Agriculture can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, which is a global crisis accelerating due to rising greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. A shift in agricultural practices can transform this sector. While agriculture has traditionally been a major contributor to greenhouse gases, it has the opportunity to be a significant solution for climate change mitigation.

Read more on our FAQ page, How can agriculture mitigate climate change?

Several factors determine the quality or integrity of a carbon credit. They typically revolve around additionality, permanence, leakage, and verification principles.

Disclaimer

This statement is general in nature and does not apply to any particular situation, transaction or organisation. It is not legal or financial advice. You should seek your own legal or financial advice with particular reference to your own circumstances and requirements. This statement does not provide specific information or advice concerning, among other things, the detailed characteristics of ACCUs, the costs associated with them, their legal status, their taxation treatment and the potential benefits and risks of dealing in them.

The international context

As mentioned above, in the international (and more general) context, several factors determine the quality or integrity of a carbon credit. They typically revolve around the principles of additionality, permanence, leakage, and verification.

1. Additionality: Additionality refers to whether the project that generates the carbon credits would have happened without the income from those credits. A high-quality carbon credit represents a project that wouldn’t have been viable without carbon finance. If the project would have happened anyway, then the carbon credit is not additional and is therefore considered low-quality.
2. Permanence: The permanence period is the length of time that the carbon will be stored. For example, carbon sequestered in trees might be released if the trees are cut down or burnt in a wildfire. A high-quality carbon credit has measures to ensure the carbon will be stored for an extended period.
3. Leakage: Leakage refers to the unintended consequences of a carbon project. For instance, if protecting one forest area leads to deforestation in another area, this is a form of leakage. High-quality carbon credits have measures in place to prevent and account for leakage.
4.  Verification: High-quality carbon credits are independently verified by trusted third parties. Verification ensures that the project achieves the emissions reductions it has claimed.

The Australian context

In Australia, the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme is a voluntary scheme established under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015. The scheme supports investment in projects to reduce emissions across all sectors of the economy.

An ACCU is a unit issued to a person by the Clean Energy Regulator (Regulator) by making an entry for the unit in an account kept by the person in the electronic  Australian National Registry of Emissions Units (Registry). Each ACCU issued represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2-e) stored or avoided by a project. An ACCU can only be issued to a person if the person has a Registry account, and a Registry account can only be opened by a person after the Regulator has considered whether they are a ‘fit and proper person’.

In the Australian context, the quality of carbon credits is generally ensured by the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The ERF is a government initiative that purchases carbon credits from approved projects. To be approved, projects must follow a detailed methodology that ensures additionality, permanence (credits issued by the ERF represent carbon abatement that is permanent or stored for at least 25 years), and minimal leakage. The credits must also be independently audited.

Low-quality (generic) carbon credits

Examples of low-quality or generic carbon credits might include those that aren’t independently verified or where there’s uncertainty about additionality, permanence or leakage. For instance, a project that plants trees but has no measures to protect the trees from being cut down in the future could be considered low-quality.

High-quality, premium carbon credits

A high-quality, verified carbon credit in the Australian context must come from a project registered under the ERF. For example, a farmer who changes their land management practices to increase soil carbon sequestration, following the approved methodology and with independent verification, could generate high-quality carbon credits. These projects directly support Australia’s emissions reduction targets and contribute to sustainable farming practices, thus enhancing their value and integrity.

As the market for carbon credits matures, it’s increasingly important for consumers and businesses to understand the quality of the credits they’re purchasing or investing in. A clear understanding helps ensure that investments in carbon credits effectively contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation and support sustainable development.

More information

For more information on soil carbon farming, regenerative agriculture and their benefits, sign up for the Carbon Sync Newsletter. You can also follow us on social media – our Facebook page, LinkedIn page, Twitter feed and YouTube channel, where we regularly post informative and educational content.

