What is Carbon Farming and how can it benefit me?
Basically, Carbon Farming is a way that land managers can contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by managing their land in a way that ensures carbon dioxide remains within the vegetation, soils, water-bodies and biomass of our landscapes rather than being released into the atmosphere.
Carbon Farming methods approved by the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) introduce and encourage land management methods that absorb and retain carbon in solid form. This can be as complex as complete forest regeneration or as simple as improved agricultural practices or improving and sustaining existing natural vegetation.
How can I earn income from my land through Carbon Farming?
Not only does Carbon Farming provide a sustainable solution to achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets but it can also provide significant economic opportunities to landowners through access to tradable Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
Interesting! But how can I safely invest in carbon farming and ensure what I am doing will be approved by the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF)?
The QLD government is currently offering a round of funding for the Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Program. This program gives land managers an opportunity to access a rebate of $10,000 to help cover the cost of seeking professional advice to see if a Carbon Farming project will work on their property. To qualify, landowners must obtain professional advice from an approved advisor under the Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Program.
Natura Pacific’s Dr Mark Nadir Runkovski is listed as an approved advisor under the Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Program, this means that landowners can access funding of up to $10,000 to help cover the cost of this professional advice. Natura Pacific’s expert team of environmental scientists can assist you by evaluating which approved methods will suit your property to most efficiently generate Australian Carbon Credits (ACCU). Take a look here if you would like to learn more about this program.

Right… let’s do this!
There isn’t much time to qualify for the April 2020 round of funding so get in touch with one of Natura Pacific’s approved Carbon Farming advisors today to discuss the merits of your Carbon Farming project. If you run out of time, do not worry, we can apply for the third round together which allows us time until July 2020 to get an application completed.
Contact us today!
A testimonial from one of our clients:
“Carbon farming is something that I can use to value add to my farming operations and, while the Land Restoration Fund process is very technical, Natura Pacific made this very straight forward and simple for us. The financial support from the government also means that there was no out of pocket expense to do our application. I would recommend you contact Natura Pacific if you are thinking about applying and get them to give you a hand.” D. Bruce – SD8 Landcare
If you would like to know a little more about the benefits of Carbon Farming, take a look at this article. Or for even more information on the Land Restoration Fund watch this video.
OK, I am interested but I would like a bit more information!
What are the benefits of Carbon Farming?
In addition to the carbon stored, emissions reduced, and the increased economic incentives for landowners, there are also multiple co-benefits associated with carbon farming that offer diverse environmental, social and economic benefits generated by the projects from region to region.

From supporting the Great Barrier Reef to reintroducing threatened species, co-benefits have a strong focus on repairing what’s special and important to Queensland’s natural heritage.
So many great outcomes can be generated through Carbon Farming projects! From improved soil and water quality which leads to improved agricultural productivity, to landscape restoration of essential habitat for threatened native species and ecological communities.
Additionally, in light of the many recent struggles our farmers and land managers have faced with drought, fires and floods, Carbon Farming offers the valuable opportunity of income diversification and economic security in times of financial hardship.
This includes projects such as replanting of rainforests which reduce the flammability of land, reopening of waterways and wetlands that can help alleviate drought and improvement of soil profiles which slows erosion and improves pasture or crop resilience.
OK, that sounds great – but what are the benefits of Carbon Farming for me?
The scope of Carbon Farming projects is diverse and can range from growing new forests to protecting existing vegetation and carbon storage in soils. Additionally, Carbon Farming methods and benefits can vary throughout Queensland, so your Carbon Farming project will depend on both your region and your business.
Contact our team to learn more on how we can assist you to explore, develop and implement a quality management plan and an Emissions Reduction Fund approved Carbon Farming project.
We can help you build a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future!
A case study would help – how does this really work on the ground?
Joe is a cattle farmer and owns 40,000 hectares of land. Up until recently, he was able to clear all of his lands for grazing. These days, because of modern environmental regulations, habitat protection policies and land clearing restrictions, he is now forced to see some regrowth parts of his property as “unusable”.

