Build Neutral Frequently Asked Questions 1 .
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W H Y H AV E F R A S E R S P R O P E R T Y A U S T R A L I A C R E AT E D
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H O W D O W E C A L C U L AT E T H E C A R B O N E M I S S I O N S F O R A N
THIS OPPORTUNIT Y?
INDIVIDUAL HOME?
Frasers Property recognises and respects the concerns that our customers have for the environment and our planet. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we continually strive to find a better way of conducting our business. This includes a focus on not just reducing impacts on the planet and people’s lives, but also how we can enhance them and leave the world a better place. We know this focus is something that we share with our customers. We also recognise that reducing carbon emissions is one very significant way that many of our customers would like to contribute towards materially benefiting the global community. Additionally, the outcomes being achieved by the various carbon offset opportunities are beneficial for the planet beyond simply carbon reduction. Consistent with this approach, we have taken steps as a business to reduce and offset our carbon emissions, and have been operating in a certified carbon neutral status since 2015.
The carbon emissions for each home have been calculated by accounting for carbon associated with both the building materials and construction process. All carbon associated with the extraction, processing, transport and production of the homes have been included. This process is referred to as a Life Cycle Assessment.
W H AT I S ‘ C A R B O N N E U T R A L’ A N D H O W D O E S I T W O R K FOR MY HOME? ‘Carbon neutral’ means that the carbon emissions of a process or product, in this case your home, have been calculated and then reduced where possible. All remaining emissions that couldn’t be eliminated are then offset by investing in carbon offset projects. The end result is a product that has no net impact on increasing carbon emissions, hence it is ‘neutral’. Emission reduction activities have been undertaken in the design of Minnippi Quarter, including using lower emissions materials where possible, e.g. using fibre cement panels instead of brick wall construction, which emits a lower amount of carbon in its manufacturing process.
All calculations have been completed in line with Australian Standards. 4.
W H AT I S C A R B O N O F F S E T T I N G A N D H O W D O E S I T W O R K ? Carbon offsetting involves investing in projects around the world that will counter the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere by a measurable and verifiable amount. This compensates or ‘offsets’ the amount of carbon emitted from activities such as building a home or producing electricity. Individual carbon offset projects around the world are being set up thanks to carbon finance provided by individuals and organisations offsetting their emissions. These projects include renewable energy generation, improving energy efficiency, reducing deforestation and planting more trees. The projects that Frasers Property have chosen to support meet international standards for generating carbon reductions. Carbon offset projects focus on activities that remove carbon from the atmosphere, such as forest planting initiatives, or projects that help avoid future carbon emissions caused by land clearing. Carbon offsetting projects also focus on providing livelihoods for communities or individuals and result in positive social and environmental outcomes.
For a home to be carbon neutral, carbon offsets need to be purchased to offset the emissions that we couldn’t eliminate through design, material selection and technology alone.
SALES & DISPL AY CENTRE
193 Fursden Road, Carina Qld 4152 13 38 38 • mquarter.com.au
@minnippiquarter @minnippiquarter
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W H AT D O E S T H I S M E A N F O R Y O U ? When you Build Neutral at Minnippi Quarter you are purchasing a house that has no net impact on the climate and contributes towards improving the lives of communities in Queensland and communities overseas. Certification by Climate Active means that your home is meeting the highest standards in carbon neutrality. Frasers Property has ensured that all carbon emissions reductions have been made where possible and offsets that meet the highest integrity criteria have been purchased to ‘offset’ the remainder.
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W H AT I S C L I M AT E A C T I V E ? Climate Active is a partnership between the Australian Government and Australian businesses to increase voluntary climate action. The Climate Active program and Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard supports and guides businesses as they account for and reduce carbon emissions. Offsets used by Climate Active certified businesses must meet stringent integrity criteria that results in genuine carbon abatement. Climate Active carbon neutral certification is one of the most rigorous in the world and has been recognised by the European Union Commission and the World Bank as a mature and effective model to help businesses and incentivise emission reductions.