Humanity’s need for food security is more important than ever before. Our food begins at the farm gate, and the agricultural industry is a critical component of the global food system. At the same time, climate change is causing significant challenges for agriculture, including unpredictable weather patterns, droughts, fires and floods. Farmers across the globe are having to face the unpredictability of nature and their farm businesses are suffering as a result of climate-related challenges. 

The United Nations predicts that the Earth’s population will grow from the current 8 billion to 9.7 billion by 2050. It follows that the global demand for food will continue to increase alongside this population growth. The challenges of climate change threaten agriculture’s sustainability and farmers’ ability to meet the growing demand for food. 

In addition to facing the challenges that climate change is forcing on their agricultural enterprises, farmers are also coming to terms with the impact their farming practices are having on the climate. According to Crippa et al. (2021), global food systems are responsible for 34% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Soil degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss are other well-recognised results of our industrialised agricultural systems.

To address these issues, various forms of regenerative agriculture practices have surfaced over recent decades. Soil carbon farming is one such regenerative agricultural practice. In this article, I will discuss what soil carbon farming is, its potential contribution to the environment, the economy, farming communities and human health, and how it can support global food systems and food security.

What is Soil Carbon Farming?

Soil carbon farming is an agricultural practice that involves adoption of regenerative farming practices to increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. In a nutshell, it enhances the ability of plants to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (via photosynthesis) and store it in the soil as organic matter. This process ultimately sequesters carbon in the soil but in the process of doing so, it promotes soil health and structure, water retention and biodiversity, and can reduce soil erosion, pests and disease.

Soil carbon farming involves various practices, including:

• Cover Cropping, where cover crops are grown to protect and improve the soil between cash crop seasons. These crops are grown during fallow periods and can double as forage crops; 

• Crop Rotation and Intercropping, which involves planting different crops on the same land in sequential or simultaneous seasons, respectively.  These practices help to increase soil carbon levels by promoting the growth of plants with different root systems, which improves the soil structure and increases the amount of organic matter in the soil;

• Agroforestry, which involves growing trees and crops on the same land. Agroforestry is another method of increasing soil carbon levels by promoting the growth of plants with different root systems, root bacteria and fungi, leading to improved soil health; and
• Conservation Tillage, which involves reducing or eliminating the amount of tillage performed on the soil. Reduced tillage helps decrease the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere during ploughing or cultivating.

Farmers can implement these practices in different combinations depending on the specific conditions of the farm and the crops being grown. Soil carbon farming is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and farmers must choose practices appropriate for their particular situation.

Compost and Manure

In addition to these practices, soil carbon farming can promote soil health through the use of compost and manure. Compost and manure are rich in organic matter, which decomposes into humus, a stable form of organic carbon. When applied to the soil, they increase the soil’s organic carbon content. The soil organic matter provides a food source for soil microbes, which in turn release nutrients and help to form soil aggregates. Aggregates are clumps of soil particles held together by organic matter and microbial by-products. Better soil structure enhances water retention, nutrient availability, and gas exchange, all of which promote plant growth and improve soil carbon sequestration.

This healthier plant growth leads to increased photosynthesis and the capture of more atmospheric carbon dioxide. Some of this carbon is then stored in plant roots and residues, which, when decomposed by soil microbes, contribute to the stable carbon pool in the soil.

Soil carbon farming also involves measuring soil carbon levels to monitor whether the practices used are effective. Farmers monitor their soil by taking soil samples at various depths and analysing them for carbon content. By monitoring soil carbon levels, farmers can adjust their practices to ensure that they are effectively sequestering carbon out of the atmosphere and into the soil.

Contribution to the Environment

As mentioned above, soil carbon farming has numerous environmental benefits. One of the most significant benefits is its potential to mitigate climate change. Carbon sequestration in the soil removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which, as mentioned above, is one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. According to a study by the Rodale Institute, if all the world’s cropland and pastureland were managed using regenerative methods, it could sequester over 100% of current annual carbon dioxide emissions.

