Corporate Social Responsibility

The Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria (CCC) continues to roll out a range of initiatives and strategies aimed at reducing environmental impacts and ensuring its standing as a responsible corporate citizen.

In 2010, Pangolin Associates Pty Ltd were commissioned to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accountable to the operations of CCC for the financial year FY 2010/11.

Based on best available data, the estimated net total carbon emissions for CCC was 1,397.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (tCO2-e). This total includes indirect contributions along the supply chain (Scope 3 emissions) and any voluntary carbon credit and renewable GreenPower purchases.

The minimum reportable emissions for CCC was 860.4 tCO2-e, as defined by Scopes 1 and 2 emissions covered under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (NGER Act). Total energy consumption was 8.7 terajoules (TJ).

CCC’s assessment results are summarised below. A comparison of the individual sector contributions to gross GHG emissions revealed that ‘Utilities’ was the largest contributor, at 658.9 tCO2-e (47.1% of gross GHG Protocol emissions).

The principal activity contributing to GHG emissions in this sector was ‘Electricity’ consumption, from a total of 470,246 kWh per annum (35.7% of gross GHG Protocol emissions).

 

Primary statement of GHG emissions and energy consumption
for Catholic Cemeteries & Crematoria
Summary of GHG emissions for the FY 2010/11
Operational Boundary Associated Inventory/Service: (tCO2-e/yr)
Scope 1 Natural Gas, Transport Fuels, Stationary Fuels

440.6
Scope 2 Purchased Electricity   419.8

419.8
Scope 3 Equipment, Employee Services, Flights, Third Party Services, Off-site Waste Disposal, Transmission & Distribution losses, Fuel Extraction, Production & Distribution losses, other Utilities

537.5
GROSS TOTAL 1,2

1,397.9
Credits a

0.0
GHG Protocol
(Scope 1, 2 & 3)

NET TOTAL 1,2

1,397.9
NGER (Scope 1 & 2) 8.7                          TJ NET TOTAL 1,2

860.4

1. Includes numerical rounding to one decimal point. Table columns and figure percentages may not sum due to rounding.

2. Scope 1 & 2 emissions are tabulated according to the proposed National Carbon Offset Standard for the relevant reporting period.

Managing these emissions and related resource usage is a primary concern for CCC.

 

Measures implemented to date include:

  • Comprehensive assessment of all waste streams.
  • Ground maintenance green waste composted for usage on site.
  • Increased water storage capacity.
  • Storm water runoff captured to reduce consumption by 60%.
  • Energy contracts put in place to lock in tariff and network charges, and minimise future service cost increases.
  • Automated, insulated and highly efficient cremation ovens in place to reduce manual handling, heat losses and energy use.
  • Rehabilitation of Crown land in partnership with the State Government.
  • Installation of LED lights throughout crypt complexes. Energy efficient lighting will potentially reduce electricity use by 117 MWh annually. This equates to reducing emissions by 125 tCO2-e, or taking 32 cars off the road.
  • Mounting a 40 to 50kW solar photovoltaic array to the roof of the crypt complex. The solar initiative will saves approximately 30% of current electricity use. This equates to 130 tCO2-e annually, or taking 34 cars off the road.
  • Promotion of natural burial sites to reduce materials and energy consumption.

 

Ongoing initiatives:

  • Exploring more opportunities to rehabilitate Crown land and restore biodiversity. With these measures, and increasingly accurate and reliable measurement and monitoring practices, CCC will continue to reduce its ecological footprint.