Climate change response research, May to December 2009: carbon accounting survey for Swinburne Carbon Accounting alumni

The National Centre for Sustainability (NCS) at Swinburne University of Technology conducted industry research from May to December 2009, with the intention of quantifying the impact of a carbon price on small-medium enterprises (SME) and mapping the responses of different industries to the challenges of operating in and adapting to a carbon constrained economy. Their approach to the research project focused on capturing the unique insight and experiences of the country's newest workforce---the Carbon Accountants. Detailed accounts of their work informed the economic modelling and cost forecasting presented in the report 'Accounting for the cost of carbon: price for small and medium business not sky high'. The key aims of the research program were to: (1) Identify the average carbon footprints of SMEs (all sector classifications excluding electricity, gas water and waste) and forecast their potential cost exposure under the proposed CPRS; (2) Examine current levels of engagement with greenhouse gas quantification and carbon management strategies within various industry sectors; (3) Examine outcomes from undertaking carbon accounting in the workplace; and (4) Identify barriers to the implementation of carbon reduction initiatives. Research activities included random online surveys distributed to industry across Australia (369 responses). This short survey (6-7 minutes) was designed by the National Centre for Sustainability to map the responses and readiness of different industries to operate and adapt to a low carbon future. The questions have been designed to: examine outcomes from undertaking carbon accounting in the workplace; identify the key skills and knowledge which industry sectors associate with operating in a carbon constrained economy; examine current levels of industry-by-industry engagement with greenhouse gas quantification and carbon management strategies; and identify emerging industry needs in relation to carbon management, measurement and reporting skills. The data described here pertains only to results from alumni from Swinburne's Carbon Accounting course, and has been anonymised to protect the identity of the participants. Other research activities for the project included surveys of participants within Swinburne University of Technology's accredited Course in Carbon Accounting (63 responses); focus groups and interviews with the Carbon Accountants on their experiences working in industry; Aggregate (anonymous) analysis of detailed carbon footprints of over 170 businesses (across all sector classifications excluding the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste sector); and economic modelling of CPRS cost impacts to businesses of less than 200 employees. Survey responses are available from: ncs@swin.edu.au.