What is the Environmental Planting Layer and how do I use it?
This particular layer is provided by independent natural capital consultancy Renovo Ag, and shows the return in terms of the number of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) per year, calculated using the FullCAM estimates, for each 5x5m pixel that is planted out.
In the below example, areas in red have been identified by the model as having the lowest potential to generate ACCUs (generating only 3.78 ACCUs per hectare per year) from the method and areas in blue the highest (generating up to 13.38 ACCUs per hectare per year). This user might decide to focus on those blue areas that provide the highest return per hectare.
The layer can also be used in stratification for sample plan design, which is particularly useful for clients needing to segregate planting areas based on their potential return.
To Use This Layer:
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1. In FarmLab, select the boundary you wish to survey. 2. Choose 'Environmental Plantings' from the premium layer menu 3. Once surveyed, you'll see a heatmap showing the number of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) generated per hectare, per year by planting out that area using the Australian Clean Energy Regulator Environmental Plantings method. 4. To calculate the amount of ACCUs generated, multiply the area you've surveyed by the 'mean' of the layer shown in the Stats menu above the histogram. In the above example, the mean is 5.377 tonnes per ha per year, and I've surveyed 140 hectares, so the total return from planting out the entire area would be 140 x 5.377 = 752.78 ACCUs per year. |
Environmental Plantings under the Clean Energy Regulator Method
Projects under the reforestation by environmental or mallee plantings FullCAM method can earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs). FullCAM is used in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Accounts for the land use, land use change and forestry sectors.
Environmental Plantings projects involve planting native, locally endemic trees and shrubs to a density greater than 200 stems per ha which have the capacity to reach a Forest (20% canopy cover & > 2m in height). Project areas must be maintained as a Forest for the elected permanence period. Values shown on the map are estimated in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCo2-e or ACCUs) per ha, per year, averaged over a 25-year crediting period, un-discounted.
For an assessment of how environmental plantings may fit into your farming business, please contact www.renovoag.com.au. Independent advisory | commission-free carbon and biodiversity projects