South East Water is a provider of water, sewerage, trade waste and water saving services for residents and businesses in an area ranging from the South East of Melbourne to South Gippsland. We are one of Melbourne’s three water retailers owned by the Victorian Government.

For further information on South East Water please visit www.southeastwater.com.au

South East Water seeks to gain a more detailed understanding of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) supplier market and range of solutions that may be available to service South East Water’s future needs to procure ACCUs for offsetting purposes. Hence, this EOI Process may be the first stage of a multi-stage procurement process. For further information relating to the next stage (if any) of the EOI Process refer to clause 6 of Part B.2.

At South East Water, we are committed to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero by 2030, under the Statement of Obligations (Emissions Reduction) (SoO-e). set by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). We have also set an internal aim to reach net-zero emissions ahead of schedule by FY 2028, as part of our commitment to environmental conservation and carbon neutrality.

The SoO-e permits water corporations to mitigate their emissions by retiring self-generated offsets that comply with the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard (CACNS). These are offsets created by, or on behalf of, a corporation or Catchment Management Authority from activities undertaken in Victoria.

As part of our endeavour to offset our carbon footprint, we are looking to acquire ACCUs and, hence, are extending this EOI to market participants. Our minimum procurement timeframe is five years, however we are open to receiving expressions of interest that cover a longer period, such as a full 25-year crediting period. Our minimum volume requirement is 20,000 ACCUs per annum which can be sourced from a range of projects, can be delivered to us prior to FY 2028.

The objective of this EOI is to explore potential opportunities and partnerships for the acquisition of ACCUs. We invite interested and qualified entities to respond to this EOI, helping us to foster a sustainable future through viable partnerships and the acquisition of high integrity ACCUs.

South East Water is committed to procuring Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to achieve sustainability milestones, including a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2025 and net-zero emissions by 2028. We seek proposals from qualified providers to supply ACCUs from FY 2024-25.

Objectives:

• Achieve a 45% total reduction in GHG emissions by 2025,
• Attain net-zero emissions by 2028, considering both Scopes 1 and 2.

To achieve net-zero emissions by 2028 and thereafter, we will require approximately 20,000 ACCUs annually to offset our emissions. We have a current aim of securing a forward supply of ACCUs over a 10-year period from this date.

Preferences:

Our current preference is for ACCUs sourced from approved methods in the land sector, specifically focusing on:

• Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings
• Reforestation and Afforestation 2.0
• Soil Carbon
• Projects that can utilise South East Water’s resources, like recycled water.

However, we are open to all projects that involving methods currently under preparation by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water are welcome, if they are likely to gain approval.

ACCUs must be sourced from projects undertaken in Victoria.