CarbonLink welcomes the release of the Australian Government’s Soil Organic Carbon Method review, describing it as an important step in the continued maturation of Australia’s soil carbon industry.
The review delivers greater clarity around how soil carbon projects will be measured, credited and administered into the future, while reaffirming the Government’s ongoing support for soil carbon as a legitimate and valuable source of emissions abatement.
The announcement comes at a significant moment for the sector. Australian soil carbon projects have now surpassed one million hectares under active management, with 933 registered projects operating across the country and more than 438,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) already issued from verified soil carbon outcomes.
For CarbonLink CEO and Soil Carbon Industry Group (SCIG) Co-Chair Chris McCosker, the review reflects the natural evolution of a rapidly growing industry.
“The soil carbon industry has developed rapidly over the past decade, supported by significant investment from farmers, government and industry.”
“This review gives us an opportunity to build on the lessons learned, strengthen confidence in the Method and ensure soil carbon projects continue to deliver environmental, economic and productivity benefits for Australian landholders.”
Australia’s soil carbon sector has grown from just six registered projects in 2015 to more than 933 projects today, making it one of the largest and most advanced soil carbon markets in the world.
What are the outcomes of the Soil Method review?
Release of the Australian Government’s Periodic Review of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems) Methodology Determination 2021 (Soil Carbon Method) considered whether the current Soil Carbon 2021 Method exceeds the six Offset Integrity Standards (OIS), which are the legislative standards underpinning the integrity of the ACCU scheme.
The review found potential to improve the conservativeness of estimating soil carbon levels by adopting four recommendations:
- Implement a cap of 3t of soil organic carbon (tC) sequestered per hectare per year (after Method prescribed discounts) – equivalent to approximately 8-9 ACCUs.
- Strengthen sampling and stratification protocols that underpin measurement, project design and assurance.
- Restrict registration of multiple projects on the same landholding.
- Report annually on aggregate project performance to improve data transparency across the industry.
What does this mean for CarbonLink Projects?
CarbonLink projects are already well-positioned to meet and exceed the reviews recommendations.
- CarbonLink long-term project forecasts are below the proposed cap.
- CarbonLink has always applied robust sampling and stratification programs designed to maximise confidence in reported outcomes, exceeding the proposed recommendations.
- CarbonLink’s does not register multiple projects across the same property.
- CarbonLink supports initiatives that improve market transparency, particularly performance-based measures that help the industry understand what is working well, where outcomes are being achieved and where approaches need to improve.
Furthermore, the review recommended greater use of spectroscopy and other sector-based approaches, stating NIR spectroscopy results are more consistent with SOC stock values supported by literature.
CarbonLink’s advanced soil-core scanning technology, NetScan, combines vis-NIR spectroscopy, gamma densitometry and high-resolution imaging to deliver accurate and cost-effective measurement of soil organic carbon for our soil carbon projects.
Therefore, this recommendation to strengthen sampling and stratification protocols is aligned with CarbonLink’s existing approach to soil carbon measurement and analysis.
For more information, read the documents released by the Australian Government:
- Soil Organic Carbon 2021 method 2021 – Periodic review report
- Emissions Reductions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) Letter to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Integrity underpins long-term success
CarbonLink supports measures that improve transparency and strengthen confidence in project outcomes.
Importantly, the areas highlighted in the review are not representative of the project development philosophy CarbonLink has championed throughout the industry’s growth.
“Our focus has always been on scientifically defensible outcomes built on robust measurement, transparent project design and practical land management improvements,” said McCosker.
“The long-term success of soil carbon depends on trust in the results. As an industry, we should welcome improvements that increase confidence in the credits being produced and the environmental outcomes being delivered.”
Strong foundations for future growth
The review arrives after a decade of significant public and private investment in soil carbon measurement and verification.
Industry estimates suggest between $30-$40 million has already been invested in establishing project baselines across the country’s registered soil carbon estate, while government initiatives such as the National Soil Carbon Innovation Challenge have contributed a further $50 million to improve measurement technologies and reduce costs.
Despite the industry’s rapid growth, soil carbon remains in the early stages of its lifecycle.
Of the 933 registered projects, only 52 have reached credit issuance to date, meaning the majority of projects are still progressing through baselining, management and measurement cycles.
Excitingly, this means the bulk of future credit generation remains ahead of the sector.
CarbonLink has proudly supported its producers to generate over 65% of the ACCUs issued to-date to soil carbon projects.
What happens next?
CarbonLink believes the review provides a stronger foundation for the next phase of industry growth.
As consultation begins on the proposed amendments, CarbonLink will continue working closely with regulators, industry participants and landholders to ensure the Method remains both scientifically robust and commercially practical.
“The most important message from today’s announcement is that soil carbon remains an important part of Australia’s carbon market,” said McCosker.
“Over the past decade, the industry has built the science, data and practical experience needed to support soil carbon projects at scale.”
“The next decade is about turning that foundation into more measured outcomes, more ACCUs issued and more value flowing back to farmers and regional communities.”
CarbonLink acknowledges the work undertaken by the DCCEEW, the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC), and the many stakeholders who contributed their expertise and practical experience throughout the review process.
About CarbonLink
CarbonLink is Australia’s leading soil carbon project partner, helping farmers improve soil health, farm productivity and resilience while participating in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. CarbonLink is a founding member of the Soil Carbon Industry Group and works with landholders across Australia to deliver scientifically rigorous soil carbon projects.
