Untitled document
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Sequestering Carbon in Soils in Grazing Systems) Methodology Determination 2014
made under section 106 of the
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011
Compilation No. 2
Compilation date: 17 February 2018
Includes amendments up to: Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—CFI Mapping Tool and Minor Corrections) Methodology Determination Variation 2018
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Sequestering Carbon in Soils in Grazing Systems) Methodology Determination 2014 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 17 February 2018 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register ( The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1 Preliminary........................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Name of Determination...................................................................... 1
1.2 Duration............................................................................................. 1
1.3 Definitions.......................................................................................... 1
1.4 Type of project to which this Determination applies......................... 5
Part 2 Requirements for declaration as eligible project............................................... 6
2.1 Eligible projects.................................................................................. 6
2.2 Project mechanism.............................................................................. 6
2.3 Project management actions............................................................... 6
2.4 Land on which project mechanism is implemented........................... 6
2.5 Identification of project area.............................................................. 7
Part 3 Requirements for operation of eligible projects................................................ 8
Division 3.1 Operation of eligible projects..................................................................... 8
Subdivision 3.1.1 Operation of eligible projects—general.......................................... 8
3.1 Operation of eligible projects............................................................. 8
Subdivision 3.1.2 Division of the project area............................................................ 8
3.2 Initial division of project area............................................................ 8
3.3 Carbon estimation area boundaries.................................................... 8
3.4 Exclusion areas................................................................................... 8
Subdivision 3.1.3 Carbon estimation area requirements............................................. 9
3.5 Carbon estimation area requirements—general.................................. 9
3.6 Permanent pasture requirements for a carbon estimation area........... 9
Division 3.2 Restricted activities.................................................................................... 9
3.7 Management actions........................................................................... 9
3.8 Clearing woody vegetation.............................................................. 10
3.9 Organic fertiliser............................................................................... 10
3.10 Restricted activities after start of baseline sampling round............. 11
Part 4 Requirements for soil carbon measurements................................................... 12
Division 4.1 Soil carbon measurements—general........................................................ 12
4.1 Soil carbon measurements—general................................................. 12
Division 4.2 Soil carbon measurements—requirements............................................... 12
4.2 Soil carbon measurements—definitions........................................... 12
4.3 Strata................................................................................................ 12
4.4 Composites....................................................................................... 12
4.5 Sampling technicians........................................................................ 13
4.6 Sampling, preparation and analysis of soil....................................... 13
4.7 Analysis of organic carbon and water content................................. 14
4.8 Commencement of baseline sampling round and project management actions 14
4.9 Sampling rounds and reporting periods—timing............................. 14
4.10 Sampling rounds—frequency........................................................... 15
4.11 Sampling rounds—extension of time by Regulator......................... 15
4.12 Sampling rounds—organic fertiliser................................................. 16
Part 5 The net abatement amount—baseline calculations......................................... 17
Division 5.1 The net abatement amount....................................................................... 17
5.1 The net abatement amount............................................................... 17
Division 5.2 Baseline calculations—preliminary.......................................................... 17
5.2 General............................................................................................. 17
5.3 Greenhouse gas assessment boundary.............................................. 17
Division 5.3 Baseline—general.................................................................................... 18
5.4 Baseline—general............................................................................. 18
5.5 Baseline—emissions......................................................................... 18
Division 5.4 Baseline—soil carbon............................................................................... 19
Subdivision 5.4.1 Soil carbon baseline—general...................................................... 19
5.6 Soil carbon baseline—general.......................................................... 19
Subdivision 5.4.2 Soil carbon baseline—equivalent soil mass calculations.............. 20
5.7 Soil carbon baseline—equivalent soil mass values........................... 20
5.8 Soil carbon baseline—mass of soil................................................... 21
5.9 Soil carbon baseline—cumulative mass of soil................................. 21
5.10 Soil carbon baseline—equivalent soil mass...................................... 22
5.11 Soil carbon baseline—calculating the tenth percentile by interpolation 22
Subdivision 5.4.3 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks.............................................. 23
5.12 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—general................................... 23
5.13 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—single soil layer...................... 23
5.14 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks in equivalent soil mass for single soil layer 24
5.15 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for single soil layer 25
5.16 Baseline organic soil carbon stocks—2 soil layers........................... 27
5.17 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks in equivalent soil mass for 2 soil layers 28
5.18 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for 2 soil layers 29
5.19 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—mean corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for carbon estimation area soil layer.............................................................................. 32
5.20 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—standard deviation of corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for carbon estimation area soil layer............................................................. 33
Subdivision 5.4.4 Soil organic carbon baseline—additional calculations................. 34
5.21 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—additional calculations.......... 34
5.22 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—total corrected stock for carbon estimation area soil layer 34
5.23 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—total corrected soil organic carbon stock for carbon estimation area 34
5.24 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—total corrected stock for project area 35
Division 5.5 Baseline—production livestock............................................................... 36
Subdivision 5.5.1 Livestock baselines—general....................................................... 36
5.25 Livestock baselines—general........................................................... 36
Subdivision 5.5.2 Livestock baseline A.................................................................... 36
5.26 Livestock baseline A—general......................................................... 36
5.27 Livestock baseline A—total emissions............................................. 36
5.28 Livestock baseline A—standard deviation...................................... 38
Subdivision 5.5.3 Livestock baseline B.................................................................... 38
5.29 Livestock baseline B—general......................................................... 38
5.30 Livestock baseline B—assessed carrying capacity........................... 39
5.31 Livestock baseline B—emissions from each livestock group in first year of project 39
5.32 Livestock baseline B—stocking rate................................................ 39
5.33 Livestock baseline B—annual emissions.......................................... 40
5.34 Livestock baseline B—tolerance margin.......................................... 40
Division 5.6 Baseline—synthetic fertiliser................................................................... 41
5.35 Synthetic fertiliser baselines—general............................................. 41
5.36 Synthetic fertiliser baseline A.......................................................... 41
5.37 Synthetic fertiliser baseline B—general........................................... 42
5.38 Synthetic fertiliser baseline B—calculations.................................... 42
5.39 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—general........................................... 43
5.40 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—quantity of nitrogen....................... 43
5.41 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—nitrous oxide emissions................. 43
5.42 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—urea emissions................................ 44
5.43 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—total emissions............................... 44
5.44 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—mean annual emissions.................. 45
5.45 Synthetic fertiliser baseline C—standard deviation......................... 45
5.46 Synthetic fertiliser baseline—total mean annual emissions.............. 45
Division 5.7 Baseline—lime......................................................................................... 46
5.47 Lime baseline—general.................................................................... 46
5.48 Lime baseline—carbonates per application...................................... 46
5.49 Lime baseline—total carbonates...................................................... 47
5.50 Lime baseline—carbon dioxide emissions....................................... 47
5.51 Lime baseline—mean annual emissions........................................... 47
5.52 Lime baseline—standard deviation.................................................. 48
Division 5.8 Baseline—tillage events........................................................................... 48
5.53 Tillage baseline emissions—general................................................. 48
5.54 Tillage baseline emissions—crop residues........................................ 49
5.55 Tillage baseline emissions—residues of all crop types..................... 50
5.56 Tillage baseline emissions—pasture renewal.................................... 50
5.57 Tillage baseline emissions—fuel use................................................ 51
5.58 Tillage baseline emissions—total emissions..................................... 51
5.59 Tillage baseline emissions—mean annual emissions......................... 52
5.60 Tillage baseline emissions—standard deviation............................... 52
Part 6 The net abatement amount—project calculations........................................... 53
Division 6.1 Calculation of soil organic carbon stocks................................................. 53
Subdivision 6.1.1 Soil organic carbon stock calculations—general.......................... 53
6.1 Soil organic carbon stock calculations—general.............................. 53
Subdivision 6.1.2 Soil organic carbon stock calculations—t1 sampling round.......... 53
6.2 Soil organic carbon stock at t1—corrected stocks............................ 53
6.3 Soil organic carbon stock at t1—mean corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for carbon estimation area soil layer................................................................................................ 54
6.4 Soil organic carbon stock at t1—standard deviation........................ 54
Subdivision 6.1.3 Soil organic carbon stock change calculations—between t0 and t1 55
6.5 Calculation of soil organic carbon stock change between t0 to t1—general 55
6.6 Change in mean corrected soil organic carbon stock in equivalent soil mass between t0 to t1 55
6.7 Standard deviation of difference between means from t0 to t1........ 56
6.8 Critical soil organic carbon stock change in each soil layer from t0 to t1 57
6.9 Total critical soil organic carbon stock change in each soil layer between t0 and t1 58
6.10 Total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in carbon estimation area between t0 and t1 59
6.11 Total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in project area between t0 and t1 59
6.12 Total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock between t0 and t1—carbon dioxide equivalents.................................................................................................... 60
6.13 Total critical change in soil organic carbon stock between t0 and t1—discount 61
Subdivision 6.1.4 Soil organic carbon stock calculations—after 3 or more sampling rounds (tx) 61
6.14 Soil organic carbon stock at tx—corrected stock.............................. 61
6.15 Soil organic carbon stock at tx—mean corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for carbon estimation area soil layer................................................................................................ 62
6.16 Soil organic carbon stock at tx—standard deviation........................ 62
Subdivision 6.1.5 Soil organic carbon stock calculations—between baseline (t0) and subsequent (tx) sampling rounds 63
6.17 Change in mean soil organic carbon stock in equivalent soil mass between t0 and tx 63
