Farmers Ask Questions

Below is a list of the common questions we get asked about carbon farming, and some questions about Carbon Sync’s business and process. Please click on the relevant link for a full response, and if you can’t see your question answered here, please contact us to send a query.

Carbon Farming

  • Carbon is a chemical element that plays a crucial role in agriculture and is found in various forms within the agricultural ecosystem. It is an essential component of organic matter and organic carbon, which are vital for soil health, crop growth, and sustainable agricultural practices. Carbon also has significant implications for climate change mitigation and food security.

    In the context of agriculture, organic matter refers to the decaying remains of plants, microbes, and animals, including crop residues, manure, and other organic materials. Organic matter contains organic carbon, which is the carbon present in living or once-living organisms. Carbon in agricultural soils is influenced by various factors, including land management practices, soil type, climate, and crop rotation.

    Regenerative agricultural practices enhance soil health, improve water retention, reduce soil erosion, and promote biological activity in the soil. They also increase the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change impacts, such as high temperatures, drought, and extreme weather events.

  • Soil carbon farming is a method of farming that helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the soil’s ability to capture and hold carbon. It creates a number of long term benefits for the ecosystem, and can increase farm profitability along the way. Soil carbon farming focuses on the carbon storing capacity of soils and vegetation, with farmers using regenerative agriculture and holistic management practices to increase the carbon in the soil.

  • Yes, soil carbon farming has been proven to work in the sequestration of carbon and the creation of carbon credits (ACCUs). Australia’s first soil carbon credits were issued in 2023.

  • Soil carbon sequestration can occur concurrently with agricultural production. Farmers can continue to grow the same crops but do so utilising holistic management and regenerative agricultural practices. These practices enhance the health of the soil, improve photosynthetic efficiency, and can therefore result in carbon accrual in soils that are measured and monetised through the creation of carbon credits.

    This process occurs in three stages:

    1. Removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via photosynthesis. This is the process used by plants, which converts light from the sun into energy. Carbon dioxide is used by plants as a primary reactant in this chemical process.

    2. Carbon dioxide is then transformed by plants, along with water, into oxygen and carbohydrates that feed the plants’ growth. Excess carbohydrates and organic compounds produced via this process are excreted by the plants through their roots, feeding the soil.

    3. Carbon is stored in the soil in a stable form known as soil organic carbon, which has been created through the interaction of plants and microorganisms (microbial biomass). In plants, carbon is stored in the plant itself, either above ground in the trunk and leaves, or below ground in the roots and the soils surrounding them. Under the right conditions, plants can store a significant amount of carbon within their own biomass, as well as transferring carbon into the soil around them.

  • The amount of carbon that can be sequestered in soil depends on various factors. These include soil type, climate, land use, and management practices. In general, soils can sequester significant amounts of carbon, particularly if they are managed to enhance carbon storage.

    Currently, it is not possible to estimate the exact amount of carbon that a given parcel of soil can sequester. The currently approved Australian soil carbon measurement method credits accrual to one metre depth. As an example, if your current soil profile demonstrates that carbon has accrued in the top 10 centimetres, then there is a further 90cm of soil depth that can be used to sequester carbon and earn carbon credit income.

    A recent report by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) outlines the potential for carbon sequestration in Australia across practices including permanent plantings, soil carbon and geological storage.

    According to some research around the world, agricultural soils have the potential to sequester between 0.4 and 1.2 tons of carbon per hectare per year. Furthermore, already degraded soils can sequester even higher amounts.

    The exact amount of carbon that can be sequestered in soil will vary depending on the specific conditions and management practices used. However, it is clear that there is significant potential for sequestering carbon in soil through various land management practices. Furthermore, soil has the potential to be a critical tool in the fight against climate change.

  • To access carbon credits in Australia, a soil carbon farming project lasts 25 years. The Clean Energy Regulator mandates this 25-year period.

  • No. You must continue to produce food and/or fibre on your land during the life of the project.

  • The carbon project is transferred to the new owner. The new owner then has ownership of any ACCUs generated while owning the property.

  • How long carbon stays in the soil depends on a variety of factors, including the type of soil, the amount of carbon that is added, and the management practices that are used. In general, however, soil organic carbon can remain in the soil for decades, while other forms, such as Carbonates, may persist for centuries or even millennia.

