Savanna fire management - sequestration and emissions avoidance method

This Methodology Determination (method) provides the rules for crediting emissions reductions from fire management practices in Australia’s savanna landscapes as part of the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

Greenhouse gas emissions in Australia’s savanna landscapes are greater from high-intensity fires in the late dry season than those produced from low-intensity fires in the early dry season. High-intensity late dry season fires also consume more dead organic matter, which means that less carbon is stored in the landscape.

Small, cooler fires during the early dry season, if done strategically:

reduce the number and size of large, high-intensity late dry season fires
reduce greenhouse gas emissions
increase the amount of carbon stored in the dead organic matter in the landscape

This method recognises the traditional burning methods used by Australia’s Indigenous traditional owners for thousands of years.

View the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Savanna Fire Management—Sequestration and Emissions Avoidance) Methodology Determination 2018.

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:

Read the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015 for further requirements that apply to projects under the method.

Calculating the abatement

Project owners can calculate their net greenhouse gas emissions abatement manually or use the Savanna Burning Abatement Tool (SavBAT). SavBAT 3 is the latest version of the tool. Project owners should use the version applicable to the method under which their project was registered.

View all available versions of the Savanna Burning Abatement Tool (SavBAT).

Savanna technical guidance document

The savanna technical guidance document must be used by project proponents when estimating abatement.

Savanna technical guidance document [726KB DOC]

Rainfall maps

This method requires projects to use rainfall maps that show the eligible land areas which fall within high and low rainfall zones:

Late dry season maps

This method defines the late dry season through spatial data layers. At the time this method was made the late dry season start date is 1 August and the end date is 31 December.

Guidance materials

The Understanding savanna fire methods in the Emission Reductions Fund document provides additional information for the carbon farming community.

The Savanna fire management carbon farming roadmap supports the ongoing success of carbon farming in savanna landscapes.

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 2018 [656KB PDF].

Visit the Australian Government Trove archive to see the:

At the same time as this method was made the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative - Emissions Abatement through Savanna Fire Management) Methodology Determination 2015 was revoked.