6.18 Critical average soil organic carbon stock change in each soil layer from t0 to tx 65
6.19 Total critical soil organic carbon stock change in each soil layer between t0 and tx 67
6.20 Total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in carbon estimation area between t0 and tx 68
6.21 Total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in project area between t0 and tx 69
6.22 Total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock between t0 and tx—carbon dioxide equivalents.................................................................................................... 70
Subdivision 6.1.6 Soil organic carbon stock change over a reporting period............ 70
6.23 Soil organic carbon stock change over a reporting period—general 70
6.24 Soil organic carbon stock change over a reporting period—first reporting period 70
6.25 Soil organic carbon stock change over a reporting period—subsequent reporting periods 71
Division 6.2 Calculation of project emissions.............................................................. 72
Subdivision 6.2.1 Calculation of project emissions—general................................... 72
6.26 Calculation of emissions from sources—general.............................. 72
Subdivision 6.2.2 Calculation of project emissions—production livestock.............. 72
6.27 Production livestock project emissions—general............................. 72
6.28 Production livestock project emissions—animal days..................... 73
6.29 Production livestock project emissions—livestock groups.............. 73
6.30 Production livestock project emissions—total emissions................. 74
6.31 Production livestock project emissions—mean annual emissions.... 74
6.32 Production livestock project emissions—material difference between baseline and reporting periods 74
6.33 Production livestock project emissions—total change..................... 76
Subdivision 6.2.3 Calculation of emissions from synthetic fertiliser........................ 76
6.34 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—general................................ 76
6.35 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—quantity of nitrogen............ 76
6.36 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—nitrous oxide emissions....... 77
6.37 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—urea emissions..................... 77
6.38 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—total emissions.................... 78
6.39 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—mean annual emissions........ 78
6.40 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—material difference between baseline and reporting periods 78
6.41 Synthetic fertiliser project emissions—total change........................ 80
Subdivision 6.2.4 Calculation of emissions from lime.............................................. 81
6.42 Lime project emissions—general...................................................... 81
6.43 Lime project emissions—carbonates per application........................ 81
6.44 Lime project emissions—total carbonates........................................ 81
6.45 Lime project emissions—carbon dioxide emissions......................... 82
6.46 Lime project emissions—mean annual emissions............................. 82
6.47 Lime project emissions—material difference between baseline and reporting periods 82
6.48 Lime project emissions—total change.............................................. 84
Subdivision 6.2.5 Calculation of emissions from tillage events................................ 84
6.49 Tillage project emissions—general................................................... 84
6.50 Tillage project emissions—crop residues.......................................... 84
6.51 Tillage project emissions—residues of all crop types....................... 85
6.52 Tillage project emissions—pasture renewal...................................... 85
6.53 Tillage project emissions—fuel use.................................................. 86
6.54 Tillage project emissions—total emissions....................................... 87
6.55 Tillage project emissions—mean annual emissions.......................... 87
6.56 Tillage project emissions—material difference between baseline and reporting periods 87
6.57 Tillage project emissions—total change........................................... 89
Subdivision 6.2.6 Calculation of emissions from all sources within greenhouse gas assessment boundary 89
6.58 Project emissions from all sources—general.................................... 89
6.59 Project emissions from all sources—calculation............................... 89
Division 6.3 Calculation of the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount...... 90
6.60 Calculating the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount— first reporting period 90
6.61 Calculating the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount—subsequent reporting periods 91
Division 6.4 Data collection......................................................................................... 93
6.62 Livestock emissions—data............................................................... 93
6.63 Synthetic fertiliser emissions—data................................................. 93
6.64 Lime emissions—data...................................................................... 94
6.65 Tillage emissions—data.................................................................... 94
Part 7 Monitoring, record-keeping and reporting requirements.............................. 95
Division 7.1 General..................................................................................................... 95
7.1 Application....................................................................................... 95
Division 7.2 Monitoring requirements.......................................................................... 95
7.2 Project monitoring—general............................................................ 95
7.3 Project monitoring—risk of reversal events and known erosion events 95
7.4 Project monitoring—notification of risk of reversal events and known erosion events 95
7.5 Project monitoring—notification of proposed changes to project management actions 96
Division 7.3 Record-keeping requirements.................................................................. 97
7.6 Records that must be kept—general................................................ 97
7.7 Records that must be kept—livestock baseline A............................ 98
7.8 Records that must be kept—livestock baseline B............................ 99
7.9 Records that must be kept—sampling rounds................................. 99
7.10 Records that must be kept—soil organic carbon stock.................... 99
7.11 Records that must be kept—emissions............................................ 99
7.12 Records that must be kept—net abatement................................... 100
Division 7.4 Offsets report requirements................................................................... 100
7.13 Information in first offsets report.................................................. 100
7.14 Information in subsequent offsets reports...................................... 101
7.15 Information in all offsets reports.................................................... 102
Division 7.5 Reporting under section 77A of the Act............................................... 103
7.16 No division of carbon estimation area............................................ 103
Endnotes........................................................................................................................... 104
Endnote 1—About the endnotes................................................................................... 104
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key....................................................................................... 105
Endnote 3—Legislation history..................................................................................... 106
Endnote 4—Amendment history................................................................................... 107
Part 1 Preliminary
1.1 Name of Determination
This Determination is the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Sequestering Carbon in Soils in Grazing Systems) Methodology Determination 2014.
1.2 Duration
Note See subsection 122(1) of the Act.
This Determination:
(a) commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation; and
(b) unless sooner revoked, expires on the day before it would otherwise be repealed under subsection 50(1) of the Legislation Act 2003.
Note This Determination will expire on the first 31 March or 30 September on or after the tenth anniversary of its registration.
Note This Determination continues to apply after expiry in accordance with section 125 of the Act.
1.3 Definitions
In this Determination:
Act means the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.
activity start date means the date from which project management actions may be applied on a carbon estimation area, and which is the later of either:
(a) the first day after the last day of a carbon estimation area baseline sampling round; or
(b) the first day after the Regulator makes a decision under subsection 27(2) of the Act to declare a project to which this Determination applies to be an eligible offsets project.
bare fallow means land that is not seeded and has less than 40% ground cover for 3 months or longer.
baseline emissions period means the 5 financial years preceding the financial year of the project start date.
bulk density means soil mass per unit volume.
carbon estimation area means an area of land that is within the project area and that meets the requirements in section 3.3.
carbon estimation area baseline sampling round means the first soil sampling round undertaken in a carbon estimation area to determine the initial soil organic carbon stock value.
carbon estimation area sampling round means a sampling round conducted to develop an estimate of soil organic carbon stock in a carbon estimation area.
CFI Mapping Guidelines means the guidelines of that name, as published and made available on the Department’s website and as in force from time to time.
CFI soil sampling design method means the soil sampling design method that is included in the CFI Soil Sampling Design Method and Guidelines.
CFI Soil Sampling Design Method and Guidelines means the guidelines of that name, as published and made available on the Department’s website and includes any amendments to the guidelines uploaded by the Department to its website from time to time.
Note Proponents should check the Department’s website and ensure that they have the most current version of the guidelines.
CFI soil sampling and analysis method means the soil sampling and analysis method that is included in the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines.
CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines means the guidelines of that name, as published and made available on the Department’s website and includes any amendments to the guidelines uploaded by the Department to its website from time to time.
Note Proponents should check the Department’s website and ensure that they have the most current version of the guidelines.
composite means a sample created by bulking and mixing individual soil cores collected from different sampling locations.
continuous cropping means a system according to which land is cropped at least once every year, either with crops of the same type or rotations of different crops, and does not include pasture rotations.
critical soil organic carbon change means change in soil organic carbon stock over time with a defined probability of exceedance.
Department means the department that administers the Act.
exclusion area has the meaning given by section 3.4.
fertiliser means any organic or synthetic substance that supplies key chemical elements to plants and soils to enhance plant growth and the fertility of soils.
grazing system means a system of managing grazing by livestock on pasture.
historic management actions means all management practices undertaken in a carbon estimation area between the beginning of the baseline emissions period and the activity start date.
median day means the middle date of a sampling round, or the next calendar date if the sampling round consisted of an even number of days.
National Inventory means the report of that name, as published and made available on the Department’s website, and as updated from time to time.
new management action means a project management action that:
(a) is undertaken in a carbon estimation area on or after the activity start date; and
(b) differs from historic management actions.
NGER Measurement Determination means the applicable determination made under subsection 10(3) of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
NGER Regulations means the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Regulations 2008.
nominated sampling depth means a soil sampling depth that is chosen by a project proponent for each carbon estimation area.
organic fertiliser means any solid or liquid organic product that:
(a) is created using waste products of other industries and processes;
(b) may be applied to the surface of, or incorporated into, agricultural soils; and
(c) does not include polymers and non‑biodegradable substances such as plastics, rubber or coatings.
pasture cropping means sowing cereal crops directly into permanent pasture to produce both crops and fodder.
permanent pasture means agricultural land that is:
(a) continuously under pasture, including perennials and annual grasses and legumes;
(b) not bare fallowed; and
(c) grazed by production livestock at least once:
a. in each reporting period on or after the activity start date; or
b. every 2 years before the activity start date.
production livestock means livestock managed for production purposes and from which commercial products or services are derived.
project area baseline sampling round means a sampling round conducted to develop an initial soil organic carbon stock value in all carbon estimation areas in the project area.
project area sampling round means a sampling round conducted to develop an estimate of soil organic carbon stock in all carbon estimation areas in the project area.
project duration means the time in years between the baseline sampling round and the most recent sampling round for a carbon estimation area.
project management actions means all management actions undertaken within a carbon estimation area in the period between the activity start date and the end of the final crediting period for the project and includes one or more new management actions.
project mechanism has the meaning given by section 2.2.
project start date means the date when the first reporting period for an eligible offsets project starts under subsection 76(1) of the Act.
Note The project start date is the first day of both the project crediting period and the first reporting period of the project.