    One of the key factors that influences how long carbon can be sequestered in soil is the form that it takes. For example, carbon that is in the form of charcoal or other types of biochar can remain in the soil for hundreds or even thousands of years, while other types of carbon may be more easily decomposed by soil microbes and released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

    Other factors that can influence the length of time that carbon stays sequestered include temperature, moisture, and soil pH. In general, cooler temperatures and higher levels of moisture tend to slow the decomposition of organic matter and promote the accumulation of carbon in the soil.

    In summary, these are some of the factors that can affect how long carbon stays sequestered in the soil:

    • Soil type: Carbon can persist in soil for longer periods of time if the soil is well-drained and has a high clay content;

    • Climate: In cold and wet climates, carbon can remain in soil for longer periods of time than in warm and dry climates;

    • Land management practices: The way land is managed can have a significant impact on how long carbon remains in soil. For example, tilling soil can release carbon into the atmosphere, while maintaining ground cover can help sequester carbon in the soil;

    • Depth of soil: The deeper the carbon is in soil, the longer it is likely to remain there.

  • The amount of land needed for carbon farming can vary depending on the existing characteristics of the land.

    In general, carbon farming practices can be implemented on a range of scales. These include small-scale farms through to large-scale cropping and/or grazing farms.

    The more cleared land you have, the greater the opportunity to spread the initial set-up costs over greater land mass and accrue carbon credits across your land.

    Carbon Sync seeks to work with larger landholders to amortise these initial establishment costs over larger land bases. If you are managing over 250 hectares of cleared land, we would welcome an initial enquiry through our Contact page.

  • Great, this will be of great benefit to your farming viability. And we can help you build more carbon and get paid for it.

  • Natural Capital Accounting is a method that gives a framework for measuring and valuing the natural resources and ecosystem services that farms and other lands provide. It's about understanding and quantifying the value of soil, water, air, and biodiversity to make informed decisions that balance economic activity with environmental health.

    In soil carbon farming, Natural Capital Accounting is used to recognise and calculate the benefits of improved soil health, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services. By adopting practices that increase the carbon stored in soil, farmers enhance their land's natural capital. This has a direct positive impact on the environment, such as better water quality, increased biodiversity, and reduced erosion, all of which can now be measured and valued thanks to this accounting approach.

    Farmers can use Natural Capital Accounting to make better decisions that contribute to the sustainability and profitability of their farms. By quantifying these improvements, farmers can access new income streams, such as carbon credits and ecosystem service payments, providing financial incentives for sustainable farming practices.

    Overall, Natural Capital Accounting offers a way to align farming practices with environmental stewardship, ensuring that soil carbon farming contributes to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

  • No, your farm records remain stored in a secure database. If you’re participating in a Clean Energy Regulator approved project, the only data that will be made public is the location of the project, the land size and the number of ACCUs issued.

  • Like many major projects humans may undertake, carbon farming has advantages and disadvantages. At Carbon Sync, we strongly believe that the results far outweigh the required effort. These results include improved primary production, potential carbon credit income and environmental benefits. The scientific and research community has established these benefits through rigorous studies over many years.

    The benefits of soil carbon farming are realised over time. A soil carbon farming project is a long-term commitment, at least 25 years. The Clean Energy Regulator mandates 25 years as the minimum ‘permanence’ period required.

    To succeed as a carbon farmer, you may need to adjust your mindset. Furthermore, you will likely need to adjust some of your agricultural management practices. These management practices may have been established over generations. A shift of this magnitude can be daunting. Fortunately, Carbon Sync’s team of experts in soil carbon farming will be with you every step of the way. We will work with you, with our “boots on the ground,” to help you to make the required changes.

    Successful carbon farmers are open to learning, trying new things and being comfortable with the fact that not every agricultural intervention will work perfectly.

    The financial and personal rewards for participating in Carbon Sync’s projects can be significant, but they do not come without effort and commitment.

  • Please keep scrolling for the full list of questions and answers.

Carbon Credits

  • A carbon credit is a generic term for any tradable certificate or permit representing one tonne of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas. Carbon credits aim to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere by assigning a monetary value to the cost of polluting the air. They essentially make it more economical for organisations and governments to reduce their emissions rather than simply pay for the credits.

    Carbon Credits in the Australian Context

    In the Australian context, carbon credits are Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). The concept is the same, but ACCUs are specific to the Australian emissions reduction framework.

    Individuals or organisations that carry out activities that reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions under the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) can create carbon credits. These activities can include soil carbon sequestration, reforestation and vegetation management projects and reducing emissions in agriculture and energy production.

    Any organisation or individual can purchase ACCUs. Purchasers include companies who want to offset their carbon emissions, investors who wish to trade on the carbon market, and the Australian Government itself, which uses the ERF to buy ACCUs in a competitive process.

