Here's how to fix Australia's approach to soil carbon credits so they really count towards our climate goals
Source: The Conversation Published: September 29, 2023 11.25am AEST
Australia's plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 relies heavily on carbon credits.
These credits are awarded to projects that avoid the release of greenhouse gases or remove and "sequester" (store) carbon so it's no longer warming the atmosphere.
Farmers can be awarded credits for increasing soil carbon content. The federal government or companies can then purchase these credits to offset their carbon emissions.
These credits must represent genuine carbon sequestration if they are to mitigate climate change.
As Australian agricultural and soil scientists, we have serious concerns about the way credits are awarded for soil carbon sequestration under the Australian carbon credit unit scheme. There are four main issues with the method that must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Soil organic carbon is the treasure beneath our feet (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
Understanding the carbon cycle
Much like water, carbon cycles through the environment, moving between plants, the earth and the atmosphere.
Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. The carbon is stored in the plant tissue. When plants die, or drop leaves, this carbon-rich organic matter enters the soil. Then it decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
When carbon inputs from plants exceed losses from the decomposition of organic matter, the amount of soil carbon increases. That means soil organic carbon is more likely to increase during good seasons when there's plenty of rainfall available to support plant growth – such as during the recent three-year period of consecutive La Niña events.
The carbon cycle. Richard Eckard, University of Melbourne
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Gabrielle
[City] NSW
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