February 2022 - WA Carbon Connections
This month:
New farmer-friendly carbon methodology under development
Some background on the rising carbon price
DPIRD Carbon farming forum, February 10
Biochar and carbon credits breakdown
First, as always, a carbon price update:
New carbon methodology to capture multiple carbon pools in one project
Any new way of generating verified carbon credits is always welcome, and one that will make carbon farming easier for landholders is particularly exciting!
The Australian Government’s Canberra-based Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is developing a new methodology which combines the functions of multiple ERF carbon methodologies to allow multiple ‘pools’ of carbon to be measured in the same project. The CER website says the ‘integrated landscape’ method would “Include allowing separate land-based activities to be combined or ‘stacked’ on the same land”.
For now, if a landholder wants to generate soil carbon credits and plant some trees for vegetation carbon credits, they will need to register and run two separate projects, each with administration costs.
It would seem likely that a new method like this will enable smaller property holdings to support viable carbon projects more easily than is now the case. However, there is a lot of development to come before you can expect to see this method available. Those already participating in the ERF will be best placed to take up the new opportunity.
We look forward to seeing further detail on the method as it continues to be developed and will keep you posted on the availability of this option.
What’s going on with the carbon price?
Most recent discussions about carbon focus on the rapid rise of the ACCU price and whether it will stay this high. While we are always cautious with predictions, the beginning of this article by Stockhead breaks down the carbon price’s growth last year and the forces driving it. Very interesting.
DPIRD’s Carbon Farming & Land Restoration Program: Round 2
The CF-LRP is returning in 2022, after round one offers were made at the start of this month. Round two will see some developments on round one, but the general idea remains: The program pre-purchases ACCUs to be generated by an ERF project to help farmers cover the cost of project development. If you are interested in applying for round two or want to learn more, DPIRD is running a “stocktake of carbon farming” seminar in Rivervale, Perth, on the 10th of February to help landholders familiarise themselves with the carbon world. More information is available here.
Biochar and soil carbon
The word ‘biochar’ has been bandied around a lot recently and we are busy researching the developments in the area. In ERF soil carbon projects biochar can now be used as an agricultural input (with restrictions on application rates in a project area) as a means of boosting soil biological activity.
Biochar is created by cooking biomass in a high-temperature, low-oxygen environment which converts the carbon content of the feedstock into a more stable structure.
Some believe that simply burying the inert carbon that is biochar is a way of generating carbon credits, however that is not the case. We found this article discussing biochar which might help explain the stuff!
Carbon Pathways for Primary Producers seminar series - Carbon Market Institute
The CMI is hosting an online seminar series aimed at educating landholders on their options within the carbon industry, and general explanation of the global carbon market. Find more information or sign up here.
Quote of the day:
“Fertiliser is good for the father, but bad for the sons” - Dutch saying
Fertiliser has an important role in agriculture but can be detrimental to the long-term health of soil systems if misused. This article explains the complex dilemma of synthetic fertilisers.