    The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is the Australian Government body that oversees the creation, sale, and purchase of ACCUs. They provide the necessary oversight to ensure the integrity of the carbon market, verify the emissions reduction activities, and track the ownership and retirement of all ACCUs.

    ACCUs can be used to offset greenhouse gas emissions. An organisation that emits greenhouse gasses might purchase ACCUs to ‘cancel out’ their emissions. These purchases are commonly known as ‘carbon offsetting’. Additionally, organisations might purchase ACCUs to meet regulatory requirements or corporate sustainability goals. The ERF also uses ACCUs to incentivise emissions reduction activities and to help Australia meet its international climate change commitments.

    The entire process creates a financial incentive for businesses and individuals to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to activities that offset carbon emissions, helping Australia in its goal to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

  • Farmers can earn carbon credits by storing carbon in their soil or vegetation.

    In Australia, the Commonwealth Government issues carbon credits in the form of an ACCU (Australian Carbon Credit Unit). The Clean Energy Regulator issues one ACCU for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) being sequestered, reduced or avoided as the result of a carbon project.

    Carbon credits are generated at the end of an offset period. This is the time between two measurement events that calculate carbon sequestration. In the case of a soil carbon farming project, this measurement event takes place as soil carbon measurement.

    The number of ACCUs that a soil carbon project can generate depends on a number of factors:

    • the number of hectares being managed;

    • the carbon price; and

    • the amount of carbon that can be stored in your soil.

    Also, the calculation of ACCUs takes into account farm emissions from farm activity. A project’s net carbon abatement is the amount of carbon sequestered minus the on-farm emissions. Activities such as fuel and fertiliser use, as well as methane emissions from livestock are part of on-farm emissions. These are measurements that occur above the baseline, which is established at the beginning of the project.

    With the right management interventions, Carbon Sync believes it is possible to achieve increases in the total soil organic carbon. Our conservative estimate is that a 0.5% increase is achievable in the top 40 centimetres of soil, over the 25-year project life.

    There are other advantages of soil carbon farming beyond the earning of carbon credits.

  • In order to be eligible for CER ACCUs (carbon credits), land must meet eligibility requirements to run a soil carbon project on it. Land is eligible if:

    • it’s used for pasture, cropping, perennial horticulture (such as wineries) or is bare fallow during the baseline period;

    • soil carbon can be increased through new land management activities;

    • you can access the area to sample the soil; and

    • there's at least a 30cm depth of soil.

    Eligible land can be included in carbon estimation areas (CEA) when you undertake project mapping. This means that you can earn ACCUs for increasing soil carbon stocks in the land by introducing a new management activity.

    Carbon Sync undertakes soil carbon projects on land that is at least 250ha.

  • According to the Clean Energy Regulator, the soil carbon method credits ACCUs for increases in soil carbon from one or more new, or materially different, management activities, including:

    • applying nutrients to the land through fertiliser

    • applying lime to remediate acid soils

    • applying gypsum to remediate sodic or magnesic soils

    • undertaking new irrigation

    • re-establishing or rejuvenating a pasture by seeding establishing or pasture cropping

    • establishing, and permanently maintaining, a pasture where there’s previously no or limited pasture

    • altering the stocking rate, duration or intensity of grazing

    • retaining stubble after a crop is harvested

    • converting from intensive tillage practices to reduced or no tillage practices

    • modifying landscape or landform features to remediate land

    • using mechanical methods to add or redistribute soil

    • using legume species in a cropping or pasture system

    • using a cover crop to promote soil vegetation cover or improve soil health or both.

    Undertaking one or more eligible activities may not result in soil carbon increases. Crediting depends on demonstrating an increase in soil carbon above the baseline level.

    Projects under this method are subject to permanence obligations.

  • How much income you can generate from soil carbon farming depends on a number of factors:

    Size of Property

    The first factor influencing carbon credit earnings is the number of hectares that you are farming. The more land area you have available to implement soil carbon farming, the more income you are likely to earn. Carbon Sync develops soil carbon farming projects on farms with at least 250 ha of arable land.

    Carbon Credit Price

    Secondly, the current carbon price will be a major determinant of your carbon credit income. The earnings from soil carbon farming can vary widely, and the actual price of carbon credits can fluctuate based on market demand. The income earned from soil carbon farming may not be consistent from year to year.

