República Coffee, known for its organic and Fairtrade products, has become the first Australian food company to be certified “carbon neutral” by Low Carbon Australia.

The Carbon Neutral Program is a voluntary scheme which encourages Australian businesses to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with business operations or products. The program is administered by an organization called Low Carbon Australia, on behalf of the Australian Government.

Other major Australian brands to have received the Government-backed Carbon Neutral certification for their products or services include Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, National Australia Bank, ANZ and Australian Paper.

Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, congratulated República Coffee on attaining carbon neutral status through the Australian Government-backed Carbon Neutral Program.

“In achieving certification under the National Carbon Offset Scheme Carbon Neutral Program, Republica Coffee has measured its greenhouse gas emissions, taken steps to reduce these, and committed to offset remaining emissions by cancelling carbon offsets,” Mr Drefus said.

República Coffee’s founder and director, Colombian-born former ABC journalist, Jacqueline Arias, said she saw the voluntary Carbon Neutral Program as a natural fit for her company.

“We are committed to operating a business with a social conscience, and making our range of ethical products accessible to mainstream Australia,” she said.

Low Carbon Australia CEO Meg McDonald said that to attain carbon neutrality Republica Coffee had offset its freight and logistics, and its electricity and waste emissions across its global footprint.

“The company has successfully reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by recycling paper and cardboard, changing the company vehicle to a more efficient model, reducing lighting usage, purchasing an energy efficient photocopier/printer and turning off computers when they are not in use,” she said.

For more information about the Carbon Neutral Program, visit www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au

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