Carbon abatement helping farmers but not doing much for emissions

As the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) runs out of money for carbon farming offsets, Australia is falling short of international commitments.

Under carbon farming, Fairlight Station
can get carbon credits worth millions.

The Emissions Reduction Fund is the centrepiece of the Coalition Government's direct action policy, paying landholders to sequester carbon through revegetation, changed agricultural practices, and savanna burning.

For $2.1 billion, it has bought 180 million tonnes worth of emission abatements over a 10-20 year period, at an average price of $11/tonne carbon dioxide.

The fifth auction, with $440 million to spend on carbon credits, will be announced on April 13.

The Climate Institute has supported the ERF for helping landholders manage their activities, but argues it is largely ineffectual in reducing overall emissions.

Read the ABC Rural story - “Carbon abatement helping farmers but not doing much for emissions.”