Frequently Asked Questions

Aetium is a digital service that calculates and certifies carbon reductions. We make it simple to register projects that reduce net CO2 emissions like solar panels, electric vehicles, forests and trees. By providing an accessible platform, we empower individuals and organisations to be recognised and rewarded for their CO2 reductions. 

You can register the following types of projects with Aetium:

1. Solar panels 
2. Electric vehicles
3. Forest protection & rehabilitation

In the future, we will be adding additional CO2 reduction or removal categories.

Aetium provides recognition and benefit to those who are taking action in the fight against climate change caused by increasing CO2. Projects with validated CO2 reductions are converted into Aetium "Tonne CO2 Units" (TCUs) that can be held, on-sold or retired.

Aetium is an independent company that utilises technology to validate and certify CO2 reductions. Our objective is to be trusted in all circumstances to tell the truth, to protect the environment, to be conservative in all ways, and to call the numbers as they really are. Every Aetium CO2 reducing project will be bound to proven principles, data and documentation to ensure that validated projects deliver the CO2 reduction committed.

• To support people who take climate action
• To deliver trusted validation of CO2 reductions
• Recognise and reward climate action
• To reduce global warming

Aetium is proudly Australian owned, and was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2021. Aetium's founder is Christopher Ride, who previously built Australia's largest privately-owned IT company, Interactive.

Aetium acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land.

Carbon credits are a financial instrument that represents a defined reduction of CO2 emissions. Carbon credits are measured in tonnes of CO2. Carbon credits are an internationally recognised process that puts a value on reduced CO2 and allows that value to be traded.

Carbon credits set an ongoing value on reducing CO2, per tonne of CO2. Carbon credits provide a financial mechanism where we can calculate the cost of lowering of CO2 to assist in mitigating future global warming caused by CO2 emissions. Carbon credits help to break down the problem into smaller parts so we can all take action to support future CO2 reducing actions.

The acronym TCU stands for "Tonne CO2 Unit". TCUs are a digital instrument created by Aetium that represents a certified reduction of CO2 emissions over a 12-month period [measured in tonnes of CO2]. An Aetium TCU is a type of carbon credit, with a specific set of rules set by Aetium that utilises technology to ensure integrity, accuracy and credibility.  

If you own solar panels, an EV or a forest, simply log onto our website and enter your details. We will do the CO2 calculations for you - there is no commitment, and it is free to join.

By registering with Aetium, you begin the process of validating your reduced CO2 of your solar, EV or forest. Aetium certifies valid CO2 reductions and we provide TCUs as proof of the actual CO2 reduced.

You can hold, sell or retire Aetium TCUs via the Aetium Exchange. Aetium TCUs reside on a blockchain distributed ledger that provides visibility and tradability. Trading TCUs allows people and organisations that cannot adequately reduce their own CO2 emissions to buy validated CO2 reductions from people or organisations that can reduce CO2. This creates additional financial support for future CO2 reductions.

The AET Standard is periodically updated to ensure it reflects the latest science and technology. We utilise globally recognised calculation standards to ensure every Aetium TCU meets the most stringent international standards for carbon offsets and carbon credits. 

AET stands for Automated Environmental Technology. 

Voluntary carbon markets allow carbon emitters to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits or similar units from projects that reduce or remove CO2 emissions. 

Additionality is a much debated word in carbon markets. At Aetium, "additionality" means the CO2 reduction would not have occurred if the solar system, EV or forestry did not exist. 

Cap-and-trade is a concept created by various governments that gives industries or companies a limit (known as a cap) on how much CO2 they produce. If they exceed their limits, they must buy (trade) carbon credits to reduce their overall CO2 footprint to bring their company in line with the industry targets set for them. This process incentivises companies to reduce their CO2 emissions and invest in clean technologies.

There are two types of carbon credit markets: Compliance and Voluntary. The Compliance Market is legally binding for certain countries and specific companies under international agreements. The Voluntary Market is used by companies and individuals who voluntarily decide to reduce their CO2 footprint, even though they are not legally obliged to do so.

