Sequestering Carbon in Soils in Grazing
Systems
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Questions
• cfi@cleanenergyregulator
.gov.au
‒ 1300 553 542
• cfi@environment.gov.au
‒ 1800 852 974
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Measuring change in soil carbon
3. Estimating emissions from other sources
4. How to participate
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1
Sequestering carbon in soils in grazing systems
• Government-led but developed with industry
• Developed for CFI but continuing under ERF
• Created as a legislative instrument in July 2014
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1
The determination at a glance
• Grazing systems
• Broad range of activities
allowed
• Measurement-based
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Activity scope
• Proponents can
choose one or more
activities
• At least one activity
must be new
• Must increase
biomass inputs or
reduce soil organic
matter losses
• Choice of activity is
a business decision
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Eligibility: what’s in, what’s out?
In
• Activities on permanent pasture
• Conversion to permanent pasture
Out
•
•
•
•
•
Permanent de-stocking
Bare fallow
Applying crop residues, hay or straw in certain conditions
Applying biochar, coal-based amendments
Clearing woody vegetation (with some exceptions, e.g. weeds)
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Part 2: Measuring soil carbon and
estimating change
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Soil Sampling Design
Broadly applicable
No prior knowledge
of soil C needed
Sensitive to
changes in soil C
over time
Minimise costs
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Stratification
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2
Composites
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2
Soil Sample Collection, Preparation and Analysis
• Min 30cm, sampling to
greater depth allowed
• Soil Sampling and
Analysis Method and
Guidelines
‒ Minimum standards
‒ Additional guidance
‒ Skills sets for technicians
‒ Can be updated as new
sampling techniques are
developed
Commencing project management activities
After baseline sampling and project declaration, proponents can start
project management actions (including new actions)
Only project management actions can be implemented in the project
area.
Project management actions can change over time – proponents must
notify the CER of changes
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2
Calculating change in soil carbon over time
• Soil carbon change is calculated using measurements from
multiple sampling rounds
• Accounts for environmental variation (temporary discount
and trend line)
• Allows for early crediting (after two sampling rounds if
carbon has been sequestered)
• Conservative crediting to manage risk to proponent and to
Government
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Emission sources and sinks:
what’s in, what’s out?
• Credits for net
greenhouse gas
abatement
• All sources and sinks
affected by the
project management
actions must be
accounted for
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3
Estimating changes in other emissions sources
• Baseline emissions period
compared with reporting
period
• Determine ‘material
difference’
• Use National Inventory
methods
– Defaults for simplicity
• Data requirements: types of
records required
• Total change in emissions
from all sources
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3
For example: livestock
• Livestock create greenhouse gas emissions
• Use historical stocking rate data to determine baseline
‒ Where there is no data: use assessed carrying capacity
• Data on livestock numbers in the project area (class,
region, days, season) entered into calculator
‒ Reporting period emissions minus baseline emissions
period (where there has been a material difference)
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How to participate?
• This is a CFI determination
• Review the guidelines and tools
• Check the Clean Energy Regulator website
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4
Resources
Determination and Explanatory Statement
• http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L00710
CER Guidance
• Sequestration methodology: Sequestering carbon in soils in grazing systems :
http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Farming-Initiative/Factsheets-FAQs-and-guidelines/Publications/Pages/Default.aspx
Determination Tools
• CFI Soil Sampling Design Method and Guidelines
• CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines
• Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors
Calculator
• CFI Soil Carbon in Grazing Systems Calculator Version 1.0 (available soon)
Fact sheet
• CFI Method: Sequestering Carbon in Soil in Grazing Systems
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Wrap up
Thank you for attending
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