Regulations means the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Regulations 2011.
renovation event means the rejuvenation of existing degraded pasture by sowing additional pasture seed.
sample means a representative portion of soil from a discrete layer of soil.
sampling design means instructions regarding:
(a) the spatial layout of sampling locations;
(b) the number of samples;
(c) the timing of sampling; and
(d) if relevant, the compositing or bulking of soil samples.
sampling location means the location, specified by a latitude and a longitude, at which a sample has been, or is to be, taken.
sampling plan means:
(a) the position of the carbon estimation areas and the strata;
(b) the number of composites; and
(c) the sample locations assigned to each composite;
within the project area.
sampling round means soil sampling conducted during a finite period to develop an estimate of soil organic carbon stocks at a particular point in time.
soil core means a discrete portion of soil that has been extracted with a coring device, and includes the gravel and fine fraction.
soil organic carbon means the form of carbon contained within soil organic matter and does not include mineralised carbon.
Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors means the document titled Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors for Sequestering Carbon in Soils in Grazing Systems that is published and made available on the Department’s website, and includes any amendments to those parameters and emissions factors based on updated information available to the Department, changes in the National Inventory, or changes in the carbon dioxide equivalence of the gases incorporated into those parameters and emissions factors and uploaded by the Department to its website from time to time.
Note This document is available from the Department’s website. Proponents should check the Department’s website and ensure that they have the most current version of the document.
stratum means an area in a carbon estimation area.
sub-sample, in relation to a soil sample, means a representative portion of an original soil sample upon which laboratory analyses are conducted.
synthetic fertiliser means any synthetic substance that supplies key chemical elements, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, to plants and soils to enhance plant growth and the fertility of soils.
t CO2-e means a unit of measurement defined as tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalence (within the meaning of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007).
tillage means any form of mechanical preparation of the soil.
1.4 Type of project to which this Determination applies
Note See paragraphs 27(4)(b) and 106(1)(a) of the Act.
This Determination applies to sequestration offsets projects that:
(a) aim to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in soil in a grazing system; and
(b) could reasonably be expected to result in eligible carbon abatement.
Part 2 Requirements for declaration as eligible project
Note See paragraphs 27(4)(c) and 106(1)(b) of the Act.
2.1 Eligible projects
To be declared an eligible offsets project, a project to which this Determination applies must meet the requirements in this Part.
2.2 Project mechanism
The project must implement project management actions consistent with the requirements in Part 3 that:
(a) increase carbon inputs to the soil in the project area; or
(b) reduce losses of soil organic carbon in the project area; or
(c) achieve both (a) and (b).
2.3 Project management actions
A project proponent must provide, in the form specified by the Regulator, a description of:
(a) the historic management actions that were carried out at any time during the 5 year period immediately before an application for declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project is made;
(b) the project management actions that will be carried out from the start of the activity start date to the end of the crediting period;
(c) the new management actions that will be implemented as part of the project mechanism;
(d) how the project management actions could achieve the outcomes specified in section 2.2; and
(e) how the project management actions will be consistent with the requirements of Part 3.
Note To demonstrate how the new project management actions could achieve the outcomes specified in section 2.2, a project proponent may provide supporting evidence such as scientific evidence (if available) and other case studies as relevant.
2.4 Land on which project mechanism is implemented
(1) This section sets out requirements for the land on which the project mechanism is implemented.
(2) The land must be within Australia, excluding external territories.
(3) The land must be made up of areas that were under either:
(a) permanent pasture for the 5 year period immediately before:
(i) an application for declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project is made; or
(ii) the first day of the baseline sampling round;
whichever is the earlier; or
(b) continuous cropping for the 5 year period immediately before:
(i) an application for declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project is made; or
(ii) the first day of the baseline sampling round;
whichever is the earlier.
Note A person may apply to the Regulator for the declaration of an offsets project as an eligible offsets project under section 22 of the Act.
(4) Evidence must be provided to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Regulator, that the land was managed in accordance with subsection (3):
(a) as permanent pasture; or
(b) as a continuous cropping system.
Note The evidence referred to in subsection (4) may include:
(a) date-stamped photographic evidence;
(b) invoices for goods received;
(c) invoices for capital works completed;
(d) taxation (and other) records, including of production livestock numbers;
(e) management records.
(5) If any part of the land was subject to continuous cropping as specified in paragraph (3)(b), then the new management actions referred to in paragraph 2.3(c) must include converting that part of the land to permanent pasture.
2.5 Identification of project area
The boundaries of the project area must be delineated in accordance with the CFI Mapping Guidelines.
Part 3 Requirements for operation of eligible projects
Note See paragraphs 27(4)(c), 35(2)(a) and 106(1)(b) of the Act.
Division 3.1 Operation of eligible projects
Subdivision 3.1.1 Operation of eligible projects—general
3.1 Operation of eligible projects
An eligible offsets project to which this Determination applies must be carried out in accordance with this Part.
Subdivision 3.1.2 Division of the project area
3.2 Initial division of project area
(1) Before submitting the first offsets report for the project, the project proponent must divide the project area in accordance with this Division.
(2) The project area must consist of only the following types of areas:
(a) one or more carbon estimation areas; and
(b) if relevant—one or more exclusions areas.
3.3 Carbon estimation area boundaries
(1) This section sets out requirements for the boundaries of carbon estimation areas.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the boundaries of each carbon estimation area must be defined in accordance with the:
(a) CFI soil sampling design method; and
(b) CFI Mapping Guidelines.
(3) Once the boundaries of a carbon estimation area are defined to undertake a baseline sampling round, the boundaries must not be changed.
3.4 Exclusion areas
Land in the project area on which the project mechanism is not implemented must be defined and mapped as an exclusion area in accordance with the CFI Mapping Guidelines.
Note An example of an exclusion area is land that is not used for primary production, such as a residential building and immediate surrounds.
Subdivision 3.1.3 Carbon estimation area requirements
3.5 Carbon estimation area requirements—general
A carbon estimation area must consist of land on which the project mechanism is implemented.
3.6 Permanent pasture requirements for a carbon estimation area
(1) A carbon estimation area must:
(a) have been under permanent pasture for a period that:
(i) commences at the start of the applicable 5 year period specified in paragraph 2.4(3)(a); and
(ii) continues to the activity start date; or
(b) both:
(i) have been under continuous cropping for a period that:
(A) commences at the start of the applicable 5 year period specified in paragraph 2.4(3)(b); and
(B) continues to the activity start date; and
(ii) be converted to permanent pasture as part of the project mechanism.
(2) Once the project mechanism has been implemented in a carbon estimation area, the carbon estimation area must remain as permanent pasture until the end of the final crediting period.
(3) Permanent pasture in a carbon estimation area must be grazed by production livestock at least once in each reporting period.
Division 3.2 Restricted activities
3.7 Management actions
(1) Management actions must not be undertaken within the project area from the activity start date to the end of the final crediting period unless the actions are project management actions.
Note After the end of the final crediting period, management actions that are not project management actions may be undertaken in the project area. Project proponents are required to notify the Regulator if a ‘risk of reversal’ event (defined by subsection 7.3(2)) occurs after the end of the final crediting period and before the end of the maximum potential relinquishment period.
(2) Project management actions must include at least one new management action that meets the requirements set out in subsection (3).
(3) One or more new management actions must be undertaken in each carbon estimation area:
(a) on or after the activity start date;
(b) no later than 2 years after the last day of the baseline sampling round for the relevant carbon estimation area; and
(c) before the t1 sampling round for the relevant carbon estimation area.
(4) New management actions under this Determination include, but are not limited to, the following types of management actions:
(a) converting from continuous cropping to permanent pasture;
(b) undertaking pasture cropping;
(c) managing pasture through:
(i) implementing or changing pasture irrigation;
(ii) subject to this section—applying organic or synthetic fertiliser to pastures;
(iii) rejuvenating pastures, including through seeding; and
(d) managing grazing through:
(i) changing stocking rates;
(ii) altering the timing, duration and intensity of grazing.
(5) The following types of management actions are not project management actions under this Determination:
(a) permanent de-stocking of grazing systems;
(b) bare fallow;
(c) applying organic fertilisers that include crop residue, hay, or straw to the soil of the project area, unless in accordance with section 3.9;
(d) application of biochar, or soil amendments containing coal, to the soil; and
(e) clearing woody vegetation from within the project area.
(6) In this Division:
woody vegetation means trees and shrubs.
3.8 Clearing woody vegetation
Clearing woody vegetation from within the project area may be undertaken only to manage regrowth of invasive woody weeds that:
(a) have grown since the project start date; and
(b) are growing on existing grasslands or open woodlands.
Note Declaration as an eligible offsets project may be dependent on obtaining regulatory approvals, including approvals, licences or permits under State or Territory law (see section 28 of the Act). Failure to obtain regulatory approvals may result in the declaration of the project being revoked (see section 34 of the Act).
3.9 Organic fertiliser
If an organic fertiliser includes crop residue, hay or straw, applying that fertiliser to the soil in a carbon estimation area is a project management action only if the crop residue, hay or straw formed part of a waste-stream from intensive animal production, food processing or manufacturing process before becoming part of the organic fertiliser.
3.10 Restricted activities after start of baseline sampling round
Management actions described in paragraph 3.7(5)(c), (d) or (e) must not be, or have been, undertaken between the first day of the baseline sampling round and the activity start date.
Part 4 Requirements for soil carbon measurements
Division 4.1 Soil carbon measurements—general
4.1 Soil carbon measurements—general
This Part sets out processes that must be conducted when measuring the soil carbon stocks for an eligible offsets project to which this Determination applies.
Division 4.2 Soil carbon measurements—requirements
4.2 Soil carbon measurements—definitions
In this Division:
qualified technician means a technician with qualifications from a nationally accredited course, or formal recognition of trade or prior learning (from a nationally accredited institution), in the competencies prescribed in the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines.
sampling interval means the time between consecutive sampling rounds.
4.3 Strata
(1) At least 3 strata must be defined in each carbon estimation area in the project area.
(2) All strata in a carbon estimation area must be defined in accordance with the CFI Mapping Guidelines and the CFI soil sampling design method.