    Carbon Stored in Soil

    Thirdly, the amount of carbon you can store in your soil per hectare will influence your carbon credit earnings. Carbon Sync believes it is possible to increase the total soil organic carbon in the top forty centimetres of soil by 0.5% over a 25-year project life. Current carbon price projections assume an upwards trajectory in the coming years. This assumption and Carbon Sync’s estimate of achievable organic carbon increases are critical. But if these variables eventuate, the value of carbon credits could equal or exceed the value of primary production outputs.

    You can get an idea of the value of carbon credits earned by the first projects to be awarded soil carbon credits in Australia.

    It’s also worth noting that while soil carbon farming can generate income, it is often viewed as a complementary practice. It works in conjunction with other forms of agricultural production rather than as a standalone revenue stream. Additionally, the upfront costs of implementing soil carbon farming practices may need to be taken into account when considering potential earnings.

    There are other advantages to soil carbon farming beyond the earning of carbon credits.

    General Advice

    Please note this advice is of a general nature. Carbon Sync provides information on this website in accordance with our Terms of Service. Carbon Sync is a Corporate Authorised Representative of AFSL number 450874.

  • Yes. Your share is in under your control. We can support you to sell your ACCUs at a premium, and if you choose, secure long-term offtake contracts that specifically meet your needs.

  • A carbon market is a mechanism that puts an explicit price or value on carbon emission reductions, or carbon removals from the atmosphere. Australia’s Carbon Market Institute, which Carbon Sync is a member of, outlines in more detail the nature of carbon markets.

Carbon Sync

  • Carbon Sync is a full-service soil carbon farming project developer. We manage the entire process:

    • We register your project, including developing your land management strategy with you;

    • We baseline sample and conduct further soil sampling and testing to assess whether carbon has been sequestered;

    • We provide agronomic and technical support as well as education and extension to achieve the best possible soil carbon sequestration outcomes;

    • We market and sell your carbon credits, with no brokerage fees;

    • We are the project proponent and take on the proponent risk. We are your project partner for the life of the project.

  • No, our specialisation is soil carbon, which is built concurrently with the production of food and fibre. Should you wish to undertake tree plantings, we can assist you with that undertaking.

  • A Soil Carbon Farming Project has a life of 25 years. A lot can happen in 25 years. As a partner, with skin in the game, our success depends on your success. We are here to ensure your project endures through whatever challenges and changes are encountered through the life of the project.

    Our focus is to get the best outcomes for your primary enterprise, which is the production of food and fibre. Carbon is an additional benefit. We are also committed to you benefiting from all the opportunities emerging through the decarbonisation of the economy. We understand the changes taking place in global commodity markets and regulation and will partner with you to enable you to capitalise on the opportunities emerging from those changes.

  • Holistic Management and Regenerative Agriculture form the foundation of our technical expertise. We are farmers, educators and scientists.

    Through structured and unstructured education, peer to peer learning opportunities and agronomic consultancy we will support you to achieve both production and carbon outcomes.

  • Our experts are well-versed in carbon farming regulations and can guide you through the intricacies, ensuring compliance and maximising the benefits available to you. By working with Carbon Sync, you will not need to interact directly with the Clean Energy Regulator.

  • Yes, Carbon Sync is proud to be a signatory to the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct. The Code is a voluntary code and is designed to provide guidance to project developers and carbon project stakeholders.

    Carbon Sync has signed up to this voluntary code as a signal to all stakeholders that we aim to meet the expectations of the code. These stakeholders include project owners, land managers, industry bodies and Native Title Holders.

    Carbon Sync being a signatory means that in developing our products and services, we aspire to deliver industry best practices. We have given consideration to all the risks involved in establishing and managing a carbon project. Further, we have designed our carbon projects to minimise those risks to all relevant stakeholders. Our adherence to this code ensures that certain standards for operating a carbon project have been met.

    Furthermore, in the presentation of our offering to potential customers, we are required to give you all the information you may need to make an informed decision. The Australian Carbon Code of Conduct also has a complaints-handling procedure to support farmers in the event they have a problem with a carbon project developer.

    You can see the list of signatories to the Code on the Carbon Market Institute website.

  • Yes, Carbon Sync is a Corporate Authorised Representative of AFSL number 450874. This AFSL is held by Carbon IQ Trading Pty ltd (ABN: 167 028 211) and Carbon Sync has been authorised to provide financial advice under this licence.

    According to the Clean Energy Regulator, “Australian carbon credit units are classified as financial products under the Corporations Act 2001. This means that some participants may require an Australian financial services licence to buy, sell and trade in the carbon market.

