Australian Government in Search of ‘Carbon Accounting’ Software

A general view of smoke rising from the the steelworks in Wollongong, Australia, on Feb. 1, 2021. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

The Australian government is looking for carbon accounting software to facilitate its transition to net zero.

In a recently published RFI (Request for Information) document on the government’s tender portal AusTender, the Finance Department stated that it was seeking information about “potential solutions” that could collect, store, account, manage, and report data related to greenhouse gas emissions, climate-related disclosures, emissions reduction activities, and the tracking and usage of carbon offsets.

The required software or digital platform also needs to be able to capture and process information about energy usage, domestic business flights, and fleet vehicle use.

In addition, the department is looking for information about design, architecture, and methodology that could help the government develop a platform or a system that could satisfy the above requirements.

The deadline for the submission of information from the public is Dec. 20.

While the document is not a request for tender or a procurement order, it shows that the government is actively seeking to strengthen its net zero emissions reporting, which is an essential part of its plan to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.

Government’s Strategy to Reduce Carbon Emissions

In the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy report (pdf), the federal government outlined its approach to reducing the carbon emissions of its agencies (excluding defence and security agencies) to net zero by 2030.

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At the core of the strategy, the government plans to cut down the energy consumption of various departments through energy management strategies and improving efficiencies.

Federal agencies are also being asked to find opportunities to replace gas with electricity, and minimise net zero transition costs.

At the same time, the government wants to boost renewable energy generation capacity while rapidly phasing out coal and gas.

It has set a target of procuring 80 percent of the national electricity grid’s power from renewable sources by Jan. 1, 2028, and 100 percent by Jan. 1, 2030.

Creating “net zero buildings” is also a focus as properties have been earmarked as a main driver of electricity and natural gas consumption, which contributes to carbon emissions.

The government said the most “achievable and cost-effective approach” to reduce emissions of government buildings and properties was improving energy efficiency and electrification.

As such, it had set various targets for federal agencies to follow.

For example, by Jan. 1, 2035, all office space owned by government entities needs to have a 5.5 star or higher NABERS Energy rating.

The government also required its agencies to lease or own office space that is all-electric by Jan. 1, 2040.

Other approaches outlined in the report included boosting the government’s electric vehicle fleet, procuring assets that facilitate the net zero transition, and reducing official travel.