(3) The strata in a carbon estimation area must be evenly sized within the tolerance specified in the CFI soil sampling design method; and
(4) The same carbon estimation areas and strata in each carbon estimation area established for the baseline sampling round must be maintained for all subsequent sampling rounds.
4.4 Composites
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a project proponent must nominate the number of composites to be included in the sampling plan as required by the CFI soil sampling design method.
(2) At least 3 composites must be included in the sampling plan for each carbon estimation area.
(3) A sample location for each composite must be assigned within each stratum in accordance with the CFI soil sampling design method.
(4) The sampling locations must be located in accordance with the CFI soil sampling design method.
(5) A composite must be created by combining a single soil sample from each stratum in a carbon estimation area.
(6) The soil sample referred to in subsection (5) must be taken from the sampling location that belongs to that composite in accordance with the CFI soil sampling design method.
(7) Composites must be identified in accordance with the CFI soil sampling design method.
(8) Sampling locations in subsequent sampling rounds must be determined in accordance with the CFI soil sampling design method.
Note Subject to subsection 4.4(2), the number of composites taken within a carbon estimation area may vary across sampling rounds.
4.5 Sampling technicians
(1) The soil sampling required under this Determination must be undertaken by a qualified technician or by a laboratory that meets the requirements specified in section 4.7.
(2) The soil sampling referred to in subsection (1) includes:
(a) field-based sample collection; and
(b) preparation of soil samples.
Note Preparation of soil samples includes air-drying, bulking, mixing, sieving, sub-sampling, and handling.
4.6 Sampling, preparation and analysis of soil
(1) Soil samples must be collected in accordance with the CFI soil sampling and analysis method.
(2) The nominated sampling depth must be at least 30 centimetres.
Note The nominated sampling depth may be greater than 30 centimetres.
(3) The nominated sampling depth must be the same depth in the carbon estimation area:
(a) at all sample locations; and
(b) subject to subsection (4), for the baseline sampling round and all subsequent sampling rounds.
(4) If the nominated sampling depth for a carbon estimation area is greater than 30 centimetres for the baseline sampling round, the nominated depth may be reduced to the minimum depth of 30 centimetres at a subsequent sampling round.
(5) If the nominated depth is reduced to 30 centimetres in accordance with subsection (4), all subsequent nominated depths must be 30 centimetres.
(6) Each soil sample must be prepared and a sub-sample taken in accordance with the CFI soil sampling and analysis method.
(7) Each soil sample must be prepared in accordance with the instructions relating to preparation of composite samples in the CFI soil sampling and analysis method.
(8) Each sub-sample must be stored and handled in accordance with the CFI Soil sampling and analysis method.
4.7 Analysis of organic carbon and water content
(1) Analysis of soil sub-samples must be undertaken by a laboratory:
(a) that:
(i) is certified for organic carbon analysis by ASPAC; and
(ii) uses a method certified for organic carbon analysis and gravimetric water content by ASPAC; or
(b) that uses an organic carbon method and gravimetric water content method that has been accredited for that laboratory by NATA under ISO-IEC 17025 (Chemical Testing).
(2) The analysis of the soil sub-samples and the content of the laboratory reports must comply with the CFI soil sampling and analysis method.
(3) In this section:
ASPAC means the Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council.
NATA means the National Association of Testing Authorities.
4.8 Commencement of baseline sampling round and project management actions
(1) The baseline sampling round for each carbon estimation area in the project area must not end more than 2 years before the activity start date.
(2) The baseline sampling round for a carbon estimation area must not take longer than 60 calendar days to complete.
(3) Project management actions must not commence in a carbon estimation area before the activity start date.
4.9 Sampling rounds and reporting periods—timing
(1) A carbon estimation area sampling round must not take longer than 60 calendar days to complete from the first day of sampling to the last day of sampling.
(2) A project area sampling round must be conducted within 6 months from the first day of the first carbon estimation area soil sampling round to the last day of the final carbon estimation area soil sampling round in the project area.
(3) The last calendar day of a reporting period must be not more than 1 month after the last date of a project area sampling round.
Note A reporting period does not need to end after every project area sampling round.
4.10 Sampling rounds—frequency
(1) The median day, month and year of the carbon estimation area baseline sampling round (t0) must be recorded to the nearest day for each carbon estimation area in the project area.
(2) Subject to section 4.11, all sampling carried out in a carbon estimation area after the carbon estimation area baseline sampling round must occur no more than 30 days before, and no more than 30 days after, the median day and month of the date of the carbon estimation area baseline sampling round.
(3) The following details regarding the timing of each carbon estimation area sampling round after the carbon estimation area baseline sampling round must be recorded:
(a) the day (or days);
(b) the month (or months);
(c) the year (or years); and
(d) the median day.
(4) Subject to subsection (2) and section 4.11, consecutive sampling rounds must not occur:
(a) less than 1 year apart; and
(b) more than 5 years apart.
Note Under section 76 of the Act, a reporting period must not be longer than 5 years. The first reporting period will need to include at least 2 sampling rounds—the baseline sampling round and a subsequent sampling round—in order to calculate net abatement for the project. The baseline sampling round should be undertaken as close as is practicable to the project start date to enable at least 2 sampling rounds to be undertaken within the first reporting period at the desired sampling interval(s).
(5) The sampling interval must not vary by more than 2 years over the project duration.
4.11 Sampling rounds—extension of time by Regulator
(1) If exceptional circumstances prevent sampling within the timeframes specified in subsection 4.10(2), a project proponent may apply to the Regulator to seek an extension of time to carry out the carbon estimation area sampling round.
(2) If the Regulator extends the time for the carbon estimation area sampling round, the sampling must be carried out within the timeframe specified by the Regulator.
Note Exceptional circumstances may include poor weather conditions that inhibit site assess or where the soil moisture content is unsuitable for sampling at the planned time.
4.12 Sampling rounds—organic fertiliser
(1) Subject to subsection (2), if organic fertiliser has been applied to a carbon estimation area, the area must not be re-sampled until at least 2 years after the day that organic fertiliser was last applied to the area.
(2) The subsequent sampling round may occur up to 30 days before the end of the 2 year period referred to in subsection (1).
Note See subsection 4.10(2) for the general rule applying to the start times of subsequent sampling rounds.
Part 5 The net abatement amount—baseline calculations
Division 5.1 The net abatement amount
5.1 The net abatement amount
Note See paragraph 106(1)(c) of the Act.
For an eligible offsets project to which this Determination applies, the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount in relation to a reporting period for the project is taken to be the change in soil carbon stocks for the total number of carbon estimation areas within the project area when compared to the baseline, less the net change in greenhouse gas emissions from all sources.
Division 5.2 Baseline calculations—preliminary
5.2 General
(1) In this Part if a calculation refers to a factor or parameter prescribed in the NGER Measurement Determination, the NGER Regulations, the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors, or the National Inventory, the person carrying out the calculations must apply, to the whole reporting period, that factor or parameter from the NGER Measurement Determination, NGER Regulations, the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors, or the National Inventory in force at the end of the reporting period.
(2) To avoid doubt, subsection (1) must apply to all calculations carried out in the reporting period, including calculations relating to baseline emissions.
5.3 Greenhouse gas assessment boundary
When making calculations under this Part:
(a) the carbon pools and emission sources and the corresponding greenhouse gases in Table 1 must be taken into account; and
(b) no other gases, carbon pools or emission sources may be taken into account.
Table 1: Gases accounted for in the abatement calculations
Carbon pool
Greenhouse gas
Soil
Organic carbon (C)
Emission source
Greenhouse gas
Livestock—enteric fermentation
Methane (CH4)
Livestock—dung and urine
Methane (CH4)
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Synthetic fertiliser
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Lime
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Tillage
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Methane (CH4)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Division 5.3 Baseline—general
5.4 Baseline—general
The baseline scenario for a carbon estimation area must be calculated in accordance with this Part.
5.5 Baseline—emissions
(1) The mean annual emissions from each source within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary must be calculated for the baseline emissions period.
(2) If records demonstrating baseline emissions from a particular source and according to the relevant baseline cannot be provided, then it is taken that there were no emissions from that source for the baseline emissions period.
(3) The following must be calculated in relation to the annual emissions for the baseline emissions period:
(a) if livestock baseline B or synthetic fertiliser baseline B is used—the tolerance margin;
(b) in all other cases—the standard deviation.
(4) The material change in greenhouse gas emissions from a given source must be calculated if mean annual emissions for that source in a reporting period fall outside of the bounds of one standard deviation, or outside of the tolerance margin, from the mean annual emissions for that source in the baseline emissions period.
(5) In this section:
material change means a change in emissions from a given source, where the change falls outside of either one standard deviation or the tolerance margin (whichever applies in the circumstances) from the mean annual baseline emissions for that source.
Division 5.4 Baseline—soil carbon
Subdivision 5.4.1 Soil carbon baseline—general
5.6 Soil carbon baseline—general
(1) For the purposes of determining the soil carbon baseline, the soil organic carbon stock must be measured at the baseline sampling round before the commencement of project management actions in a carbon estimation area.
(2) The soil organic carbon stock in each soil layer in a carbon estimation area at the baseline sampling round must be calculated in accordance with this Division.
(3) For the purposes of the soil organic carbon stock calculations specified in this Division:
(a) the stocks must be calculated in up to 2 sequential soil layers in each carbon estimation area;
(b) the first layer (the upper layer) must extend from the soil surface to a depth of 30 centimetres;
(c) if used—the second layer (the deeper layer) must extend from a depth of 30 centimetres (the base of the upper layer) to a nominated sampling depth that is the same depth across that carbon estimation area within the baseline sampling round; and
Note A nominated sampling depth is a soil sampling depth that is chosen by a project proponent. The proponent may choose, for example, a nominated sampling depth of 45 or 60 centimetres. The actual sampling depth is the soil sampling depth achieved at a sampling location. It may be less than the nominated sampling depth in circumstances where, for example, the presence of bedrock prevents sampling to the nominated sampling depth.
