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.
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.
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.
Rainfall maps
This method requires projects to use rainfall maps that show the eligible land areas which fall within high and low rainfall zones:
- Savanna fire management low rainfall zone indicative map - Shape file - formatted for GIS software [442KB ZIP]
- Savanna fire management low rainfall zone indicative map [166KB PDF] [92KB JPG]
- Savanna fire management high rainfall zone indicative map - Shape file - formatted for GIS software [1.9MB ZIP]
- Savanna fire management high rainfall zone indicative map [169KB PDF] [96KB JPG]
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.
- Savanna fire management LDS spatial data layer - formatted for GIS software [3.8MB ZIP]
- Savanna fire management LDS end date spatial data layer [645KB JPG]
- Savanna fire management LDS start date spatial data layer [648KB JPG]
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:
- initial method draft and 2016 public consultation
- updated method draft and 2017 public consultation.
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.
Read more
- View the Savanna fire management – emissions avoidance method
- Read about the Emissions Reduction Fund, including our department’s role.
- Read more about method development and available methods.
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