ON THE BLOG: Counting carbon and taking action

What do I do?

I wear a few different hats to make this happen. I’m the co-founder of NetNada, a software company that helps businesses understand and report on their sustainability performance and climate resilience, and one of the directors of Pharmacycle, Australia's only end-to-end recycling solution for medicinal blister packs. If you live in Waverley, you’ve likely seen our collection points!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me swimming, playing rugby or volunteering as a lifeguard or organising the Climate Crew, a national community for people interested in sustainability work with WhatsApp channels and in person events.

At 25, I was honored to receive an Australian Global Talent visa, and I’m ambitious about using that opportunity to democratize sustainability for our local community.

What is carbon accounting and why does it matter?

To understand carbon accounting, we first need to understand the "Greenhouse Effect." Think of our planet like a giant greenhouse, similar to one you might see in a community garden. When sunlight hits the Earth, it warms the land and oceans. That heat then bounces back toward space, but a layer of gases in our atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, traps some of it. These “greenhouse gases” keep our planet warm and cozy enough for life to exist. Without them, we wouldn’t be here!

The problem is that for a long time, humans have been burning "stored" carbon (like oil, coal, and gas) and clearing forests. This releases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. It’s like adding extra layers of glass to the greenhouse; it traps too much heat, causing the planet to warm up and disrupting our weather, oceans, and ecosystems.

Carbon accounting is simply the process of measuring how much of these greenhouse gas emissions we are releasing. Thanks to researchers at institutions like UNSW, we now have "carbon numbers" (known as emission factors) for almost every activity. This makes it easy to see where we are over-spending our "carbon budget" and where we can save.

Who is doing carbon accounting?

More and more entities and organisations are counting and reporting their emissions. Waverley Council report annually on their progress reducing emissions to Net Zero (see page 51), and already many Australian companies must undertake carbon accounting for their annual reports, under mandatory climate-related financial disclosures. Globally, these requirements are starting with the largest corporations, but they are rolling out to include companies with 100 to 250 employees. This means the place where you work might be doing this exercise right now! It’s a great time to put your hand up and help out. You don't need to be a scientist to contribute to your workplace's "green" goals.

This shift to mandatory sustainability reporting is a huge win for us, as consumers. As more companies measure their impact, we’ll eventually get better data on the products we buy. Imagine seeing a "carbon rating" on a box of pasta or a pair of shoes, similar to the Health Star Rating we see on food today. Businesses and investors are already starting to use these numbers to decide which products are better for the future, and soon, we’ll all have that same power in our hands at the supermarket.

While emissions reporting can get complex, if you can add and multiply, you can measure your own emissions. You might decide to do this simply out of curiosity or because you want to understand how your specific lifestyle - like the clothes you buy or the way you commute - affects the atmosphere. Knowing your number is a powerful tool; it helps you educate others and makes it much easier to decide where to make changes in your own life.

How do our choices influence our footprint?

Everything we do has a "carbon number" associated with it. It’s not about being "good" or "bad"; it’s about managing a budget.

If you’ve ever tracked calories to reach a health goal, you already understand carbon accounting. Just as some foods are more "calorie-dense" than others, some activities are more "carbon-intensive." For example:

• Travel and Transport: Flying overseas is very carbon-intensive because of the massive amount of fuel required to move a heavy plane across the world. For shorter trips, active transport is a game-changer. Whenever I choose to walk or cycle to the beach instead of driving, I’m essentially "saving" carbon for my budget. Even opting for the bus or light rail makes a big difference because the carbon cost is shared among many people

• Your Home Appliances: The way we cook and stay warm matters. Transitioning from gas to electric appliances, like induction cooktops or heat-pump hot water systems, significantly lowers your footprint—especially as Australia’s electricity grid moves toward 100% renewable energy. It’s like switching to a more "fuel-efficient" way of running your life.

• The Food We Toss: This one surprises many people, but food waste is a huge carbon contributor. When food ends up in a normal landfill, it rots and releases methane, a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide. By using your FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin or composting at home, you’re preventing those gases from entering the atmosphere.

• Your Money: This is a big one! Banks and superannuation funds use your money to invest in businesses. Some invest in coal and gas, while others focus on renewable energy or sustainable farming. Where you keep your money tells a story about your carbon impact.

How can someone learn more?

If you're ready to start learning you can ask your employer if they have any training available or check out the NetNada Academy that offers videos and courses too. You can check out the Waverley Council website for local initiatives like Compost revolution or Energy Smart Business grants, if you want to see how your workplace can get involved.

The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to be perfect. Just like a financial budget, the goal is to be aware of where your "spending" goes so you can make informed choices for a better future.

OTHER LINKS

Council has resources and support available to help our community achieve Net Zero emissions by 2035. To find out more about local Climate Action visit Second Nature Climate Action Opportunities

Also it’s Climate Action Month in Sydney. Check here for Sydney wide events and talks. Or register for a local Waverley Council supported event:

• Circular Economy Collage 5.30-8.30pm, Monday 9 March @ Boot Factory, Mill Hill Centre
• Managing Risk and Building Resilience 12.30-2pm, Wednesday 11 March @ Yalagang Room, Bondi Pavilion
• Solar and Battery Information Night 6 - 7.15pm, Thursday 12 March @ Boot Factory, Mill Hill Centre