The PAVER Checklist is a regulatory framework that assists in validating carbon credits or CO2 units. The PAVER principles ensure that carbon credits meet the highest standards of rigour. 

PAVER has the following meaning:

• Permanent: ensures that the carbon credit removal or reduction is guaranteed for a certain period of time
• Additionality: the CO2 removal or reduction would not happen without the project
• Verifiable: the carbon credit can be independently verified through publicly available documentation or systems
• Enforceable: the carbon credit has established ownership with usage rules that stop double-counting
• Real: The project actually removes or reduces the CO2 claimed

The cost of a certified carbon credit in Australia is approximately $35 per tonne (ACCU price: January 2024). This value may fluctuate due to market conditions.

The value of any voluntary carbon unit is based on market drivers such as supply and demand and the quality and provenance of the individual carbon unit. Currently, there is limited supply of voluntary carbon offsets for individual buyers; this in-part is due to the high cost of certifying carbon reductions and limited access to online exchange platforms. 

Note: no guarantee is provided regarding the future value of Aetium TCUs.

The global ‘carbon credit’ or ‘carbon offset’ market is unregulated and the quality of some carbon credits has been called into question.

The five main reasons are:

1. The calculation method and efficacy for different CO2 project types can be disputed.
2. Many carbon credits project ‘future’ CO2 reductions [and there are many unknowns].
3. Projects are not well documented and there is no permanent register of information.
4. The rules that calculate the carbon credits can be changed.
   There has on occasions been documented fraud and misrepresentation in the carbon credit industry.

1. The science that calculates Aetium TCUs is confirmed.
2. Aetium projects are validated annually and retrospectively and do not project carbon reductions into the future.
3. Project registrations and validations are locked in digital certificates that cannot be altered and are available for anyone to see.
4. CO2 reduction projects are validated against AET Standards, which meet PAVER requirements.
5. Calculation modelling is periodically updated to ensure the latest science is applied.
6. Aetium documentation, policies and practices are independently audited, and project details are available.
7. TCUs cannot be duplicated and can be easily tracked on the public blockchain. 

Security remains a constant priority at Aetium. We have implemented multiple levels of data security which include authentication and access control measures, data storage encryption, web application firewall best practices, scheduled security updates and patching, CDN and DDoS mitigation services, combined with regular security audits and penetration testing. Our objective is to provide the most secure services available in the CO2 certification and carbon offset market.

An NFT is a digital certificate that stands for “Non-fungible token”, which is a digital asset built on blockchain technology. NFT’s are unique and cannot be modified once they are set, because they are stored on a decentralised digital ledger. This prevents fraud and allows the digital assets to be viewed by anyone at any time.

Global CO2 emissions directly related to the burning of fossil fuels have steadily increased from zero in the early 1700’s to 37 billion tonnes per year in 2023. Land use factors [such as converting land from native ecosystems to agricultural production, or shifts between agricultural crops] also release CO2 and add to the global CO2 emissions. In total, global CO2 emissions are currently 40 billion tonnes per year and rising.

Australian CO2 emissions directly related to the burning of fossil fuels have steadily increased from zero in the 1800’s to 392 million tonnes (2023). Including land use, Australia’s total CO2e emissions footprint is 440.2 million tonnes per year (2024: Australian Government DCCEEW ) and Australia's annual CO2 emissions represent approximately 1.5% of the global total.

Therefore, every Australian represents approximately 15.9 tonnes of CO2 per year, based on current CO2e emission levels when combined with the current green energy mix.

Australia aims to be "net zero by 2050". This means, Australia aims to balance its CO2 emissions with removal or offsetting efforts by 2050. This involves reducing emissions from sectors like energy and transportation while using methods like carbon capture, reforestation, or renewable energy to offset any remaining emissions, ultimately ensuring no net increase in the country's contribution to global warming.

Every Australian on average is responsible for 14.2 tonnes of CO2 per year directly related to the burning of fossil fuels. If a resident Australian was to retire 14.2 tonnes of Aetium TCUs per year they would effectively be carbon neutral.

