What is Carbon farming?

Carbon farming typically refers to the deliberate storage of carbon in vegetation or soils, or activities that reduce the release of carbon dioxide or other atmospheric greenhouse gases. Many landholders undertake carbon farming as part of general good farm management – planting shelterbelts or other native vegetation, maintaining ground cover and plant health, and running productive and efficient livestock, all contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. 

Carbon farming can also support landholders to generate income. Where carbon farming practices are undertaken according to a methodology under a registered carbon farming scheme, landholders may generate carbon credits – typically one tonne of carbon avoided or stored, is equal to one carbon credit. The main carbon credit scheme in Australia  is the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme. 

Regional NRM organisations are interested in carbon farming because undertaking some carbon farming activities can lead to more productive and sustainable landscapes and farmlands, while reducing emissions and promoting biodiversity. Where ACCUs can be generated, carbon farming also provides a pathway for undertaking nature restoration or other NRM aligned activities that might not otherwise have been funded or affordable. The additional or associated benefits from carbon farming projects are typically called co-benefits, and cover a range of social, environmental and economic benefits. 

The role regional NRM organisations can play in optimising carbon farming projects is recognised in legislation – the Carbon Farming Initiative Act 2011 (CFI Act) requires carbon farming projects to be consistent with regional NRM plans. The Act acknowledges that consideration of the landscape-scale and local context described in NRM plans and alignment of carbon farming projects to  NRM plan objectives can deliver better outcomes for nature and regional communities.