Why consider carbon farming?
Storing carbon and caring for landscapes is a key theme of the Western Australian Climate Policy which sets out the State's plan for a climate-resilient community and prosperous low-carbon future.
While agriculture is an emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also well-placed to use a range of land-based activities that help Australia meet its domestic and international emissions reduction obligations.
Carbon farming projects use legislated Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) methods that generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), a tradeable commodity. These carbon credits offer are an asset that can provide an additional income stream and environmental, social and economic co-benefits.
When assessing the viablility of a carbon farming project, the landowner should assess:
- establishment and maintenance costs
- return on investment
- administration and reporting requirements
- permanence obligations for sequestration projects (25 or 100 years)
- long term business goals and farm operations; and
- the co-benefits, such as soil health, agricultural productivity and salinity mitigation.
Further Information
Information about how to set up a carbon farming project, the ERF methods, ACCUs and co-benefits can be found on DPIRD's CF-LRP Resources page.
For queries, please email CarbonFarming@dpird.wa.gov.au.
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