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Results updated 20 January 2022
The Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative – Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Methodology Determination 2022 came into effect on 19 January 2022.
The method credits carbon stored and emissions avoided through the introduction of tidal flow to help establish coastal wetland ecosystems.
Read the method.
See the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) advice to the Minister on our department’s website.
Overview
In late 2020, the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction tasked the Clean Energy Regulator with developing a blue carbon method under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).
Eligible projects under this method will introduce tidal flows to completely or partially drained coastal wetland ecosystems. This is done by removing or modifying part of a tidal restriction mechanism such as a sea wall, bund, drain or tidal gate.
A blue carbon project achieves carbon abatement by:
increasing the carbon stored in soil and vegetation and;
avoiding emissions from soils as they are rewetted, or as freshwater wetlands are returned to saline wetlands.
Projects can earn Australian Carbon Credit Units for the emissions stored and avoided by their project.
Why we are consulting
The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee is seeking feedback on a proposed new methodology determination under the Emissions Reduction Fund:
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative— Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Methodology Determination 2021[531KB PDF] [207KB DOCX]
The proposed method would enable projects that store carbon in biomass and soils and avoid emissions through the establishment of coastal wetland ecosystems to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units.
The Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction is required to consider a range of factors when deciding whether to make a new method. This includes whether an activity under a method could have any adverse social, environmental, or economic impacts. As such, feedback may cover any adverse impacts that are likely to arise from carrying out a blue carbon project under the proposed new method.
Our department is also seeking feedback on the amendments to the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015 to support the method. The proposed amendments to the Rule are detailed in the draft simple method guide.
Consultation documents
Draft Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative – Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Methodology Determination 2021 [531KB PDF] [207 KB DOCX]
Draft Simple Method Guide for the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative – Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Methodology Determination 2021 [1.7MB PDF] [2.3 MB DOCX]
Draft Supplement to the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative – Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Methodology Determination 2021 [266KB PDF] [74KB DOCX]
Draft Blue Carbon Accounting Model (BlueCAM) - user friendly version [568KB xlsx]
Draft Blue Carbon Accounting Model (BlueCAM) - including background data
Draft Technical Overview of the BlueCAM [2.2MB PDF] [26MB DOCX]
The draft blue carbon simple method guide contains information on the operation of the proposed blue carbon method. The supplement to the blue carbon method details requirements for:
Project extent mapping
The hydrological assessment
Defining Carbon Estimation areas
Sourcing data for BlueCAM inputs
The draft Blue Carbon Accounting Model (BlueCAM) is the tool used to calculate net abatement under the blue carbon method in accordance with the draft BlueCAM guidance.
The draft relinquishment guidance outlines how the Clean Energy Regulator will apply relinquishment provisions of the CFI Act to ERF projects that involve both emissions avoidance and sequestration, such as blue carbon projects.
