This is it. This is the version of “carbon farming” many people might first think of when they hear the term; and that some people simply do not trust.
That mistrust is not entirely displaced; there can be an element of green washing attached to any scheme where environmental outcomes are monetised. And, as in all sectors of the economy, there are also unscrupulous operators who may promise the world and deliver significantly less.
As we have learned, this Scheme is only one form of carbon farming, and it is only one market. However, the Australian carbon credit system is also one of the longest-standing systems of its kind in the world, and there’s no sign it’s going away any time soon; so it is worth knowing how it works and whether to explore it further as part of your farming business operations.
So, welcome to the final part of our Carbon Farming Outreach Program training package series; sharing DAFF’s free online training has been about helping you consider how carbon farming can work for you.
Before you delve into this topic, it’s worth remembering that the potential financial benefit from engaging in the ACCU Scheme is not the only possible gain.
Dr Phillip Ireland has a PhD in climate change adaptation and has been working in the field for more than 20 years. He says there’s compelling reasons to explore building and retaining more carbon into your farming system.
“We know increased soil organic carbon can increase water retention and water holding capacity of soils for times of drought. We know that trees and windbreaks can protect livestock from inclement weather, and we know the weather may become more windy and more unpredictable into the future. So you’re making your property more resilient and adapted,” says Dr Ireland.
Additionally, the potential for our agricultural landscapes to right some of the wrongs created by our industrialised world might also be a source of inspiration:
“One of the really interesting facts that has come out recently is that if we were to take all of the world’s agricultural soils, and increase soil organic carbon by one percent in one metre of those soils, we would draw almost half of the historical emissions of our species out of the atmosphere.”
Hear more of Dr Ireland’s insights by watching this interview about vegetation and carbon credits.
To learn more about the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme, why not dive into Topic 5 now? You may also like to check out the guidance that WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides on the ACCU Scheme:
- Carbon Farming Plan Guidance – pdf
- Carbon Farming – webpage and link to further resources
Further handy resources for you to help you unpack this final instalment of the Carbon Farming Outreach Program online course are below:
- PDF training manual
- Glossary – keep this page handy to decode any words or phrases you’re not yet familiar with.
The Future Farm Foundations project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
The post CFOP Online Course Topic 5: The Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme appeared first on NACC.
