An introduction to carbon farming in Western Australia

Page last updated: Monday, 22 January 2024 - 1:34pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Carbon farming refers to the land-based activities that store carbon in vegetation and soil (sequestration), or minimise the release of greenhouse gases from livestock, soil or vegetation (avoidance).  These activities can generate tradeable carbon credits that farmers can use to offset their carbon footprint or provide a secondary income stream.

Support and funding

The WA Government supports carbon farming through funding initiatives such as the WA Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program (CF-LRP),  the Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program and the provision of education and outreach workshops and materials.

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 ACCU Scheme (formerly the Emissions Reduction Fund, ERF) methods that generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), a tradeable commodity. These carbon credits are an asset that can provide an additional income stream alongside environmental, social and economic co-benefits.

When assessing the viability of a carbon farming project, the landowner should consider:

  • 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.

The Key Steps - Establishing a Carbon Farming Project guide written for the CF-LRP is a useful resource for anyone considering a carbon farming project, whether or not they are also interested in appling for funding.

Further information

Click here to view other DPIRD webpages related to carbon farming.  

Information about how to set up a carbon farming project, the ERF methods, ACCUs and co-benefits can be found on the CF-LRP Resources page. 

For queries, please email CarbonFarming@dpird.wa.gov.au.

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