Soil Carbon Farming in New South Wales
Every State in Australia differs slightly when it comes to soil carbon farming.
How is New South Wales different?
Firstly, what is soil carbon farming?
- Soil carbon farming is a form of soil management that focuses on increasing the organic matter content and soil health of agricultural land. This method has been gaining traction in recent years, particularly in Queensland, as a way to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Through soil carbon farming, farmers can also earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) which can be used to offset their emissions or sold for profit. In this article we will explore what soil carbon farming is and how it works.
- Soil organic carbon (SOC) refers to the amount of organic matter present in soil; it acts as an important factor in soil fertility and structure. By increasing the level of soil organic matter, farmers are able to improve soil quality while at the same time sequestering additional amounts of atmospheric CO2 into their soils through photosynthesis from plants grown on their farms. This process can increase crop yields, and improve grazing while also helping reduce global warming potential as more CO2 is removed from the atmosphere than was emitted during production activities such as ploughing or fertilizing with synthetic nitrogen fertiliser products.
- In order for farmers to qualify for ACCUs they must meet certain criteria related to conservation tillage practices, soil carbon sequestration and soil health gains. These criteria are established by the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) and must be met in order for farmers to earn ACCUs on their soil carbon farming activities. Once soil carbon levels have been increased on a farm, independent verification must be employed to prove the amount of soil organic matter present in the soil before any ACCUs can be issued.
- Soil carbon farming has the potential to both mitigate climate change and improve soil health, while at the same time earning farmers economic incentives through ACCUs. It is a win-win for farmers, soil health and the environment as it allows for increased soil fertility, improved soil structure and water retention, and increased soil carbon sequestration.
Soil carbon farming in New South Wales
Last year, the NSW Government’s Treasurer Matt Kean announced that primary producers and landholders in NSW (responsible for the generation of around 14 percent of total emissions) will be a significant player in helping the State meet it’s emissions reduction goal of 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2050 (SMH 17/22).
There are two key points
- Producers will have an incentive to reduce their own emissions by employing newer low-emissions technologies and methods
- Producers with the right mix of land and location will be able to improve the resilience of their businesses via an additional income stream via carbon farming.
This will not only provide an avenue to reduce the State’s net emissions, but also represent a significant economic opportunity for the agricultural and land management sectors in NSW. CarbonLink has been working with NSW producers and landholders in the regions to develop strategies for successful entry into carbon farming, while also helping producers understand the associated regulations, technologies, markets and risks. We have also been helping to facilitate collaborative projects between producers and other key stakeholders such as governments or research institutes.
The fundamentals of soil carbon
Business Development Manager Charlie Hawkins explains the basic principles of soil carbon farming.
What’s an ACCU?
The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is a Government fund setup to purchase Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). It helps Australia meet its emission reduction targets. One ACCU represents 1 tonne of CO2 emissions avoided or sequestered. An ERF soil carbon project enables a producer to generate ACCUs and sell them to the Government, companies or private buyers. Projects generate ACCUs by implementing new eligible management practices that sequester carbon into the soil. One tonne of Soil Organic Carbon sequestered is equivalent to 3.66 tonnes of CO2.
What projects qualify?
- Altering the stocking rate, duration, and/or intensity of grazing to promote soil vegetation cover and/or improve soil health.
- Applying nutrients to the land in the form of a synthetic or non-synthetic fertiliser to address a material deficiency.
- Applying lime to remediate acid soils.
- Applying gypsum to remediate sodic or magnesic soils.
- Undertaking new irrigation.
- Re-establishing or rejuvenating a pasture by seeding or pasture cropping.
- Re-establishing, and permanently maintaining, a pasture where there was previously no or limited pasture, e.g., on cropland or bare fallow.
- Retaining stubble after a crop is harvested.
- Converting from intensive tillage practices to reduced or no tillage practices.
- Modifying landscape or landform features to remediate land.
- Using legume species in cropping or pasture systems.
- Using cover crops to promote soil vegetation cover and/or improve soil health.
Soil Carbon Farming Team New South Wales
Our soil carbon farming team in New South Wales are highly trained and experienced in developing soil carbon opportunities for producers across a wide range of landscapes. We’re always on the road visiting producers and are only too happy to drop by to answer any questions you may have.
Complete the enquiry form or call 1800 97 87 24
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