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the australian farmer
production efficiency, financial diversification, and provides environmental advantages like shade for livestock and habitats for threatened species. Carbon farming is not simple. Like any new busi- ness venture, whether involving cattle, sheep, or cropping, success requires thorough research and accessing good advice. Before getting into carbon farming, it is important to do the research and get the latest information. A well-executed carbon strategy will create better and more profitable farms. It will also support more sustain- able landscapes and rural communities. A poorly exe- cuted carbon strategy will increase complexity, create more paperwork and reduce profitability. Farmers looking to engage in carbon initiatives should do so because those initiatives align with their land and farm business goals. Do your research and find out whether it’s right for you and your busi- ness because renewable energy implementation and carbon abatement on your farm can present win-win opportunities. By adopting these practices, you will not only be helping the environment, but you’ll also be securing the long-term viability of your operations in the face of climate change.
and processing also adds to emissions. Agriculture also has the greatest potential to se- quester carbon. The only proven low cost and scalable mechanism for drawing carbon out of the atmos- phere is via the process of photosynthesis. Carbon is then stored in and cycled through plants, trees, and soils. Understanding the carbon cycle and developing strategies to build the carbon pool can both enhance productivity and provide opportunities to generate in- come through the creation of carbon credits. According to the Climate Change Authority’s 2024 sector pathway review, land-based sequestration already reduces Australia’s emissions by more than 50 Mt CO2-e (megatonnes of carbon dioxide equiva- lent) per annum 1 . At the same time, Australia's agricultural emis- sions – which account for 16 per cent of our total emissions (440.2 Mt CO2e) 2 – are expected to re- main steady over the next decade before declining towards the year 2050. Scaling up land-based se- questration, adopting new farm practices and tech- nologies, alongside new low-emission technologies such as feed supplements, slow-release fertilisers, improved herd and pasture management, manure management, and renewable fuel-powered machin- ery, will facilitate this reduction. Opportunities exist within Australian Government programs and schemes where farmers can earn car- bon credits for implementing carbon farming and emissions reduction practices. Farmers can earn cred- its for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that would have otherwise been released into the atmos- phere. These credits can be sold on the carbon market to businesses and individuals seeking to offset their carbon emissions and can represent a significant new source of income, especially as more companies look to meet their carbon reduction targets. Australia is re- cognised as a global carbon market leader. Strict guidelines and rigorous governance ensure that each tonne of sequestered carbon is genuine and scientifically accredited. Each sequestration method undergoes rigorous development and validation by an independent committee to ensure effectiveness. Carbon farming also offers ancillary benefits such as improved water use, increased livestock
Carl Binning is Executive General Manager, Schemes Operations Division, Clean Energy Regulator. Carl farmed superfine wool near Yass in NSW and is a for- mer member of the Australian Landcare Council and Chief Executive of Greening Australia. He has enjoyed a diverse career spanning primary industries, mining and natural resource management.
1 Climate Change Authority Sector Pathways Review – Agriculture and Land, 2024. Figure AL.2: CSIRO’s modelling projections of sources and sinks for agriculture and land sector for A50/G2, pg.16. 2 Australia's greenhouse gas emissions: March 2024 quarterly update.
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