Update on Carbon
The Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative will provide new opportunities for farmers and land managers, while also helping the environment by reducing carbon pollution. The CFI will create incentives to reduce emissions from agriculture and increase carbon storage in soils and vegetation.
By engaging in activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions we may have an opportunity to earn ‘carbon credits’. There are two types of activity:
- storing more carbon, for example by growing trees or reducing tillage on a farm in a way that increases soil carbon
- reducing or avoiding emissions, for example through capturing and destroying methane emissions from landfill or livestock manure.
Farmers will not have to pay for greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities, and the fuel they use for farm equipment and personal vehicles will be exempt under the carbon price.
NRM South is working with a range of organisations to identify opportunities to obtain multiple benefits from carbon-related investment, and is an information link for landholders interested in taking up opportunities.
If you have any questions about the new carbon economy contact our Regional Landcare Facilitator, Barry Hardwick.
Phone (03) 6221 6117, bhardwick@nrmsouth.org.au
More information on the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future program can be found at
www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/carbon-farming-initiative/