(d) for the purposes of the Equations in this Division, the nominated thickness of a soil layer may be denoted by and, if used, .
Note The nominated thickness of each soil layer directly relates to the nominated sampling depth. For example, if the nominated sampling depth is 30 centimetres, the value of Tn for the 0–30 centimetres layer is 30 centimetres. If the nominated sampling depth is 45 centimetres, the value of Tn for the 0–30 centimetre upper layer is 30 centimetres and the value for the 30–45 centimetre deeper layer is 15 centimetres.
(4) In this Division:
x centimetres (x cm) means a nominated sampling depth that is greater than 30 centimetres.
Subdivision 5.4.2 Soil carbon baseline—equivalent soil mass calculations
5.7 Soil carbon baseline—equivalent soil mass values
(1) Variations in soil bulk density must be taken into account when measuring soil carbon stock change by undertaking the equivalent soil mass calculations specified in this Subdivision.
(2) The equivalent soil mass calculations must include the following values for the baseline soil sampling round (t0):
(a) the mass of soil contained in each soil layer, calculated in accordance with section 5.8;
(b) the cumulative mass of soil contained between the soil surface (zero centimetres) and the nominated sampling depth, calculated in accordance with section 5.9; and
(c) the equivalent soil mass contained between the soil surface (zero centimetres) and the lower boundary of each soil layer sampled, calculated in accordance with section 5.10.
(3) For the purpose of calculating each value specified in subsection (2), the nominated thickness (Tn) of each soil layer must be used.
(4) If only the upper layer of soil is sampled, one equivalent soil mass value must be calculated for the carbon estimation area.
(5) If the upper layer and a deeper layer of soil is sampled, the following equivalent soil mass values must be calculated:
(a) the equivalent soil mass from the soil surface to the lower boundary of the upper layer (being 30 centimetres); and
(b) the equivalent soil mass from the soil surface to the lower boundary of the deeper layer (being the nominated sampling depth).
5.8 Soil carbon baseline—mass of soil
The mass of soil contained in the nominated thickness of each soil layer per hectare for each composite sample collected from the carbon estimation area at the time of the baseline soil sampling round (t0), must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC1
Where:
=
mass of soil present within the entire nominated thickness of the lth soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t soil/ha.
=
nominated thickness of the lth soil layer; cm.
=
bulk density of the lth soil layer for the ith composite soil sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; g/cm3.
100 =
conversion factor required to provide the soil mass in units of t soil/ha.
5.9 Soil carbon baseline—cumulative mass of soil
The cumulative mass of soil (t soil/ha) contained between the soil surface and the nominated sampling depth for each composite sample, or samples if the upper and deeper layers were sampled, collected from the carbon estimation area at the baseline soil sampling round (t0) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC2
Where:
=
cumulative mass of soil collected between the soil surface and a nominated sampling depth (either 30 or x cm) using the data collected for the lth soil layers for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t soil/ha.
=
mass of soil present within in the entire nominated thickness of the lth soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC1; t soil/ha.
=
(a) 1, if the 0–30 cm soil layer was the only layer sampled; or
(b) 2, if the upper (0–30 cm) and deeper (30–x cm,) soil layers were sampled.
Note If only one soil layer was sampled, = .
5.10 Soil carbon baseline—equivalent soil mass
(1) The equivalent soil mass () that is contained between the surface and the lower boundary of each soil layer sampled must be:
(a) calculated once from the baseline soil sampling round (t0) data for each carbon estimation area;
(b) calculated as the tenth percentile of the values obtained for each composite sample from a carbon estimation area using Equation SC2; and
(c) used as the equivalent soil mass in all subsequent soil organic carbon stock calculations.
(2) The equivalent soil mass () associated with the tenth percentile must be calculated in accordance with this section.
(3) The values obtained for the cumulative mass of soil for each of the composite samples () collected from a carbon estimation area must be sorted from lowest to highest.
(4) A rank (k) must be assigned to each value of :
(a) starting with k = 1 (integer) for the lowest value; and
(b) progressing to k = N for the largest value, where N is the number of composite samples.
(5) The percentile (P) associated with each value of k must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC3
(6) If one of the calculated values for P is exactly 10, then is taken to be the equivalent to the value of associated with P = 10.
(7) If no value of P is exactly 10, the value of the tenth percentile must be calculated by interpolation in accordance with section 5.11.
5.11 Soil carbon baseline—calculating the tenth percentile by interpolation
(1) The 2 rank values associated with the percentiles that bound the tenth percentile must be determined.
(2) The lower bound rank must be labelled as kLB.
(3) The upper bound rank must be labelled as kUB.
(4) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC4
Where:
=
equivalent soil mass from the soil surface to a specified depth
(eg d = 30 cm, or d = x cm) for the carbon estimation area.=
cumulative soil mass associated with the lower bound rank (kLB).
=
cumulative soil mass associated with the upper bound rank (kUB).
=
percentile associated with the lower bound rank (kLB).
=
percentile associated with the upper bound rank (kUB)
Subdivision 5.4.3 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks
5.12 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—general
(1) The soil organic carbon stock for each soil layer for each composite sample at the time of the baseline sampling round must be calculated in accordance with this Subdivision.
(2) The mean soil organic carbon stock for each soil layer from each carbon estimation area at the time of the baseline sampling round must be calculated in accordance with this Subdivision.
(3) Equations SC5 to SC11 in this Subdivision assume that the nominated thickness (Tn) has been attained.
(4) In this Subdivision:
laboratory means the laboratory specified in section 4.7.
Walkley and Black analysis means the wet oxidation technique used to determine the organic carbon content of soil described in the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines.
5.13 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—single soil layer
(1) Soil organic carbon stock in the 0–30 centimetre layer for each composite sample collected from the carbon estimation area at the time of the baseline sampling round (t0) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC5
Where:
=
soil organic carbon stock in the 0–30 cm layer (l =
0–30 cm) for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.=
organic carbon content of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith oven-dry composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) expressed as a percentage; % of oven dry soil mass.
=
bulk density of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; g/cm3.
=
nominated thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer = 30 cm.
=
gravimetric gravel content of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; fraction of oven dry soil mass.
(2) For the purposes of determining , if:
(a) the laboratory reported:
(i) the air-dry organic carbon content of the sub‑sample; or
(ii) the grams per kilogram organic carbon content of the sub-sample; or
(b) the Walkley and Black analysis is used and not converted to total organic carbon by the laboratory;
then the value must be converted to a total oven-dry organic carbon content using the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; % of oven dry soil mass.
5.14 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks in equivalent soil mass for single soil layer
The soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for the 0–30 centimetre layer in each composite sample collected from the carbon estimation area at the baseline sampling round (t0) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC6
Where:
=
soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.
=
soil organic carbon stock in the 0–30 cm soil layer (l = 0–30 cm) for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC5;
t C/ha.=
equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the carbon estimation area, calculated using Equation SC4; t soil/ha.
=
mass of soil present within the entire nominated thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated using Equation SC1; t soil/ha.
5.15 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for single soil layer
(1) If it is not possible to collect soil from the entire nominated soil layer thickness of
0–30 centimetres, the value of must be corrected in accordance with this section.
(2) The thickness associated with the equivalent soil mass of each composite sample (Tesm) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC7
Where:
=
thickness of the soil layer required to obtain the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); cm.
=
equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the carbon estimation area, calculated using Equation SC4; t soil/ha.
=
bulk density of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; g/cm3.
=
conversion factor required to provide the soil mass in units of t soil/ha.
(3) The corrected soil organic carbon stock for the baseline sampling round (t0) must be derived using the values of Tesm, Tn and Ta, where Ta = the actual average thickness of the soil layer sampled for a composite.
(4) If is greater than or equal to , then:
Equation SC8a
(5) If is less than and is less than , then:
Equation SC8b
(6) If is less than and is greater than , then:
Equation SC8c
(7) The following values apply to Equations SC8a–SC8c:
=
corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.
=
soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t soil/ha.
=
average actual thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; cm.
=
thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer required to obtain the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC7; cm.
(8) The corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass in the
0–30 centimetrelayer () is taken to be the corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 centimetres), as specified in the following formula:
Equation SC9
(9) The value for must be used in all subsequent calculations to determine the extent of change in soil organic carbon stock within the soil layer over time.
5.16 Baseline organic soil carbon stocks—2 soil layers
(1) If 2 sequential soil layers are sampled, the soil organic carbon stock in the deeper soil layer (30–x centimetres) must be:
(a) calculated as the difference between:
(i) soil organic carbon stock to a depth of x centimetres; and
(ii) soil organic carbon stock to a depth of 30 centimetres; and
(b) expressed on an equivalent soil mass basis.
(2) The soil organic carbon stock to the depth of x centimetres must be corrected for circumstances where it was not possible to attain the nominated sampling depth of x centimetres.
(3) The soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x centimetres for each composite sample collected from the carbon estimation area at the baseline sampling round (t0) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC10
Where:
=
soil organic carbon stock in the 30–x cm layer (l =
30–x cm) for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.=
organic carbon content of the 30–x cm soil layer for the ith oven-dry composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); % of oven dry soil mass.
=
bulk density of the 30–x cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; g/cm3.
=
nominated thickness of the 30–x cm soil layer; cm.
=
gravimetric gravel content of the 30–x cm soil layer for the ith composite sample calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; g.
(4) For the purposes of determining , if:
(a) the laboratory reported:
(i) the air-dry organic carbon content of the sub‑sample; or
(ii) the grams per kilogram organic carbon content of the sub-sample; or
(b) the Walkley and Black analysis is used and not converted to total organic carbon by the laboratory;
then the value must be converted to a total oven-dry organic carbon content using the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines.