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HOW ARE THE OFFSE T CONTRIBUTIONS BEING USED? When you Build Neutral at Minnippi Quarter, you are helping to support farmers in Queensland and overseas communities. The programs that we have selected to support are as follows: HUMAN-INDUCED REGENERATION, QUEENSLAND: this project supports Queensland farmers to create alternative revenue streams by restoring native vegetation regeneration on marginal and degraded agricultural land. By excluding stock and managing pests in these areas, this regenerated vegetation sequesters 88,000 tonnes of carbon over 27,000 hectares. https://a.southpole.com/public/media/302610/2610.pdf KARIBA FOREST PROTECTION, ZIMBABWE: the Kariba project was first established in 2011 and since then has prevented more than 18 million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere. With a focus on preventing deforestation and land degradation across a 785,000 hectare area, the project supports regional sustainable development and the independence of local communities. Activities include workshops around nutritional gardening, safe water access, health clinics, and training sessions. 40% of participants are women working in agriculture, education and project management. https://a.southpole.com/public/media/300990/0990.pdf
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W H Y H AV E W E C H O S E N T O S U P P O R T B O T H A U S T R A L I A N AND OVERSE A S PROJEC TS? Carbon emissions do not respect international borders; as the carbon enters the atmosphere, it spreads out into the global atmosphere. This means that 1 tonne of carbon emissions emitted here in Australia is the same as 1 tonne of carbon being emitted overseas. This is why we can compensate carbon emissions through supporting projects in other nations.
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W H AT I S T H E P R O C E S S F O R TA K I N G PA R T I N T H E B U I L D N E U T R A L I N I T I AT I V E W I T H F R A S E R S P R O P E R T Y ? You can elect to ‘opt-in’ to offset the carbon emissions associated with the construction of your home at contract signing, during construction or post construction of your home.
10. HOW ARE FUNDS TR ANSFERRED TO THE RECIPIENTS? Frasers Property has entered into an agreement to purchase carbon credits or ‘offsets’ from groups who reduce the amount of carbon in the environment through various emission reduction activities. By participating in the scheme purchasers are supporting Frasers Property in procuring these credits, ensuring these carbon reduction activities can continue. The groups undertaking these activities are compensated to the exact same amount to which customers pay Frasers Property for offsetting. All carbon emissions reductions calculations and amounts have been independently audited, and the process is certified by Climate Active, an Australian Government-backed initiative that guides and certifies carbon neutrality. 1 1 . W H AT I S M I N N I P P I Q U A R T E R ’ S W I D E R C O M M I T M E N T TO S US TAINAB I LI T Y ? Further to our Build Neutral initiative, the terrace home precinct at Minnippi Quarter is targeting a 5 Star Green Star Communities rating, awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia and representing Australian Excellence for sustainable communities. The development aims to improve liveability, environmental outcomes, economic prosperity and sustainable governance for all residents. For more, see: https://www.mquarter.com.au/sustainability 1 2 . W H AT I S F R A S E R S P R O P E R T Y ’ S W I D E R C O M M I T M E N T T O S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y ? Frasers Property has committed to a set of holistic targets as part of A Different Way. A Different Way is how we, at Frasers Property, talk about our vision for a more sustainable future. It’s our commitment to creating places where resources are reused, recycled and restored. It’s where new ideas are fostered to support people and the planet, and where we take initiative to help people lead better, healthier lives. For more, see: https://www.frasersproperty.com.au/a-different-way 13. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FRASERS PROPERTY’S CLIMATE ACTIVE PROFILE: https://www.climateactive.org.au/buy-climate-active/certifiedmembers/frasers-property-australia CLIMATE ACTIVE WEBSITE: https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/government/climateactive SOUTH POLE CARBON CREDITS: https://www.southpole.com/sustainability-solutions/carbon-credits
Supporting and encouraging more and more projects like these around the world through finance initiatives similar to this is a significant part of reducing global emissions. The information and images in this brochure are intended as a general introduction to Build Neutral at Minnippi Quarter and do not form an offer, guarantee or contract. Please note that whilst reasonable care is taken to ensure that the contents of this brochure are correct, this information is to be used as a guide only. The developer reserves the right to amend the details of the initiative due to unforeseen constraints and or legal requirements. Purchasers must rely on their own enquiries and the Public Disclosure Statement.
SALES & DISPL AY CENTRE
193 Fursden Road, Carina Qld 4152 13 38 38 • mquarter.com.au
@minnippiquarter @minnippiquarter