The improvement in soil health that soil carbon farming delivers can lead to increased productivity and biodiversity. Moreover, soil carbon farming can reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, which can negatively impact the environment, including contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. 

In addition, soil carbon farming can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger; and SDG 13: Climate Action. Soil carbon farming can be undertaken in developed and developing economies. It is a nature-based solution that supports environmental justice, equity, and social cohesion.

Economic, social and health benefits

Soil carbon farming can also have economic, community and human health benefits. The improvements in soil health, increases in crop yields and productivity can enhance farm profitability. In addition, it can create new revenue streams by enabling farmers to sell their carbon credits, which they can earn through the sequestration of carbon in the soil.

Soil carbon farming can help reduce the cost of inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides, improving the financial viability of farming operations. It can also create jobs in the agricultural sector, particularly in soil health assessment, monitoring, and carbon credit trading.

Soil carbon farming and its practices such as regenerative agriculture can contribute to the regeneration and nurturing of farming communities in several ways. First, these practices can help to promote sustainable and resilient agricultural systems that benefit farmers, their families, and their communities.

“We’ve got to nurture the land, nurture ourselves and nurture each other.” – Louise Edmonds

In addition to reducing input costs and improving farm profitability, soil carbon farming can lead to increased biodiversity. Intercropping and Agroforestry, as mentioned above, help to create more diverse ecosystems on farms, supporting a more comprehensive range of plants, soil bacteria and fungi, beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. The increased biodiversity creates a more resilient and healthier environment for farming communities.


Soil carbon farming can help farmers access new markets, such as those that value sustainably-produced food or those interested in purchasing carbon credits. These markets can provide additional income streams for farmers, which can help to improve their economic stability and support their families.


Community resilience can be strengthened by promoting local food systems and reducing the dependence on global food supply chains. The reduced reliance on distant food supply chains can help to increase food security and provide economic opportunities for farming communities. 

The opportunities for farmers to work together and learn from one another can increase social cohesion. By promoting a shared sense of purpose and community, these practices can help to build stronger and more resilient farming communities.


Soil carbon farming can have benefits for human health. Promoting regenerative agriculture practices, such as cover cropping and crop rotation, as mentioned above, can help reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, which can negatively impact human health. In addition, it can help to improve the nutritional quality of food by increasing the nutrient density of crops. Furthermore, soil carbon farming can help to improve the health of farmers and farm workers by reducing exposure to chemicals and promoting a safer working environment. 

Conclusion

Soil carbon farming is a regenerative agricultural practice that has the potential to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, mitigate climate change and create economic, social and human health benefits. Promoting regenerative agriculture practices can lead to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system that is advantageous for the environment and society. 

As we face the challenges of a changing climate and increasing food demand, soil carbon farming offers a viable solution for a better world. By supporting global food systems and food security and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs, soil carbon farming has the potential to transform agriculture and create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

For more information on soil carbon farming, regenerative agriculture and their benefits, sign up for the Carbon Sync Newsletter. You can also follow us on social media – our Facebook page, LinkedIn page, Twitter feed and YouTube channel, where we regularly post informative and educational content.

Renowned soil health educator Joel Williams visited Muresk Institute in Northam on March 28 to present a soil health lecture to farmers and industry representatives. He presented alongside Kevin Elmy from Cover Crops Canada, on the topic, “The Nexus between Nitrogen Carbon and Biodiversity.”

Joel and Kevin were joined by Nick and Lucy Kelly from Newdegate, who provided a real life case study of their journey with regenerative agriculture. Nick and Lucy Kelly are regenerative agriculture pioneers who have turned their farming operation around within a variety of practices including cover cropping and livestock integration.

Nitrogen, Carbon and Biodiversity

Nitrogen, Carbon and Biodiversity are all hot topics within agricultural circles. The day-long educational event, hosted by Carbon Sync, enabled farmers and agronomists to learn more about the microbial contribution to building soil organic matter, the impacts of imbalanced nitrogen on plant health and the nutritional drivers of plant immunity.