When Joe heard about carbon farming it sparked his curiosity as he had heard that there may be an economic benefit for him and his family, and a way to finally generate a profit from those “unusable” parts of his land. Unsure of how to proceed, Joe sought out the professional services of a Carbon Farming ‘approved advisor’ to investigate the possibilities of carbon farming on his land. With this support, he discovered that there were numerous and diverse possibilities to create a revenue stream through carbon farming on the parcels of land he once thought had limited use.
Through embarking on a Carbon Farming project for his land Joe has now strengthened his commercial possibilities and can now enjoy the full potential value of his land as well as boost his bottom line.
There is a way to profit from your land by not clearing vegetation…
Now Joe has found a solution to make a profit by protecting vital habitats. Instead of clearing vegetation and releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere, Joe is earning carbon credits from not clearing. Even better, while Joe enjoys his profits he is simultaneously providing numerous environmental benefits generated through the co-benefits of carbon farming.
Joe has enhanced critical koala habitat, improved habitat connectivity and restored land to benefit other endangered species, ecosystems and Queensland’s biodiversity overall. Additionally, he has improved the water and soil quality on his property which is promoting the productivity of his livestock.
We can help you find your way to these benefits too…
Whilst Joe’s story is a hypothetical one, many farmers and landowners across Australia are reaping the rewards of Carbon Farming by increasing the productivity on their land and boosting their business opportunities.
Whilst there is a lot to learn to get started in carbon farming, our team of approved advisors and environmental scientists are here to offer you our professional services to help you to efficiently develop and implement the right carbon project that will match the needs of your business and allow you gain the full potential value of your land.
Get in touch with us today!
So what Carbon Farming methodologies are there?
Carbon farming is growing significantly in QLD, so how can I get involved and develop a project that meets approved land management methodologies?
The methodologies and income possibilities surrounding carbon farming projects are diverse and will differ depending on your region, land management practices and your current business production system.

There are three mainland management methodologies approved under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) with the state of Queensland currently supporting the highest proportion of projects in Australia. This signifies Queensland’s vibrant carbon farming sector as a fast-emerging industry that is already contributing significantly to Australia’s economy (take a look at the Carbon Farming Industry Roadmap).
Great, but how do I know the right method to use for my carbon farming project?
Meeting the requirements of the Carbon Farming project methodologies can be complex – requiring the evaluation of landscape variables, legislation, mapping and carbon credit modelling to ensure projects meet eligibility through a well-designed project plan.
We can decipher a Carbon Farming method that will earn you carbon credits and financial returns through vegetation monitoring. Examples of methods can include managing regrowth and forest plantations, avoiding deforestation, reforestation and afforestation to name just a few of the many possibilities of carbon farming on your property. These projects can particularly benefit landowners with unproductive or degraded land, working towards increasing their farm’s productivity.

Vegetation projects aim to sequester and store carbon in trees and soils and can range from native tree planting and the regeneration of native forests on previously cleared land to managing stock to allow native regrowth. Other land restoration projects can improve the health of wetlands and coastal ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef.
In addition to the climate benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions stored in vegetation, there are Carbon Farming methods that can improve soil quality on your land, preserving nutrients and microbes and allowing optimal functioning of the soil profile to reduce run-off of pollutants. This can improve water quality, reduce salinity and prevent land degradation and erosion. Increased vegetation can also provide shelter for livestock and act as windbreaks.
We can work collaboratively with you to turn difficult and complex project methodologies into achievable projects to help you increase the economic value of your land whilst working together to conserve the environment and build a more sustainable future.
Contact us to learn more!
For a Comprehensive list of land management and other activities that can earn ACCUs check out the Commonwealth Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund website.

Sources / Links:
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change/land-restoration-fund/carbon-farming
http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Infohub/Markets/Pages/Buying-ACCUs.aspx
http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/current-programs/CFARP-approved-advisers/approved-advisers
http://www.carbonmarketinstitute.org/roadmap
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change/land-restoration-fund/co-benefits