5.17 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks in equivalent soil mass for 2 soil layers
(1) The soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to the nominated sampling depth of x centimetres must be calculated by adding the soil organic carbon contained in the nominated thickness of the 0–30 centimetre soil layer () to the amount of organic carbon contained in the mass of 30–x centimetre soil required to give the total equivalent soil mass to a depth of x centimetres ().
(2) The calculation specified in subsection (1) must be undertaken using the following formula:
Equation SC11
Where:
=
soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.
=
soil organic carbon stock in the 0–30 cm soil layer (l = 0–30 cm) for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC5;
t C/ha.=
soil organic carbon stock in the x cm soil layer (l =
30–x cm) for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC10; t C/ha.=
equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the carbon estimation area, calculated using Equation SC4; t soil/ha.
=
mass of soil present within the entire nominated thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC1; t soil/ha.
=
mass of soil present within the entire nominated thickness of the 30–x cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC1; t soil/ha.
5.18 Baseline soil organic carbon stocks—corrected stock in equivalent soil mass for 2 soil layers
(1) If it is not possible to collect soil from the entire nominated soil layer thickness of
0–x centimetres, the value of must be corrected in accordance with this section.
(2) The thickness associated with the equivalent soil mass of each composite sample (Tesm) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC12
Where:
=
thickness of the soil layer required to obtain the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); cm.
=
average actual thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample which should always be equal to 30 cm if 2 sequential soil layers are being sampled; cm.
=
equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the carbon estimation area, calculated using Equation SC4; t soil/ha.
=
mass of soil collected within the entire nominated thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC1; t soil/ha.
=
bulk density of the 30–x cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; g/cm3.
=
conversion factor required to provide the soil mass in units of t soil/ha.
Note The average actual thickness of the 0–30 centimetre soil layer for the ith composite sample () should always be equal to 30 centimetres if 2 sequential soil layers are sampled.
(3) The corrected soil organic carbon stock for the 0–x cm layer for the baseline sampling round (t0) must be derived using the values of:
(a) for the 0–x centimetre layer; and
(b) and for the 30–x centimetre layer.
(4) If is greater than or equal to , then:
Equation SC13a
(5) If is less than and is less than , then:
Equation SC13b
(6) If is less than and is greater than , then:
Equation SC13c
(7) The following values apply to Equations SC13a–SC13c:
=
corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.
=
soil organic carbon stock in the 0–30 cm layer
(l = 0–30 cm) for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC5.=
soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t soil/ha.
=
average actual thickness of the 30–x cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) calculated in accordance with the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines; cm.
=
thickness of the 0–x cm soil layer required to obtain the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC12; cm.
=
average actual thickness of the 0–30 cm soil layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0) which should always be equal to 30 cm if the nominated sampling depth is greater than 30cm; cm.
Note The average actual thickness of the 0–30 centimetre soil layer for the ith composite sample () should always be equal to 30 centimetres if sampling to a depth greater than 30 centimetres.
(8) The soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass of the 30–x centimetre soil layer for each composite sample collected from the carbon estimation area at the baseline sampling round (t0) must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation SC14
Where:
=
corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass calculated in the 30–x cm layer for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0); t C/ha.
=
corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of x cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC13a, SC13b, or SC13c; t C/ha.
=
corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass to a depth of 30 cm for the ith composite sample at the baseline sampling round (t0), calculated using Equation SC8a, SC8b, or SC8c; t C/ha.
(c) the net emissions from tillage events for the reporting period.
6.50 Tillage project emissions—crop residues
The quantity of emissions released from the residues of each crop or pasture that:
(a) follows a tillage event; and
(b) is grown in each year of the reporting period;
must be calculated for each year of the period using the following formula:
Equation T8
Where:
=
emissions from residues of crop type v in year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
quantity of harvested crop by crop type v in year Y; t residue/t crop.
=
residue to crop ratio as set out in the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors; t.
fraction of crop residue of crop type v removed in year Y.
dry matter content of crop type v as set out in the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors; t dry weight/t residue.
carbon mass fraction in crop residue in dry matter of crop type v as set out in the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors.
nitrogen to carbon ratio in crop residue of crop type v as set out in the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors; t N/t C.
National Inventory emission factor for residues; t CO2‑e/t N.
=
crop type.
=
each year of the reporting period.
6.51 Tillage project emissions—residues of all crop types
The total quantity of emissions released from residues applied to the project area must be calculated for each year of the reporting period using the following formula:
Equation T9
Where:
=
emissions released from residues of all crop types for year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
emissions released from residues of crop type v in year Y; t CO2‑e/y.
=
total number of crop types grown.
=
crop type.
=
each year of the reporting period.
6.52 Tillage project emissions—pasture renewal
The quantity of emissions released from residues of each pasture renewal or renovation event in the project area must be calculated for each year of the reporting period using the following formula:
Equation T10
Where:
=
emissions from each pasture renewal or renovation event in year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
National Inventory emission factor for residues; t CO2-e/t N.
=
annual dry matter yield for pasture as set out in the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors; t/ha.
=
fraction of residues of pasture removed in year Y.
=
nitrogen content of residues as set out in the Standard Parameters and Emissions Factors; t N/t residue.
=
tilled area for pasture renewal or renovation in year Y; ha.
=
each year of the reporting period.
6.53 Tillage project emissions—fuel use
Emissions released from fuel use associated with tillage events in the project area must be calculated for each year of the reporting period using the following formula:
Equation T11
Where:
=
emissions of gas type g (being carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide) released from the use of fuel type F associated with all tillage events in year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
tilled area for pasture renewal or renovation in year Y; ha.
=
energy content factor for fuel type F as set out in the NGER Measurement Determination; GJ/kL.
=
emission factor for each gas type g for fuel type F as set out in the NGER Measurement Determination; kg CO2-e/GJ.
=
each year of the reporting period.
=
fuel use per hectare; kL/ha.
=
conversion factor from kg to t CO2-e.
Note Values for and are specified in Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the NGER Measurement Determination.
6.54 Tillage project emissions—total emissions
The total quantity of emissions released from all tillage events and fuel use in the project area must be calculated for each year of the reporting period using the following formula:
Equation T12
Where:
=
emissions from all tillage events for year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
emissions from fuel use associated with all tillage events in year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
emissions from each pasture renewal or renovation event in year Y; t CO2-e/y.
=
emissions from each crop or pasture crop grown in year Y; t CO2‑e/y.
=
each year of the reporting period.
6.55 Tillage project emissions—mean annual emissions
The mean annual emissions from tillage events in the reporting period must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation T13
Where:
=
mean annual emissions from tillage events in the reporting period; t CO2-e/y.
=
emissions from all tillage events in year Y; t CO2‑e/y.
=
year Y of the reporting period.
n =
number of years in the reporting period; y.
6.56 Tillage project emissions—material difference between baseline and reporting periods
(1) The material difference between mean annual emissions from tillage events for the baseline emissions period and the reporting period must be calculated in accordance with this section.
(2) If the mean annual emissions from tillage events for the reporting period are greater than the mean annual emissions from tillage events for the baseline emissions period, then the material difference must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation T14
Where:
=
material difference in the mean annual emissions from tillage events between the baseline emissions period and the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e/y.
=
mean annual emissions from tillage events in the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e/y.
=
mean annual emissions from tillage events in the baseline emissions period; t CO2-e/y.
=
standard deviation of the emissions from tillage events in the baseline emissions period; t CO2‑e/y.
(3) If the material difference calculated in accordance with Equation T14 is less than zero, then the material difference is taken to be zero.
(4) If the mean annual emissions from tillage events for the reporting period are less than the mean annual emissions from tillage events for the baseline emissions period, then the material difference must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation T15
Where:
=
material difference in mean annual emissions from tillage events between the baseline emissions period and the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e/y.
=
mean annual emissions from tillage events in the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e/y.
=
mean annual emissions from tillage events for the baseline emissions period; t CO2-e/y.
=
standard deviation of the tillage emissions for the baseline emissions period; t CO2‑e.
(5) If the material difference calculated in accordance with Equation T15 is greater than zero, then the material difference is taken to be zero.
6.57 Tillage project emissions—total change
The total change in emissions from tillage events for the reporting period must be calculated using the following formula:
Equation T16
Where:
=
total change in emissions from tillage events for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
=
material difference in mean annual emissions from tillage events between the baseline emissions period and the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e/y.
=
number of years in the reporting period; y.
Subdivision 6.2.6 Calculation of emissions from all sources within greenhouse gas assessment boundary
6.58 Project emissions from all sources—general
(1) The total change in emissions from all sources within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary during the reporting period must be calculated in accordance with this Subdivision.
(2) If there is a material difference between the mean annual emissions in the baseline emissions period and the reporting period for a given source, this difference must be used to calculate the total change in emissions from that source.
(3) The values for total change in emissions from each non-soil organic carbon source within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary must be summed to calculate a total change in emissions from all such sources within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary.
6.59 Project emissions from all sources—calculation
(1) The total emissions from all sources within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary during the reporting period must be calculated in accordance with the following formula:
+
Equation EALL1
Where:
=
total change in emissions from all sources for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
=
total change in livestock emissions for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
=
total change in synthetic fertiliser emissions for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
=
total change in lime emissions for the reporting period Rc; t CO2‑e.
=
total change in tillage emissions for the reporting period Rc; t CO2‑e.
=
total change in emissions from all sources for the reporting period prior to the current reporting period.
(2) The value for must be equal to or less than zero to be included in Equation EALL1.
(3) If the total change in emissions from all sources within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary is a positive value for the reporting period, then this value must be deducted from soil organic carbon stock change for the reporting period to calculate net abatement in Equations NA1, NA2 and NA3.
(4) If the total change in emissions from all sources within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary is a negative value for the reporting period, then this value must be taken to be zero for the purpose of the net abatement calculations for the reporting period in Equations NA1, NA2 and NA3.
