EnviroChart - Frequently Asked Questions - Environment Reporting made simple.

EnviroChart - FAQ

How is the application deployed and accessed?

EnviroChart is available as a secure, externally hosted solution. Alternatively EnviroChart may be installed and served alongside your existing intranet.

It is a 100% web based system. Users may authenticate using either one of the following methods: A forms based username or password (chosen by the customer), or automatically using integrated windows security (if deployed within your intranet or network).

The server may be either hosted or deployed internally and requires Windows NT 2000/2003 Server, Internet Information Server (IIS 5/6), .NET Framework, SQL Server 2000.

What data types are available?

There is no limit to the number of data types available as additional data types can be created where required. The standard data types included by the system are listed below:

Energy: Electricity, LP Gas, Natural Gas, Oil, Steam, Coal, Diesel
Waste: General Solid, Hazardous Solid, Hazardous Liquid, Recycled solid (internal and external)
Water: Purchase and Discharge
Production: Gross, Wastage and Net

Each of these data types may be enabled/disabled as applicable on a per site basis.

What is the typical data that each site will maintain and report?

The typical data types that a site will maintain include:

Energy, waste and water
CO2 conversion factors
Targets
Production unit of measure
The reporting currency (for global businesses)
The default unit of measure for reporting and data entry (including an optional user-specified unit of measure for nominated data types only).

How is data entered into the system?

The system offers several ways to enter data, either manually by an operator or imported from any third party system. Geographically dispersed companies may enter data and or costs on a bill-by-bill or site-by-site basis.

Can I upload data from external systems?

The system supports the upload of external business general ledger or ERP system data. Additionally, data may be uploaded from 3rd party energy supplier or waste management contractors.

Does it handle greenhouse gas emission calculations?

Yes; the system handles greenhouse gas emissions on a per-site, region or rollup basis following monthly and annual (fiscal or calendar year) calculations. These are represented in tabular form and graphically.

The data can be extracted to Microsoft Excel for further analysis and reporting needs.

Is there a limit to the number of sites that can access data?

There are no limitations on the number of sites that can be specified.

How secure is the data?

The data is secured and includes the following features:

Users are allocated access to edit data on a site by site basis
Only administrative users may adjust site general settings
A full audit trail is retained for all data entered, including the date of change, the value specified and the user that made the chang
Data can only be keyed by standard users within a nominated month range
EviroChart receives and proactively manages immediate mail notification of any errors in the system (including access violations or invalid access attempts)

What training materials / support is provided?

Reference manuals for both end users and system administrators are provided. Helpdesk support is available during business hours.

How much does it cost?

For information regarding licensing costs, please contact EnviroChart on 1800 68 55 98 or click here for an online demonstration.

Key "CARBON" terms

Carbon Credit:

A measure devised by the Kyoto Protocol to reduce world greenhouse gas emissions. One credit represents the elimination of a single tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which can then be sold, for example to emitters that exceed their emissions cap in the carbon trading scheme.

Carbon Footprint:

In simple terms, a measure of the greenhouse gas a person, organisation or entity emits or has caused to be emitted. It should incorporate direct emissions (e.g. emissions produced on-site) and indirect emissions (emissions that result from use or purchase of product such as airline travel).

Carbon Neutral:

A pledge to reduce net emissions to zero. Correctly done, this entails a detailed calculation of total emissions (“carbon footprint”), followed by implementation of an efficiency program to reduce as much energy use as possible (e.g. removing and/or substituting “energy hungry” sources, switching to green power, changing energy behaviour patterns). As a last resort, remaining residual emissions may be abated through an accredited carbon offset scheme.

Carbon Offset:

A unit of greenhouse gas (the equivalent of one tonne of carbon dioxide) that is saved, abated or sequestrated and then sold to compensate for the same amount emitted elsewhere. To be considered credible, an offset must satisfy certain criteria. For more details, visit www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au.

Carbon Sequestration:

Long-term storage of carbon or carbon dioxide in the forests, soils, ocean or even underground depleted oil or gas reservoirs or aquifers.

Carbon Trading:

Also known as carbon emissions trading. It is a price placed on carbon emissions, but rather than a tax it works by a “cap” being placed the amount of emissions permitted by a participating organisation. Those that cannot meet their cap are forced to either buy credits (“trade”) or reduce their emissions. Scheduled to start in Australia in 2010.

Carbon Tax:

An alternative to carbon emissions trading which, if introduced, would entail a tax on the consumption of carbon-based, non-renewable fuel such as petrol. While an emissions trading model means that the government sets the emission level to be achieved (by the “cap”), a carbon tax model means the government would add a tax for the volume of emissions generated.

Climate Change:

A gradual change in the climate because of change in the earth’s atmosphere that may include an increase in global temperature (global warming) and changes to rainfall and wind intensities. Scientific evidence has shown humans have contributed to climate change largely by burning fossil fuels. Greenhouse gas is also emitted from agriculture and land clearing. As greenhouse gasses accumulate in the atmosphere, less heat from the sun is able to be reflected. Hence, a “greenhouse” effect is created, whereby heat is trapped and the earth’s temperature increases.

Key "Carbon" Terms Source: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 2005.