The Australian Government manages policies and programs to support Australia’s agriculture and land sectors to reduce emissions.
Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme
The Australian Government supports land sector emissions reduction activities through Australia’s carbon crediting scheme, previously known as the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The scheme incentivises Australian businesses to cut the amount of greenhouse gases they create and to undertake activities that store carbon.
Carbon credits for adopting low emissions practices and technologies, can provide farmers and other land managers with a new source of income.
Learn more about the agriculture and vegetation management methods available under the ACCU Scheme.
Reducing methane from livestock
Methane from the digestive process of livestock accounts for around 10 per cent of national emissions. There are currently limited options to reduce these emissions, especially in grazing systems.
The Australian Government has a suite of programs to support the development and deployment of technologies to reduce methane emissions from livestock.
These programs will support Australia’s efforts to identify opportunities to reduce methane emissions under the Global Methane Pledge.
Learn more about how the department is reducing methane from livestock.
Improving soil carbon storage and measurement
Improving soil carbon storage can help reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to incentivising farmers to increase soil carbon through the ACCU Scheme, the Australian Government is funding programs to lower the cost of soil carbon measurement and improve understanding of soil carbon sequestration potential. Reducing the cost of measurement will support more uptake of practices that increase soil carbon storage.
Learn more about how the department is improving soil carbon storage and measurement.
Supporting farmers and land managers
The Australian Government is providing $20.3 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to establish the Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The program will support Australian farmers and land managers, including First Nations peoples, to participate in carbon markets and integrate low emission technologies and practices into their operations.
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- Our department's climate change strategies