(5) If the total change in emissions from all sources within the greenhouse gas assessment boundary is a negative value for the reporting period, this value must be used in calculations of total change in emissions in the subsequent reporting period under subsection (2).
Division 6.3 Calculation of the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount
6.60 Calculating the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount— first reporting period
Note See paragraph 106(1)(c) of the Act.
(1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the first reporting period for an eligible offsets project to which this Determination applies must be calculated using the following formula:
NARc = -
Equation NA1
Where:
NARc
project net abatement in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
change in corrected soil organic carbon stock for the project area in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
total change in greenhouse gas emissions for the project area from all sources in CO2-e for the reporting period Rc, calculated using Equation EALL1; t CO2-e.
(2) In accordance with subsections 6.58(3) and (4), the total change in greenhouse gas emissions for the project area from all sources () must be greater than or equal to zero.
(5) If the change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in CO2-e for the reporting period (, as calculated using Equation SC31 or Equation SC43, is less than zero, then is taken to be zero.
(6) The change in soil organic carbon stock for the project area in CO2-e over the reporting period (must be:
(a) if 2 sampling rounds have been completed within the first reporting period— as calculated using Equation SC31; or
(b) if 3 or more sampling rounds have been completed within the first reporting period—as calculated using Equation SC43.
6.61 Calculating the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount—subsequent reporting periods
(1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for subsequent reporting periods for an eligible offsets project to which this Determination applies must be calculated in accordance with this section.
(2) If the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the reporting period immediately before the current reporting period was greater than or equal to zero, then the net abatement number for the current reporting period must be calculated using the following formula:
NARc = -
Equation NA2
Where:
NARc
project net abatement in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
change in corrected soil organic carbon stock for the project area in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc, calculated using Equation SC44; t CO2-e.
total change in greenhouse gas emissions for the project area from all sources in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc, calculated using Equation EALL1; t CO2-e.
(3) For the purpose of calculating the net greenhouse gas abatement using Equation NA2:
(a) if the change in soil carbon stock in CO2-e for the reporting period (, as calculated using Equation SC44, is less than zero then, subject to subsection (4), is taken to be zero; and
(b) must be greater than or equal to zero in accordance with subsections 6.58(3) and (4).
(4) If the current reporting period is the final reporting period of the final crediting period of the project, then equals the value calculated using Equation SC44.
(5) If the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the reporting period immediately before the current reporting period was less than zero, then the net abatement number for the current reporting period must be calculated using the following formula:
NARc = - + NAR(c-1)
Equation NA3
Where:
NARc
project net abatement in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
change in corrected soil organic carbon stock for the project area in CO2‑e for the reporting period Rc, calculated using Equation SC44; t CO2-e.
total change in greenhouse gas emissions for the project area from all sources in CO2-e for the reporting period Rc, calculated using Equation EALL1; t CO2-e.
NAR(c-1)
net abatement number for the reporting period immediately before the reporting period Rc; t CO2-e.
(6) For the purpose of calculating the net greenhouse gas abatement using Equation NA3:
(a) if the change in soil carbon stock in CO2-e for the reporting period (, as calculated using Equation SC44, is less than zero then, subject to subsection (7), is taken to be zero;
(b) must be greater than or equal to zero in accordance with subsections 6.58(3) and (4); and
(c) NAR(c-1) must be less than zero.
(7) If the current reporting period is the final reporting period of the project, then must be the value calculated using Equation SC44.
Division 6.4 Data collection
6.62 Livestock emissions—data
(1) For each year of the baseline emissions period, the following information is required for livestock baseline A:
(a) the number of animals in each livestock group within the project area for that year; and
(b) the number of days in each year that each livestock group was within the project area.
(2) For the baseline emissions period, the following information is required for livestock baseline B:
(a) the assessed carrying capacity for the project area:
(i) expressed as the appropriate animal unit for the region; and
(ii) provided by the relevant government body;
(b) an auditable description of the process used to derive the assessed carrying capacity referred to in paragraph (2)(a); and
(c) the stocking rate for the first year of the project:
(i) calculated in accordance with the process referred to in paragraph (2)(b); and
(ii) expressed in the same animal units referred to in subparagraph (2)(a)(i).
(3) For each year of a reporting period, the following information relating to livestock emissions is required:
(a) the number of animals in each livestock group within the project area for that year; and
(b) the number of days in that year that each livestock group was within the project area.
6.63 Synthetic fertiliser emissions—data
For each year of the baseline emissions period and of a reporting period, the following information relating to synthetic fertiliser emissions is required:
(a) the number of tonnes of each type of synthetic fertiliser applied within the project area for that year;
(b) the nitrogen content of each type of synthetic fertiliser applied within the project area for that year; and
(c) the number of tonnes of urea applied within the project area for that year.
6.64 Lime emissions—data
For each year of the baseline emissions period and of a reporting period, the following information relating to lime emissions is required:
(a) the number of tonnes of each type of lime applied within the project area for that year; and
(b) the carbonate content of each type of lime applied within the project area for that year.
6.65 Tillage emissions—data
For each year of the baseline emissions period and of a reporting period, the following information relating to tillage emissions is required:
(a) the quantity of each crop type harvested within the project area for that year; and
(b) the total number of hectares of the project area that underwent a tillage event in each baseline and project year.
Part 7 Monitoring, record-keeping and reporting requirements
Note See subsection 106(3) of the Act.
Division 7.1 General
7.1 Application
A project proponent of an eligible offsets project to which this Determination applies must comply with the monitoring, record‑keeping and reporting requirements of this Part.
Division 7.2 Monitoring requirements
7.2 Project monitoring—general
(1) A project proponent must undertake monitoring specified in this Division.
(2) The proponent must provide to the Regulator the information specified in this Division.
7.3 Project monitoring—risk of reversal events and known erosion events
(1) The proponent must monitor risk of reversal events and known erosion events in the project area.
(2) A ‘risk of reversal event’ occurs when a portion of the project area referred to in paragraph 7.4(1)(c):
(a) is subject to bare fallow;
(b) is subject to a fire or other event that reduces surface vegetation cover below 40%; or
(c) is converted from permanent pasture to cropland with no pasture cover.
7.4 Project monitoring—notification of risk of reversal events and known erosion events
(1) The proponent must notify the Regulator in writing if a risk of reversal event, or a known erosion event:
(a) occurs after the date that credits are first issued; and
(b) if the relevant declaration for the project under section 27 of the Act has never been varied so as to amend the project area—the period that has passed since the first occasion on which credits were issued in relation to the project is shorter than the maximum potential relinquishment period for the project; and
(c) if the relevant declaration for the project under section 27 of the Act has been varied so as to amend the project area—the period that has passed since the last occasion on which the declaration was so varied is shorter than the maximum potential relinquishment period for the project; and
(d) affects the smaller of the following portions of the total project area:
(i) 5%; or
(ii) 50 hectares.
Note See section 87 of the Act for the meaning of maximum potential relinquishment period.
(2) The proponent must notify the Regulator within 90 days of the date that the risk of reversal event or known erosion event commenced or was discovered by the proponent.
(3) Notification of a risk of reversal event or a known erosion event must set out:
(a) the nature of the event;
(b) the parts of the project area affected by the event;
(c) the date on which the event either commenced or was discovered by the proponent; and
(d) any reasonable steps taken by the proponent to mitigate the effect of a risk of reversal event or known erosion event on soil carbon stocks.
7.5 Project monitoring—notification of proposed changes to project management actions
(1) The proponent must provide written notification to the Regulator advising of any proposed changes to the project management actions, including cessation of management actions.
(2) The notification must:
(a) be in the form required by the Regulator;
(b) identify and describe all proposed changes to the project management actions;
(c) describe how the proposed set of project management actions has the potential to increase carbon inputs to the soil, reduce losses of soil organic carbon, or both;
(d) identify the new management actions in the revised set of project management actions; and
(e) describe how the revised set of project management actions is consistent with the requirements in Part 3.
(3) The proposed project management actions must meet the requirements of section 2.2 and Part 3.
(4) The proponent must not implement the proposed changes to the project management actions until the Regulator confirms, in writing, that the project management actions for the project have been amended to include the proposed changes.
Division 7.3 Record-keeping requirements
7.6 Records that must be kept—general
(1) Records must be kept to an auditable standard to demonstrate that the project is carried out in accordance with this Determination.
(2) In addition to the record-keeping requirements specified in this section, a project proponent must comply with the record-keeping requirements specified in the CFI soil sampling design method and the CFI soil sampling and analysis method.
(3) The proponent must create and maintain records to demonstrate that:
(a) the requirements in Part 2 have been satisfied;
(b) the soil sampling plan has been designed in accordance with the CFI soil sampling design method;
(c) the soil sampling and analysis has been carried out in accordance with:
(i) the CFI soil sampling design method; and
(ii) the CFI soil sampling and analysis method.
(d) the project management actions occurred:
(i) as described to the Regulator under sections 2.2, and 7.5; and
(ii) in accordance with section 3.7;
(e) reported rates of soil organic carbon stock change have been calculated in accordance with Part 6;
(f) emissions from livestock, synthetic fertiliser, lime and tillage events have been calculated in accordance with Parts 5 and 6; and
(g) net abatement was calculated in accordance with Part 6.
(4) The proponent must record the date on which new management actions were first implemented within each carbon estimation area.
(5) The proponent must create and maintain to an auditable standard records demonstrating that the project management actions took place in the years after the activity start date and before the end of the final crediting period of the project.
Note Records referred to in subsection 7.6(5) may include:
(a) taxation records;
(b) shareholder statements;
(c) log-books;
(d) farm management records;
(e) herd books;
(f) invoices for goods or services;
(g) planning approvals or inspection reports from government agencies or authorities;
(h) grazing management plans;
(i) date-stamped photographs or aerial photographs with GPS coordinates.
