A new guide launched today provides practical advice and checklists for landowners and farmers who wish to capitalise on the opportunities of the carbon market.
The Carbon Market Institute and the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct developed the Landholder guidance: A checklist for partnering on carbon farming projects, with the support of the Queensland Government’s Land Restoration Fund after noticing an information gap for landholders considering an ACCU Scheme project in partnership with a third party.
“This document helps landholders navigate the different stages of developing and delivering an ACCU Scheme project,” said Janet Hallows, Director, Climate Programs & Nature-Based Climate Solutions, CMI.
“These projects often require complex, long-term contracts and relationships and the guidance was developed to support informed decision-making.”
“Landholders and farmers will be able to ask the right questions and get a better understanding of rights, responsibilities, and expectations from their project partner before the start and during the life cycle of a project,” said Hallows.
Landholders can use this guidance to better navigate the complexities of carbon farming and the ACCU Scheme, optimise project success, and learn more about how to comply with relevant regulations, when entering into a services or partnership agreement with a carbon service provider.
Christophe Bur, cattle farmer and Director of Regen Farmers Mutual and Quentic, is passionate about the carbon farming in the cattle farming industry. He welcomes the new guidance: “It is a very useful document for landholders who are thinking about taking advantages of the many benefits of carbon project development. There are many reasons for landholders to explore the opportunities of adding a carbon project to their income stream, but they need to be well informed and prepared to enter into an agreement with a project partner.”
This is a sentiment echoed by Sam Dawes, head of the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct, who added:” Increasingly integrity and transparency play an important role in the carbon sector, and it is vital for everyone involved in a carbon project to better understand their rights and obligations. This guidance document will provide practical advice to assure best practice and accountability are built in before the start of a project.”
There are many benefits that can flow from carbon project development, not just creating an additional income stream for the landholder. Australia’s carbon farming sector can scale up to drive regional job creation, and contribute to reducing, avoiding or minimising greenhouse gas emissions. Significantly, ACCU Scheme projects can increase agricultural productivity and build farm resilience through funding activities that help manage the land better.
The new guidance document was developed after extensive consultations with landholders and is available from the Carbon Market Institute website: https://carbonmarketinstitute.org/landholder-guidance/
