This Methodology Determination (method) provides the rules for crediting emissions reductions from pasture-fed beef cattle as part of the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). Emission reductions achieved through altering management practices for beef herds receive credits under the ERF.
Using the method
To use this method and take part in the ERF, you need to apply to the Clean Energy Regulator. The Regulator develops the methods and manages project registration, compliance and crediting emissions reductions for projects under the ERF.
Visit the Regulator’s website for:
- information on the method and how to use it
- project planning guidance, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Estimating the abatement
The Beef Cattle Herd Management Calculator helps project proponents estimate the abatement achieved by improving the efficiency of their pasture-fed beef cattle businesses.
For reporting requirements under the method all projects must use the Beef Cattle Herd Management Calculator to estimate emissions reductions.
Calculator for projects registered under the original determination
For proponents with projects registered under the original determination, the relevant version to use to calculate abatement is version 1.3 (as updated with revised GWP values on 1 July 2020).
Original Determination - Beef cattle herd management calculator Version 1.3 [4.6MB ZIP]
The applicable version of the Calculator for the 2017 varied determination for reporting periods ending from 1 November 2020 is Version 3.2. Please see the release notes for further Beef Cattle Herd Management Calculator version release details.
- Varied Determination – Beef cattle herd management calculator Version 3.2 [9.6MB XLS]
- Beef cattle herd management calculator release notes [114.5KB PDF] [70.3KB DOCX]
Earlier versions of the calculator
The applicable version of the Calculator for the 2017 Variation for reporting periods ending between 1 June 2020 and 31 October 2020 was Version 3.1.
Varied Determination – Beef cattle herd management calculator Version 3.1 [5.4MB XLS]
The applicable version of the Calculator for the 2017 Variation for reporting periods ending between 25 May 2017 and 30 June 2020 was Version 3.0.
Varied Determination – Beef cattle herd management calculator Version 3.0 [5MB ZIP]
The applicable version of the Calculator for the original determination for reporting periods ending before 1 July 2020 was Version 1.1.
Consultation on the method
The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) conducts public consultation before giving advice about making or varying a method. Once finalised the ERAC advises the Minister on whether the new or varied method meets the offsets integrity standards.
Read the ERAC’s advice to the Minister on making the method in 2015 [369KB PDF].
Read the ERAC’s advice to the Minister on varying the method in 2017 [394KB PDF].
See the public consultations and method drafts on our Consultation hub.
The ERAC undertook a crediting period extension review in 2021. Read the review report [208KB PDF] [1.4MB DOCX] and the ERAC’s advice to the Minister [581KB PDF] [1.6MB DOCX].
The ERAC is currently reviewing the method against the Offsets Integrity Standards set out in the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011. The ERAC invites submissions from the public on the method’s compliance with the Offsets Integrity Standards and any other issues with the method. The Committee will consider submissions received by 21 October 2022. Following this, the Committee will prepare its advice to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy based on the outcomes of its review.
Read more
- Read more about the Beef cattle herd management method consultation
- Read about the Emissions Reduction Fund, including our department’s role.
- Read about method development and available methods.
Connect with us
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- Read emissions reduction news