ABC Carbon Resources

Carbon Farming is an agricultural approach to land management with the aim of sequestering carbon from the atmosphere to store in the soil and/or vegetation.

Carbon Farming markets (Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme) can be engaged in by individuals, businesses owners, land-owners, farmers, and government agencies. Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) are classified as ‘financial products’ under the Corporations Act 2001, which often results in the need of a Financial Services Licence to buy, sell and trade in the carbon market. These services can be provided by a third party who can act on your behalf in these transactions.

There is no minimum land size to begin Carbon Farming. However, the practice requires a substantial amount of land (i.e. greater than 200 hectares) to begin producing saleable carbon credits to generate financially viable projects. The greater the land size, the greater opportunity you have to begin Carbon Farming to generate credits and reduce the cost of carbon farming management costs per hectare. One tonne of carbon sequestered is equal to one carbon credit.

Carbon Farming projects require land-owner permission, however as a farmer, business operator or individual, you may work on behalf of a land-owner for Carbon Farming projects.

Carbon sequestration can be achieved by trapping carbon in the soil (through soil amendments), through the growing of vegetation, change of land uses (ie. Cattle grazing to native forest), technology, the avoidance of land clearing, and more. The most common approach to Carbon Farming is via the planting of previously cleared land to establish as a permanent forest (minimum 20 years).

Australian Carbon Credit Units are often purchased by businesses and by the state or commonwealth government in ventures to reduce their carbon footprint or ventures to become carbon neutral. This can occur through the establishment of a fixed commercial agreement, or via the Australia Carbon Marketplace.

Carbon Farming has many environmental benefits. Reducing the atmospheric carbon (carbon dioxide) reduces the volumes of green house gases which are responsible for the warming of our climate. Thus, Carbon Farming has a vital role to play in the plight against global warming. Focusing on trapping soil carbon results in less soil erosion, improves soil structure and fertility, reduces soil salinity, and supports biodiversity. Carbon Farming is an environmentally responsible approach to land management with great outcomes for flora and fauna.

Participants will be required to attend a monthly educational workshop, delivered online. This will include guest speakers, feature successful Carbon Farming projects across Australia, and will provide clarity around participation in the Australian Carbon Farming market. Participants will also be required to participate in face-to-face workshops every quarter where site specific project options will be developed, vetted and implemented. Participants must have legal ownership or access to the land proposed for projects, and have a keen interest in entering the Carbon Farming space.