    The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is responsible for issuing licences under financial law, and monitoring businesses that provide financial services in financial products.

    The Clean Energy Regulator also states, “carbon market participants who provide financial advice, trade, or make and operate and market in Australian carbon credit units, or derivatives of these units, require an Australian financial services licence (AFSL). Participants who conduct other financial services such as operating a registered managed investment scheme, or custodial or depository services must also hold an Australian financial services licence.”

    Carbon Sync’s team recognises the importance of assuring its customers and stakeholders that it holds such a licence, and that team members who are involved in advising, educating and/or selling Carbon Sync’s services are fully trained to enable Carbon Sync to operate under this AFSL.

  • Carbon Sync is committed to ensuring carbon credit transparency, credibility and accountability in monitoring and reporting the carbon sequestration outcomes of soil carbon sequestration projects. To achieve this, Carbon Sync’s projects will be registered with the Australian Clean Energy Regulator (CER), which will subject them to a stringent regulatory regime.

    The CER is a government body responsible for administering and enforcing the regulatory framework for emissions reduction activities and carbon offset projects in Australia. By registering with the CER, Carbon Sync’s projects will be subject to rigorous scrutiny and verification to ensure compliance with the necessary standards and guidelines.

    Data and Documentation

    Carbon Sync will be required to provide comprehensive data and documentation on the project’s methodology, carbon capture estimates, and monitoring procedures as part of the registration process. The CER will review this information, and Carbon Sync will be required to conduct independent audits to verify the accuracy of the reported data and ensure that the projects are indeed sequestering carbon as intended.

    Any carbon credits generated through these pilot projects will also be subject to the CER’s oversight and approval. This means that the carbon credits can only be issued after the CER has verified the actual carbon sequestration achieved by the projects. Such oversight helps to prevent the issuance of credits for non-existent or inflated carbon sequestration, ensuring the credibility and integrity of the credits in the carbon market.

    Transparent Communication

    Furthermore, Carbon Sync will maintain transparent communication with stakeholders, including the public, local communities, and relevant authorities, providing regular updates on the progress and outcomes of the projects. This open dialogue will enable interested parties to stay informed and hold Carbon Sync accountable for its commitments.

    By adhering to the CER’s registration and regulatory requirements, Carbon Sync demonstrates its dedication to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the soil carbon farming initiatives. Through this collaborative approach with the CER, Carbon Sync aims to contribute meaningfully to Australia’s efforts in combatting climate change and promoting regenerative agricultural practices.

  • Chevron has provided initial funding to enable Carbon Sync to set up its Soil Carbon Farming Pilot Project. Over the project’s first four years, we will begin soil carbon farming on approximately 80 farms across the Southwest Land Division of Western Australia.

    We expect the first carbon credits (Australian Carbon Credit Units, or ACCUs) to be delivered from years four to six after the pilot commences.

    Farmers who join the Pilot Project and receive ACCUs will retain full ownership and control of those ACCUs.

    Importantly, Carbon Sync remains 100% owned by its CEO and senior staff for the life of the pilot project.

Other FAQs

  • Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions refer to categories of greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with the activities of a business or organisation. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol defined these terms. The GHG Protocol is a widely-used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions.

    Scope 1 Emissions

    These are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organisation. For example, in the context of a farm, these would include emissions from sources like:

    • Combustion of fuel in owned or controlled vehicles or machinery, such as tractors or trucks;

    • Direct emissions from livestock, such as methane from enteric fermentation in ruminant animals; and

    • Direct emissions from agricultural soils, such as nitrous oxide, from applying nitrogenous fertilisers.

    Scope 2 Emissions

    These are indirect emissions resulting from the generation of purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heat, or cooling consumed by the organisation. For a farm, these could include emissions from:

    • The electricity that is utilised to power buildings, irrigation systems, or electric machinery; and

    • Purchased heat for use in farm buildings.

    It’s important to note that Scope 1 and 2 emissions do not include all the emissions associated with an organisation or business’s activities.

    Scope 3 Emissions

    These refer to all indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in a company’s value chain and are not owned or controlled by the company. Consider the food system context, which includes all processes and infrastructure involved in feeding a population. For example, growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, marketing, consumption, and disposal of food and food-related items. In the food system, on-farm emissions would typically be considered Scope 1 or 2 emissions for the farm itself, as they occur directly from the activities controlled by the farm.

    However, when considering the broader food system, on-farm emissions can be considered as part of the Scope 3 emissions for other parties in the food system, such as food processors, retailers, and consumers.

