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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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  1. Home
  2. Climate change
  3. Emissions reduction
  4. Emissions Reduction Fund
  5. Methods for the Emissions Reduction Fund
  6. Savanna fire management - sequestration and emissions avoidance method

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          • Aggregated small energy users method
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          • Reforestation and Afforestation 2.0 method
          • Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings - FullCAM
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          • Refrigeration and Ventilation Fans method
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          • Savanna fire management - sequestration and emissions avoidance method
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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:

  • 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.

  •   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:

  •  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.

Connect with us

  • Subscribe to updates about the ERF
  • Read emissions reduction news

Contact us

Email emissions-reduction@industry.gov.au

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Last updated: 08 August 2022

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.