NEW carbon farming methods are being introduced, with opportunities to have a say in their implementation, as Australia transitions to an updated Carbon Farming Initiative.
Foreshadowed in the Emissions Reduction Fund White Paper, public consultation is now open.
"The transitioning methods are being updated to ensure that they are consistent with the Emissions Reduction Fund legislation, easy to use and more streamlined," a spokesperson from the federal Department of Environment said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Seventeen legacy Carbon Farming Initiative methods have now been superseded by new methods covering the same activities.
"As part of this transition process, these methods will also be revoked. Existing projects under the methods proposed for revocation will not be affected or disadvantaged.
"These projects can continue to use the method in place at the time of project registration, or if more advantageous for the project, transition to one of the new Emissions Reduction Fund methods."
According to the statement, there will be no reduction in the activities eligible under the Emissions Reduction Fund as a result of the proposed transition process.
All activities which could have been carried out under the 17 methods proposed to be revoked are covered by either the transitioning methods or the new land sector methods under the Emissions Reduction Fund.
In some cases, the transitioning methods also create new opportunities for Emissions Reduction Fund projects to be undertaken in the land sector.
The draft instruments to transition and revoke the methods are open for public consultation until June 2, 2015.
To make a submission on the draft instruments, please visit the Department’s Carbon Farming Initiative transition website.
