CARBON NEUTRAL
National Carbon Offset Standard and Carbon Neutral Program
CASE STUDY: Jardan
Jardan Australia manufactures Australian made furniture with a commitment to socially andenvironmentally responsible design and manufacture.
In 2015, Jardan celebrated its third consecutive yearas a certified carbon neutral organisation againstthe National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). Jardanalso enjoys the honour of being Australia’s firstand only NCOS certified carbon neutral furnituremanufacturer. The certification process has been ledby the Managing Director, key managers and staff.Jardan achieved certification through various energyefficiency and waste-minimising initiatives, theacquisition of carbon offsets and a company-widefocus on sustainable practice.
The business case for carbon neutral certification
Jardan is dedicated to sustainability and is passionateabout premium, Australian made furniture. Thecompany produces environmentally friendly furniturevia a commitment to socially and ecologicallyresponsible design, manufacture and total productlifecycle. Resource efficiency and responsiblemanagement are part of Jardan’s core business.The company takes measures to address operationalchallenges including reducing the amount of rawmaterials used, minimising waste, reusing materialsand restoring and recycling old furniture, and acceptingreturns of products for reuse and/or recycling.
Achieving carbon neutral certification
Carbon footprint
Jardan’s footprint in the 2014–15 financial year was1,350 tCO2-e. The company tracks emissions over timeagainst a number of key indicators which demonstratethat whilst the operations and organisational boundaryhave increased over time, emissions intensity (tCO2-e/employee) has remained unchanged.
Emission reductions
Jardan has undertaken a number of emissionsreduction activities associated with the business,including:
• 20kW solar PV installation at Richmond show room
• Eco Driver fuel efficiency training program for staff
• Energy Efficiency Switch off campaign
• Timers on water boilers and other equipment
• Measures to reduce travel and fuel usage
• Encouraging staff to cycle to work
• Offsetting some staff travel
• Green purchasing
• Waste minimisation
• Lean manufacturing
• Measures to reduce office paper use and energy use for office equipment.
Offsetting
Jardan has adopted a conservative approach to offsetprocurement and purchase an additional 5–10% ofabatement in addition to that required to meet carbonneutrality. For example, for the reporting period2014-15, Jardan purchased an additional 51 units whichwill not be used in future reporting periods.
“ We see ourselves as a leader in the furniture industryand we continually strive to be a sustainable company.NCOS has enabled us to strengthen these positions.”
Benefits and outcomes of carbon neutral certification
Jardan is widely recognised for its sustainabilitycredentials and enjoys a position as an employerof choice for many working in the sector. Becomingcarbon neutral is the most recent achievementin a long history of environmental leadershipincluding certification for ISO14001, which providesan overarching framework for the organisation’senvironment management systems. Jardan is one ofvery few companies to have obtained Chain of Custodyfrom two of the world’s leading organisations inthis field, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) andProgramme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification(PEFC™). This provides assurance that Jardan’s woodbased products are handled and manufacturedunder strict regulations that support responsibleforest management.
Challenges and learnings
One of the key challenges to carbon neutrality is thecollection of robust data and metrics to accuratelyaccount for all emissions under the organisation’soperational control. Whilst this has been challenging,it has also identified further opportunities for cuttingcosts and emissions from within our operations.Jardan has worked collaboratively with CitizenConsulting on its climate change and sustainabilityinitiatives over a number of years. Citizen Consultinghas provided support to a number of the organisation’skey initiatives, including its ongoing carbonneutral certification. Citizen Consulting has alsodelivered a number of internal workshops to assiststaff understand how their daily roles affects theorganisation’s impacts.
Want to find out more about other organisations who are carbon neutral?