To take action, each and every person should endeavour to take responsibility for their own CO2 emissions. For any shortfall, the purchase and retirement of CO2 units supports more green projects which further reduces CO2 emissions (and this diminishes the need for the burning of fossil fuels). Governments can only do so much, but ultimately it will be up to consumers to support reduced CO2 emissions. 

1. If you can, create and register projects that reduce CO2 emissions.
2. If you can’t directly reduce CO2 emissions, purchase certified carbon units to offset your own emissions.
3. Retire as many carbon units as possible.

1. To be eligible to register a project with Aetium you must be the legal (or assigned) owner of the solar systems, electric vehicle or forests.
2. The project must be located in Australia or its territories.

Every project registered with Aetium is validated retrospectively, 12-months after registration. We measure the exact CO2 benefit over the previous year, securely document the results, and provide the evidence.

To avoid double-counting, projects registered with Aetium will not be validated if they are registered with another CO2 certification provider.

You can cancel Aetium registered projects at any time [via the member portal].

If you have any concerns about the validity or credibility of a registered or approved Aetium project, please submit your concerns.

Project registration costs will be FREE until 1 July 2025.

The standard cost of registering a project with Aetium is $24.95. The registration price increases based on the CO2 reduction size of the project.

The registration fee covers the entire cost of documenting and certifying a project - there are no additional costs. Validating CO2 reductions requires strict compliance, independent verification and secure (ongoing) documentation. Until now, the cost of validating smaller projects has not been possible and the validation costs have outweighed the benefit.

Validating CO2 reductions requires strict compliance, independent verification and secure (ongoing) documentation. The registration cost covers the project administration, digital platform costs, digital certificates, external validation, digital images and audit expenses.

Aetium uses the latest technology, proven science, third-party data connectors and digital images, blockchain and proprietary systems to securely validate CO2 reductions.

You can elect to retire TCUs via the Aetium Exchange. Retired TCUs are listed on the Aetium Registry which forever recognises your investment in lowering CO2 emissions. Retiring Aetium TCUs sets the TCU value to $0 (which means it can no longer be traded) and this shows the world that you have paid for the retired CO2 reductions. 

Aetium receives revenue from registration fees, and 7% of the TCU CO2 value when a project is certified [example: if a 10 tonne project is certified, 9.3 tonnes in TCUs will be allocated to the project owner and 0.7 tonnes in TCUs will be allocated to Aetium]. If a project is sold to a buyer via the Aetium Exchange in $AUD or other currency, Aetium will charge 2.5% of the total transaction cost as a processing fee. Note: there is no charge for retiring a TCU.  

By retiring TCUs you permanently lock in the CO2 reduction against your name. Retired TCUs will be permanently registered on the Aetium Register, forever documenting your investment in reducing CO2 emissions.

1. If the project is determined to deliver less CO2 reduction than originally anticipated. Note: If a lesser CO2 reduction is determined, the lesser CO2 amount will be certified.
2. You are no longer the project owner at the time of validation.
3. Your project is registered with another carbon credit or carbon offset provider.
4. There is fraud or misrepresentation of some kind.
5. You fail to comply with the Aetium validation program

Note: Aetium retains the right to deny certification of a TCU for any valid reason. The credibility of Aetium TCUs is a priority.

Your project registration fee is non-refundable.

Yes, you can re-register your project for another 12-month period. If your project has been successfully validated you will be given the option to automatically re-register.

If you sell your project (example: you sell your electric vehicle) you can transfer the project to a new owner, if they agree. The new owner will benefit from any validated TCUs for the project period. If you are not the registered owner at the time of validation, you are not eligible to receive any TCUs for the project period.

Note: we must confirm you are the owner of any project at the time of validation.

You are not locked in.

At any time, you can log into the member portal to manage your details, see the status of your project(s) and how much CO2 they are reducing, or you can cancel a project. There are no lock in contracts, and you can opt out anytime.

