Soil Carbon

Soil carbon projects under the Australian Emissions Reductions Fund (ERF) and many international frameworks typically share some key components:

• Verification of “usual” farming practices over a baseline period (5-10 years prior to project start depending on practice – refer to Appendix 1 – Decision Tree).
• Adoption of a new land management practice with the reasonable expectation that soil carbon will increase – commonly referred to as an “additionality” requirement.
• Other eligibility requirements are met.
• Soil sampling at the start of the project, return sampling at regular intervals (2-5 years), and sampling at the end of the project.
• Project duration of either 25 years or 100 years.

Farming practice changes that are eligible for ACCUs under the ERF “Measurement of soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems method” include:

1. applying nutrients to the land in the form of a synthetic or non-synthetic fertiliser to address a material deficiency;
2. applying lime to remediate acid soils;
3. applying gypsum to remediate sodic or magnesic soils;
4. undertaking new irrigation;
5. re-establishing or rejuvenating a pasture by seeding;
6. establishing, and permanently maintaining, a pasture where there was previously no pasture, such as on cropland or bare fallow;
7. altering the stocking rate, duration or intensity of grazing;
8. retaining stubble after a crop is harvested;
9. converting from intensive tillage practices to reduced or no tillage practices;