Webinars to clear the air around amended Emissions Trading Scheme

Southlanders will soon have the opportunity to learn about the mystifying subject of the Emissions Trading Scheme directly from the horse’s mouth - and all without burning a drop of fuel.

Two web-based seminars (webinars) will be held in early February to provide the very latest information on the amended scheme. The sessions will be streamed directly from the MfE and MED, who manage the ETS and its implementation in New Zealand. People who register for the live webinars will 'attend' by logging on via their computers.

The first session in the webinar series will be at 10.00am on Tuesday 9th February and provide a broad understanding of the amended ETS,. This will be followed by a second session which will explain the 'nuts and bolts' of calculating emissions using the Emission Unit Register. The date for this second session is still being confirmed.

FutureGenz Managing Director, Carolyn Dean, said that it was extremely timely to be providing the webinars now. “The amended scheme has only just been finalised so we are very proud to provide this opportunity for Southlanders now.”

Being able to provide the seminar via people's computers was a huge step forward in terms of 'getting real' about sustainability, Ms Dean said. “Travelling around to educate people about reducing emissions is obviously counter intuitive. This webinar will demonstrate a technology that can really help New Zealand reduce its carbon footprint”.

The technology was also new to the MfE, who had required some explanations and demonstration of how the webinar would actually work, Ms Dean said.

Chamber of Commerce CEO, Richard Hay, said that staying well informed was crucial for the sustainability of Southland businesses. “Even if a business is not directly impacted by this scheme, there will certainly be a flow-on effect that will be felt by us all.” It is important for local professional service providers and those advising businesses to school up on this issue also, Mr Hay said.

The cost to attend is $50 plus GST per webinar. Anyone who is interested in attending one or both sessions, can find out more and register by visiting www.futuregenz.co.nz