ANZSIC levels
Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) system, which groups industries based on major economic activities.
- Division: The broadest level of industry categorisation.
- Subdivision: The second level, breaking divisions into narrower sectors with similar characteristics or production processes.
- Group: The third level, further refining subdivisions into specific segments.
- Class: The most detailed level, defining specific activities or production types within a group.
Baseline
The emissions limit for a facility under Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism. This threshold sets the maximum volume of greenhouse gases the facility is allowed to emit during a compliance period.
Baselines are legislated and determined by the Clean Energy Regulator, typically calculated based on the facility’s historical production levels, capacity, and emissions intensity. Exceptions include facilities in trade-exposed industries and multi-year monitoring periods.
If a facility emits more than its baseline, it must purchase credits—such as Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) or Safeguard Mechanism Credits (SMCs)—to reduce net emissions.
CO₂-e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)
A standard unit measuring the impact of greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential, expressed in tonnes. Common units: tonnes (t) or million tonnes (Mt). Read more.
Company Behind Facility
The ‘responsible emitter’ listed in Clean Energy Regulator data for each facility.
Credits
Carbon credits are units issued for projects that aim to reduce or remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
- Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) are issued under an Australian Government scheme to incentivise carbon abatement. ACCUs are tradable financial products. Facilities can use ACCUs to reduce net emissions and meet Safeguard obligations.
- Safeguard Mechanism Credits (SMCs) are units generated when a facility emits less than its baseline under the Safeguard Mechanism. Facilities can use or trade SMCs to reduce net emissions or comply with future obligations.
One ACCU / SMC represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2-e) that would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere.
Major Facility
OnlyFacts uses ‘Major Facility’ instead of ‘Safeguard Facility’. It refers to Australia’s largest polluters. A facility can be:
- An industrial site (e.g., coal mines, gas processors, aluminium smelters, manufacturers)
- Emissions or energy activities that span multiple sites (e.g., transport businesses)
- Grid-connected electricity facilities are included in ‘Major Facilities’ however are treated differently under Safeguard rules, sharing a sector-wide baseline rather than individual baselines.
Safeguard Mechanism
An Australian policy that sets baseline emissions levels for major industrial facilities. Facilities must keep net emissions below their baselines. They can meet this by buying carbon credits.
Scope 1 Emissions
Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources a company owns or controls (e.g., burning fuel, industrial processes).
Scope 2 Emissions
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, or heat used by the facility.