By registering your Solar Project with Aetium, you are documenting your reduced CO2 emissions for every single kilowatt your solar panels produce. Solar panels are a highly effective method of taking action to reduce CO2 levels, especially in countries like Australia which rely heavily on coal and gas for electricity generation. Every kilowatt of electricity produced by solar panels negates the need for burning fossil fuels. We calculate exactly how much CO2 is avoided, based on the emissions footprint of the particular state you live in. Each state has its own mix of coal, gas and renewable electricity available – we take this mix into account to accurately determine the CO2 reduction your solar panels deliver.

Registering your Solar Panels with Aetium independently documents the actions you are taking to reduce CO2 emissions. Verified CO2 emissions make you eligible to receive carbon units (TCUs) for every tonne of CO2 that you reduce.

The calculation of CO2 reductions derived from the ongoing use of solar panels is calculated based on the following information:

• Panel type, number, wattage
• Grid power generation mix
• kW of power generated per annum
• Grid power CO2 emissions intensity per kilowatt
• Age of solar panels
• Battery backup relative to generation
• Geolocation
• Export limits
• Overshadowing

By registering your electric vehicle (EV) with Aetium, you are documenting your reduced CO2 emissions for every single kilometer your vehicle drives. Electric vehicles require more CO2 emissions during manufacture, but they use far less CO2 emissions over their lifetime due to their high efficiency (regardless of the source of electricity). If you use green power to charge your vehicle, you are doing even more to reduce CO2 emissions. Using green power in an EV is the most effective way to reduce CO2 emissions. Every kilometer your EV drives negates the need to burn fossil fuels.

We calculate exactly how much CO2 is avoided, based on the emissions produced by a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, also taking into account the electricity emissions intensity of the particular state you live in. Each state has its own mix of coal, gas and renewable electricity available – we take this mix into account to accurately determine the CO2 footprint of the electricity you are using to power your EV. If you purchase or generate green electricity (example: with solar panels) for your Electric Vehicle, we calculate that also. We also take into account the lifecycle CO2 of your EV by calculating the embodied CO2 required to manufacture, the CO2 impact of ongoing maintenance, and the CO2 impact of EV disposal. Our objective is to get the most accurate calculation of the CO2 you have avoided by driving your EV.

The calculation of CO2 reductions from the use of electric (EV) is calculated based on the following information:

• Type of vehicle
• Kilometres driven
• Embodied CO2 for manufacture
• CO2 required to maintain
• CO2 required to dispose of vehicle
• Grid power generation mix % of EV use
• Grid power CO2 emissions intensity per kilowatt
• Other green power inputs
• Comparable combustion engine (petrol) vehicle of the same class and engine output used as a reference for fuel emissions per kilometre when driven on the same basis

At this time, you can only register FULL Electric vehicles with Aetium.

Our research indicates that Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), when operated effectively, reduce CO2 emissions. We expect to add select PHEVs to our certification platform in the future.

By registering your forestry project, you are documenting your CO2 reduction for every tree you own and protect. You can also be recognised for planting additional native trees in areas that were once forested. Growing mature Australian trees is one of the most effective methods of taking action to reduce CO2 levels, because native Australian trees are fast-growing and sequester significant levels of CO2. Australia is a bushfire prone country and this can affect CO2 emissions. Any bushfire events related to your trees will be calculated into your overall CO2 reduction totals. In exactly 12-months we will retrospectively validate that your forestry project reduced CO2 emissions. To accurately determine the CO2 benefit of your trees, we must accurately calculate the mortality (natural or otherwise) or removal of any registered trees. Mature trees are a precious resource in the fight to reduce global CO2 levels.

The calculation of CO2 emissions sequestered by forests is calculated based on the following information:

• Type and number of trees
• Age and species
• Number of mature trees
• Tree canopy area
• Reforestation
• Geolocation
• Mortality data
• How trees are disposed
• Bushfire and drought data
• Land topography and history

You can remove any trees registered with Aetium, and we will not tell you what you can do with your trees or your property. We require you to document the removal of mature trees so we can accurately determine the total CO2 impact of the trees you own and protect.