In Australia, the agriculture sector has the potential to play a significant role in carbon sequestration. The Australian government has established the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) to provide incentives for farmers and land managers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration on their land. Under the ERF, farmers can earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for implementing approved carbon farming projects, which can then be sold to the government or on the open market.
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in order to mitigate climate change. In the agriculture sector, carbon sequestration can be achieved through practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, and agroforestry, which help to increase the amount of organic matter in the soil and promote the growth of plants that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The use of ACCUs in the agriculture sector has the potential to provide numerous benefits. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration, carbon farming projects can also improve soil health, increase water retention, and promote biodiversity. These practices can also provide economic benefits for farmers by increasing the productivity and resilience of their land.
Incorporating livestock into regenerative farming practices can have numerous benefits for the farm, including improved soil health, increased water retention, and enhanced biodiversity. Livestock grazing can help to control weeds, reduce the need for tillage, and promote the growth of diverse plant species. Their manure also provides a natural source of fertilizer for the soil, which can help to improve soil structure and increase the soil’s ability to retain water.
In addition to improving soil health, incorporating livestock into regenerative farming practices can also have benefits for water retention. By reducing tillage and increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, regenerative farming practices can help to improve the soil’s ability to absorb and retain water. This can help to reduce runoff and erosion, and can also help to improve the resilience of the farm to drought and other extreme weather events.
Regenerative farming practices that incorporate livestock can also have benefits for biodiversity. By promoting the growth of diverse plant species and reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, regenerative farming practices can help to create habitats for a wide range of wildlife species. This can help to support pollinators, beneficial insects, and other wildlife, and can also help to improve the overall health of the farm ecosystem. Incorporating livestock into regenerative farming practices can provide numerous benefits for the farm, including improved soil health, increased water retention, and enhanced biodiversity. These practices can help to improve the resilience and productivity of the farm, while also promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting the health of the environment.
According to a recent whitepaper, soil carbon stocks can be replenished by implementing regenerative management practices that maximize plant productivity, including time-controlled grazing, and incorporating legumes, mixed species, and deep-rooted perennials into pastures. The range of potential soil carbon storage in Australian grazing lands under improved land use management is likely to be between 0.05 and 0.8t C per hectare per year, depending on the type of management implemented and site-specific climate and soil properties. While the gains in soil carbon may be relatively small on a per hectare basis, rolling these practices out over Australia’s approximately 10 million hectares of degraded grassland can have a huge impact on Australia’s greenhouse gas budget.
Carbon sequestration and the use of ACCUs in the agriculture sector in Australia have the potential to provide significant environmental and economic benefits. By implementing carbon farming practices, farmers can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change while also improving the health and productivity of their land.
