Become a soil carbon farmer

Start your soil carbon farming journey with Carbon Sync, and throughout every step of your project, we will ensure you have the support and technology you need to succeed. Carbon Sync takes the risk out of soil carbon farming so that you can focus on profitability. 

We understand that every Western Australian farm is different, and transitioning knowledge into soil carbon farming action on the ground is unique for every farm and farmer. As your partner and co-investor, we’re not here to tell you how to run your business. Rather, we’re here to give you the tools you need to adopt regenerative management principles on your farm most effectively.

Our partnership approach will also connect you to a community of local Western Australian farmers participating in soil carbon sequestration projects, offering a long-term and supportive learning environment.

Soil carbon farming benefits

  • Soil Health Icon

    Soil Health

    Improve your soil health and the quality of your produce.

  • Water Cycle

    Increased Effective Rainfall

    Healthy soil allows more rain to penetrate and minimises runoff and erosion. It reduces direct evaporation from the soil surface and increases transpiration from deeper soil water.

  • Farm Income Diversification

    Income Diversification

    Broaden your farm’s income streams by potentially accessing carbon credit and other income.

  • Sustainability & Resilience

    Sustainability & Resilience

    Soil carbon farming is an investment in your future legacy and that of our planet.

  • Peer Support

    Community Building

    Become part of a trusted network of farmers who are changing their land management practises; to test ideas, share information and enjoy regular online and face-to-face engagement

  • Health & Wellbeing

    Health & Wellbeing

    A profitable farm with healthy soil allows for the improved health and well-being of you, the farmer and your family, as well as plants, animals and rural communities.

The Process

  • To be eligible for the program, you must:

    • Have a cleared or cropped farming area of at least 250 hectares; 

    • Be in the South-West Land Division of Western Australia; and

    • Adopt one new management practice for the project's life to store carbon in your soil.

    Visit out Farmers Ask Questions page to find out more about eligible land and management practices.

    To get started, we’ll need information about your recent land use activities, such as cropping activities, livestock production and average herd numbers. You can also get a baseline farm emissions report using our free tool.

  • Once you’ve met the eligibility criteria, we register your project with the Australian Clean Energy Regulator (CER).

  • Baseline soil testing will be carried out by our experienced team using advanced soil sampling equipment and technology.

  • Carbon Sync’s team will work with you through the life of your carbon farming project. We will assist you to identify the regenerative management practices best suited to enhance the health of your farm ecosystem.

  • Carbon Sync will provide on-farm and virtual education and support (including peer support) throughout the 25-year project.

  • Re-sampling and soil testing of the project area are performed between 18 months and five years after baseline sampling.

  • When your soil organic carbon has increased, we will apply for issue of carbon credits (ACCUs) for you from the CER.

  • When you work with Carbon Sync, you control your carbon credits. You can choose to hold or sell your credits. In the event you choose to sell your credits, Carbon Sync can help. We hold an Australian Financial Services Licence, which enables us to transact with the industrial sector, capturing the highest value for your credits. Carbon Sync does not charge fees for this service.

ROI

Soil Carbon Farming is a substantial undertaking that has the potential to result in farm profitability gains and revenue diversification.

The following statements regarding potential returns on investment are subject to Carbon Sync’s Financial Disclaimer, accessible within our Terms of Service page.

  • Soil carbon sequestration from our program can lead to carbon credits (ACCUs) being issued by the Clean Energy Regulator. Depending on the sequestration rate and ACCU price, farmers could conservatively earn between $650 and $4300 per hectare (net) in carbon credits over the life of a project. This is not financial advice. Please read our Terms of Service for further information on our financial disclaimer. You can also read more about the potential income from ACCUs here.

  • Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from the healthy function of natural ecosystems, and include functions such as pollination, water and mineral cycling.

    A mechanism being built to pay farmers for ecosystem services is called the Nature Repair Market. The legislation to enable this was passed by the Federal Government in 2023. The Nature Repair Market will operate similarly to the carbon market and will pay farmers for activities like protecting remnant vegetation and wildlife habitat. It will involve farmers following legislated methods in the same way as the carbon market. It will be designed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and be administered by the Clean Energy Regulator. There are also opportunities for farmers to obtain incentives within agrifood supply chains.

  • Multinational agrifood businesses have announced ambitious decarbonisation plans; PepsiCo, for example, aims to reduce scope three emissions (emissions from downstream and upstream activties in their supply chain) by 40% by 2030 and has invested $300 million in regenerative agriculture extension programs in North America to support farmer adoption of climate and nature-positive practices.

    Because these companies don't have any relationships with the producers of their feedstocks, which contribute to their scope three emissions, they are considering partnering with companies like Carbon Sync to deliver these projects.

    Carbon Sync is actively engaging with off-take partners to sponsor a scope three insetting program for WA growers. Returns to farmers can range from payments per hectare for adopting certain practices, such as ceasing stubble burning, payments for actual emissions reductions, sponsorship of emissions reduction technologies and priority market access.

    Insetting projects can take place alongside carbon sequestration projects.

  • Farmers that pursue the creation of low-carbon or carbon-neural commodities may be able to access ‘Green Financial Products’ from banks and insurers that reward farmers for their environmental stewardship. These can take the form of discounted mortgage rates and insurance premiums.