    For example:

    • Food Processors: Companies that buy raw agricultural products and process them into food items have Scope 3 emissions. These include the on-farm emissions from growing the raw produce and products. Furthermore, these could include emissions from livestock production (like methane from enteric fermentation), emissions from soil (like nitrous oxide from synthetic fertiliser use), and emissions from farm machinery.


    • Retailers: Grocery stores and other food retailers also have Scope 3 emissions, including on-farm emissions. They are considered Scope 3 emissions because the products they sell originate from farms, and the greenhouse gases emitted during the production of these items are part of the retailers’ indirect emissions.


    • Consumers: When consumers buy and consume food, the emissions associated with producing that food (including on-farm emissions) are part of the consumers’ Scope 3 emissions.


    For these reasons, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the food system often involve working with farmers to reduce on-farm emissions, as this can lead to significant reductions in the Scope 3 emissions of other parts of the food system. For example, on-farm interventions could include improving soil management to increase carbon sequestration, optimising fertiliser use to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and improving animal health and diet to reduce methane emissions.

    The Western Australian Department of Agriculture’s Carbon-Neutral Grain Pilot Project is an example of calculating and researching the GHG emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3.

    Carbon Sync’s role

    At Carbon Sync, we are committed to working with farmers to reduce their on-farm emissions. We help farmers to measure and monitor their carbon emissions and provide education on interventions and management changes that can assist in reducing a farm’s overall carbon footprint.

    By reducing on-farm emissions, farmers can contribute to the carbon neutrality of businesses further up the food business chain. This can then lead, in turn, to farmers potentially being rewarded in the form of insetting payments. These insetting payments may be accrued on top of any carbon credit income that the farm may earn as a result of soil carbon sequestration.

  • 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.

    Altering land management practices

    Agricultural land represents a significant proportion of the world’s surface, and alterations in farming practices can influence the balance of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions. One of the important ways agriculture can help is through carbon sequestration. This is the process where CO2 is captured from the atmosphere and stored in the soil. Practices such as maintaining ground cover and diverse crop rotations increase the organic matter in the soil, acting as carbon sinks and reducing carbon emissions.

    Regenerative agriculture practices, including agroforestry, livestock integrations, reduced use of synthetic inputs, cover cropping, and conservation tillage, can enhance soil health, increase crop yields, and improve water quality. Furthermore, these techniques can curb soil erosion and promote carbon sequestration, contributing to the reduction of global warming. Alongside this, these practices can bolster food security by increasing agricultural productivity, making them a win-win solution.

    Renewable Energy

    The use of renewable energy sources in farming activities is another promising avenue for the agricultural sector’s contribution to climate change mitigation. For example, farm equipment powered by renewable energy, as opposed to fossil fuels, can reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural production. Similarly, enhancing energy efficiency in agricultural practices can further limit GHG emissions.

    Food Systems

    A more efficient food system can also contribute to lowering greenhouse emissions. This includes addressing food waste within the supply chain, as discarded food contributes significantly to methane emissions. Furthermore, optimizing the use of synthetic fertilisers, which are responsible for substantial nitrous oxide emissions, can also be beneficial.

    The global food demand is predicted to increase with population growth and a longer growing season due to higher temperatures, posing additional challenges to food security. To meet this growing population’s food supply, agricultural practices need to be resilient to the changing climate, including extreme weather events, such as heat waves and extreme heat.

    Support for farmers

    In this context, providing technical assistance to farmers and rural communities is crucial for climate change adaptation. Bodies like the Australian national and state-based Departments of Agriculture and local natural resource management and grower groups have roles to play in delivering this support.

    Strategies like drip irrigation and precision agriculture can make more efficient use of water resources, vital in a changing climate where water availability can be uncertain. Adapting livestock production to reduce methane emissions while ensuring animal health is another important aspect. For example, changes in dairy cattle diets can help reduce the methane they produce.

    Recent years have brought a growing recognition of the need for policy change to support these practices. Incentives for sustainable agriculture and land management, and support for transitions away from industrial agriculture, can foster environmental sustainability while meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

    The good news is that many of these practices not only mitigate climate change impacts but also provide benefits for farmers. Improved soil health can lead to higher crop yields, while energy efficiency measures can lower operating costs.

    While agriculture has contributed to the climate crisis, it can also be part of the solution. Through careful management, informed policy decisions, and the adoption of sustainable practices, the sector can contribute to slowing the increase in global average temperature, making a crucial difference in our long-term response to climate change.