Other specific topics included building soil carbon with shoots, roots and exudates. The microbial contribution to building soil organic matter the impact of the use of foliar nitrogen versus nitrogen in the soil and redesigning production systems with legumes and multi species cropping.

Locals in attendance

Joc Dwyer from Bindoon Cattle attended the event and was impressed by the depth and breadth of the presenters’ knowledge. “I was particularly interested in the information regarding combining livestock with cropping operations. The contribution of livestock to soil health was another important topic that was raised,” he said.

Joc continued, “I was also impressed by the level of engagement from industry participants at the event. Some of WA’s fertiliser companies are developing products that are at the cutting edge, worldwide, in terms of soil health and plant nutrition,” he said.

“Another valuable message I heard is that some farmers such as Nick and Lucy Kelly economically produce their own liquid fertilisers from compost, or vermicast to inoculate the seeds, then foliar spray their crops or pasture to grow with increased margins of profit,” he added.

About the presenters

Joel Williams has an international reputation for providing lectures, workshops and consultation on soil management, plant nutrition and integrated approaches to sustainable food production. He can be contacted through his website, www.integrated soils.com/contact.

Kevin is a professional agriculturalists a third generation cereal cropper, cover crop seed producer and author who adopted soil health principles on his farm to great success. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge ready to help WA farmers benefit from carbon farming. He can be contacted through his website, www.covercrops.ca

6 April 2023

Humans have cleared one-third of the world’s forests and two-thirds of the wild grasslands. As a result, wild mammal biomass has declined by 85%. Land use change for the purpose of agriculture is the primary driver of the loss of the earth’s biodiversity. The impact of this loss of biodiversity is coming into sharper focus as we begin to see the effects of climate change starkly unfold. We are now facing climate and biodiversity crises. These two crises are interlinked and inseparable. To stabilise the climate, we must also restore the earth’s biodiversity.

Salinity

Australian farmers have been living with the impacts of salinity for over a century. The wholesale clearing of land and the destruction of biodiversity have been major causes of this salinity. For more than 100 years, we have been crying about this problem, but what has been done? The previous State Government felt it to be such an intractable problem that it suspended the State Salinity Strategy for its nearly ten-year term in Government. The Government evaded its statutory responsibility under the Soil and Conservation Act of 1945 and did nothing.

In 2018, the WA State Government commissioned an Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) report into salinity, working with 20-year-old data. This report estimated that between one and two million hectares of Western Australian land were affected by salinity. However, it took until 2022 for the State Government to enact the report’s recommendations and undertake salinity monitoring. The 2022 monitoring confirms 1.75 million hectares severely affected by salinity and a further 2.8-4.5 million hectares under threat. 

Without the intent to be alarmist, the Wheatbelt of Western Australia is in a state of desertification. This desertification is predicted to result in complete ecosystem collapse, unless there is full-scale intervention to restore its health. Failure will cascade into the lower southwest of Western Australia and destroy what forests and wild habitats remain. Furthermore, this will result in the wholesale disruption of our water cycles and the desertification of the entire Southwest Land Division.

What can we do? The OAG report suggests the solution to this problem is to revegetate 80% of the Wheatbelt. While this would be the silver bullet for our State’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, it would reduce WA’s Gross State Product (GSP) by a whopping $6 billion. Furthermore, this revegetation would destabilise global food security and, by extension, geopolitical stability. Therefore, it is not an option. 

The Agro-ecological approach

Agro-ecological approaches to food production can firstly, maintain and enhance production. They can also restore water cycles, improve soil health and increase biodiversity. At the core of these agro-ecological approaches is using biodiverse plants in our cropping and grazing enterprises. The integration of biodiversity includes practices such as cover cropping, pasture cropping, inter-cropping and relay cropping. These practices can increase below-ground microbiological diversity that spirals through the tropic levels. This can then lead to ever-increasing agro-ecological biodiversity. The image below, courtesy of Bigstock, illustrates the process.