(6) The proponent must maintain the following taxation or other similar records to an auditable standard:
(a) for all purchases of synthetic fertiliser, lime, seed, or any other materials relevant to calculating emissions from sources in the greenhouse gas assessment boundary;
(b) that identify the type and composition of all of the following substances applied to the project area during the baseline emissions period and the reporting periods:
(i) synthetic fertiliser containing urea;
(ii) synthetic fertiliser not containing urea; and
(iii) lime containing carbonates;
(c) that show the tonnage of all harvested crops (whether for sale or otherwise) from within the project area.
(7) The records specified in subsections (5) and (6) must be sufficient to verify the data inputs used to calculate baseline and project emissions in accordance with Parts 5 and 6.
7.7 Records that must be kept—livestock baseline A
(1) If a project proponent uses livestock baseline A, the proponent must keep the following records:
(a) taxation records of the annual opening and closing inventory of numbers of production livestock kept on the project area for each year of the baseline emissions period;
(b) records documenting movements in the number of animals during the year, from births, deaths and sales during the year; and
(c) taxation records from the project area indicating the numbers of livestock from which products and services are sold.
Note The data referred to in paragraph 7.7(1)(b) may be supported by National Livestock Identification System tag records for sales and movements from the project area.
(2) The records specified in paragraph (1)(a) must be:
(a) supported by one or both of the following:
(i) the herd book used to prepare the tax records;
(ii) the National Livestock Identification System; and
(b) sufficient to verify the data required by section 6.62.
Note Section 6.62 specifies the information required for livestock baseline A.
7.8 Records that must be kept—livestock baseline B
(1) If a project proponent uses livestock baseline B, the proponent must keep records of the assessment of the carrying capacity of the project area used to complete the Equations in Subdivision 5.5.3.
(2) The records specified in subsection (1) must:
(a) be from the relevant state or territory government agency; and
(b) apply to the relevant year, or years, of the baseline emissions period.
7.9 Records that must be kept—sampling rounds
A project proponent must keep the following records relating to the timing and frequency of sampling rounds:
(a) records of the day, month and year of the baseline sampling round for each carbon estimation area in the project area;
(b) records of the day, month and year of all carbon estimation area sampling rounds subsequent to the carbon estimation area baseline sampling round; and
(c) evidence to support the use of the extended period for carrying out sampling as described in section 4.11.
Note Section 4.11 allows a project proponent in exceptional circumstances to apply to the Regulator to extend the time to carry out a carbon estimation area sampling round.
7.10 Records that must be kept—soil organic carbon stock
A project proponent must keep the following records relating to the calculation of soil organic carbon stock and soil organic carbon stock change over time:
(a) data inputs and calculations for all equations in the CFI Soil Sampling and Analysis Method and Guidelines to calculate the parameters required to calculate the soil organic carbon stock in each composite sample;
(b) data inputs and calculations for Equations SC1–SC16 to calculate soil organic carbon stocks; and
(c) data inputs and calculations for Equations SC20–SC44 to calculate change in soil organic carbon stocks over time.
7.11 Records that must be kept—emissions
A project proponent must keep records relating to the calculation of emissions from livestock, synthetic fertiliser, lime and tillage events in the baseline emissions period and reporting period (or periods) for all equations in Divisions 5.5–5.8 and 6.2.
7.12 Records that must be kept—net abatement
(1) A project proponent must keep records relating to the calculation of the net abatement number, as calculated using Equations NA1–NA3.
(2) If project proponents use the CFI Soil Carbon in Grazing Systems Calculator to calculate the net abatement number, they must keep digital or hard copies of all data inputs and outputs to and from the calculator.
(3) In this section:
CFI Soil Carbon in Grazing Systems Calculator means the online tool of that name, as published and made available on the Department’s website and as in force from time to time.
Division 7.4 Offsets report requirements
7.13 Information in first offsets report
(1) The following information must be included in the first offsets report for a project to which this Determination applies:
(a) a description of the project management actions implemented in the project area;
(b) the day, month and year of:
(i) the baseline sampling round and each subsequent sampling round for each carbon estimation area in the reporting period;
(ii) the first day and last day of the project area baseline sampling round and the first day and last day of each subsequent project area sampling round in the reporting period; and
(c) the date on which new management actions were first implemented within each carbon estimation area.
(2) If no more than 2 sampling rounds have been completed prior to the end of the first reporting period, the following results relating to the calculation of soil organic carbon stock change must be reported:
(a) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for each soil layer of each carbon estimation area over the period t0 to t1 with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC27;
(b) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for each carbon estimation area over the period t0 to t1 with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC28;
(c) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for the project area over the period t0 to t1 with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC29;
(d) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock (in CO2‑e) in the equivalent soil mass for the project area over the period t0 to t1 with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC30; and
(e) the value calculated for the discounted change in corrected soil organic carbon stock (in CO2‑e) in the equivalent soil mass for the project area over the period t0 to t1 from Equation SC31.
(3) If more than 2 sampling rounds have been completed prior to the end of the first reporting period, the following results relating to the calculation of soil organic carbon stock change must be reported:
(a) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for each soil layer of each carbon estimation area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC40;
(b) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for each carbon estimation area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC41;
(c) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for the project area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC42; and
(d) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock (in CO2-e) for the equivalent soil mass for the project area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC43.
7.14 Information in subsequent offsets reports
The following information must be included in the second and subsequent offsets reports for a project to which this Determination applies:
(a) any changes to the project management actions implemented in the project area in accordance with section 7.5;
(b) the day, month and year of the first day and last day of each:
(i) carbon estimation area sampling round in the reporting period; and
(ii) project area sampling round in the reporting period; and
(c) the following results relating to the calculation of soil organic carbon stock change:
(i) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for each soil layer of each carbon estimation area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC40;
(ii) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for each carbon estimation area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC41;
(iii) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock in the equivalent soil mass for the project area over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC42;
(iv) the value calculated for the total critical change in corrected soil organic carbon stock for the equivalent soil mass for the project area (in CO2-e) over the period t0 to tx with a probability of exceedance of 60% from Equation SC43; and
(v) the value calculated for the change in corrected soil organic carbon stock for the equivalent soil mass for the project area (in CO2-e) for the current reporting period from Equation SC44.
7.15 Information in all offsets reports
(1) The information specified in this section must be included in all offsets reports for a project to which this Determination applies.
(2) All reports must contain the following information in relation to the greenhouse gas sources specified in subsection (3):
(a) the mean annual emissions for:
(i) the baseline emissions period; and
(ii) the reporting period;
(b) the standard deviation or tolerance margin (where relevant);
(c) the material difference (if any) between the mean annual emissions from the baseline emissions period and the mean annual emissions from the reporting period; and
(d) the total change in emissions between the baseline emissions period and the reporting period.
(3) The relevant greenhouse gas sources for the purposes of subsection (2) are:
(a) livestock;
(b) synthetic fertiliser;
(c) lime; and
(d) tillage events.
(4) All reports must contain:
(a) the information required by:
(i) the CFI soil sampling design method; and
(ii) the CFI soil sampling and analysis method;
(b) a statutory declaration by the person carrying out sample collection stating that the sample collection and preparation has been undertaken in accordance with the CFI soil sampling and analysis method;
(c) the total change in emissions between the baseline emissions period and the reporting period for all sources; and
(d) the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount, calculated in accordance with Division 6.3.
Division 7.5 Reporting under section 77A of the Act
7.16 No division of carbon estimation area
For subsection 77A(2) of the Act, the division of the overall project must not result in the division of a carbon estimation area.
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
| o = order(s) | |
| ad = added or inserted | Ord = Ordinance |
| am = amended | orig = original |
| amdt = amendment | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
| c = clause(s) | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
| C[x] = Compilation No. x | pres = present |
| Ch = Chapter(s) | prev = previous |
| def = definition(s) | (prev…) = previously |
| Dict = Dictionary | Pt = Part(s) |
| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
| Div = Division(s) | |
| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | reloc = relocated |
| effect | renum = renumbered |
| F = Federal Register of Legislation | rep = repealed |
| gaz = gazette | rs = repealed and substituted |
| LA = Legislation Act 2003 | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
| effect | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | SR = Statutory Rules |
| cannot be given effect | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
| mod = modified/modification | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
| No. = Number(s) | underlining = whole or part not |
| commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3—Legislation history
| Name | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
| Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Sequestering Carbon in Soils in Grazing Systems) Methodology Determination 2014 | 15 July 2014 (F2014L00987) | 16 July 2014 (s 1.2) | |
| Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Emissions Reduction Fund) Methodology Determination Variation 2015 | 26 June 2015 (F2015L00954) | 1 July 2015 (s 2) | Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, s 126 |
| Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—CFI Mapping Tool and Minor Corrections) Methodology Determination Variation 2018 | 16 February 2018 (F2018L00124) | 17 February 2018 (s 2) | Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, s 126 |
Endnote 4—Amendment history
| Provision affected | How affected |
| Part 1 | |
| s 1.2.................................. | am F2018L00124 |
| s 1.3.................................. | am F2015L00954, am F2018L00124 |
| s 1.4.................................. | am F2015L00954 |
| Part 2 | |
| s 2.1.................................. | am F2015L00954 |
| s 2.3.................................. | am F2015L00954 |
| Part 3 | |
| Pt 3 heading (note)............ | am F2015L00954 |
| s 3.10................................ | ad F2015L00954 |
| Part 4 | |
| Division 4.2 | |
| s 4.8.................................. | am F2015L00954 |
| s 4.10................................ | am F2015L00954 |
| Part 5 | |
| Division 5.2 | |
| s 5.2.................................. | am F2015L00954 |
| Division 5.3 | |
| Div 5.3 heading (note)...... | rep F2015L00954 |
| Part 6 | |
| Division 6.1 | |
| s 6.8.................................. | am F2018L00124 |
| s 6.18................................ | am F2018L00124 |
| Part 7 | |
| Division 7.5 | ad F2015L00954 |
| s 7.16................................ | ad F2015L00954 |
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