What does an Environmental Planting Carbon Project look like with CFF?

What is an Environmental Planting Carbon Project?

At CFF we help landowners start and manage environmental planting carbon projects. An environmental planting carbon project is typically run under the ACCU Scheme’s Reforestation by environmental or mallee plantings methodology, which. This involves planting, growing, and maintaining a permanent forest of native trees or shrubs on land where deforestation occurred over 5 years prior to the project starting. Projects under this method store carbon in trees as they grow, earning carbon credits over a 25-year crediting period. For every tonne of CO2 sequestered, you earn one carbon credit.

So, what would your environmental planting carbon project look like with CFF?

What sets us apart is our DIY approach that puts farmers in the drivers’ seat and cuts out unnecessary third-party costs. This no-frills approach gives the farmer the freedom to choose their level of involvement in a carbon project. The more work the farmer put in, the more profits they receive, by keeping 100% of the profits.

Step 1: We help you assess your carbon opportunity

We can conduct an indicative assessment to plot out an environmental planting carbon project at your farm, model different scenarios and quickly get a sense of your financial returns.

If your opportunity looks strong, it’s time to order a heatmap and schedule a pre-feasibility presentation with our team, before ordering a comprehensive feasibility report. Check out how the feasibility process works with CFF here.

These comprehensive tools hone in on your highest-yielding land and provide detailed cost and profit scenario modelling, tailored recommendations, and thorough guidance on how to carry out a methodologically compliant environmental planting carbon project. Purchase of our heatmap and a feasibility presentation, and a subsequent report, will give you all the tools you need to make a compelling internal business case and prepare to deliver a successful project. 

Step 2: Get your ducks in a row, so you can hit go

If you are happy with the feasibility report and want to continue your carbon farming project with CFF, at this stage we’ll support you to;

• Get registered with the regulator, so you can get cracking ASAP. Project approval can take up to 90 days, so it’s best to tick off this obligation-free step without delay.
• Undertake due diligence – you might have a forester do a site visit and get a sense of localised seed and planting costs that meet your project objectives.
• Sort out any project funding – we can help connect you to funding opportunities.
• Agree on the terms of your agreement with us – we don’t do lock-in contracts and you can choose what level of service fits your own DIY approach.

Step 3: Design & Planning 

While you wait for registration approval, we recommend you use your ‘on the ground’ knowledge to map out the designated planting areas on your farm, considering factors such as preferred planting design, optimal carbon yields and likely planting success rate.  

You’ll firm up forester advice to support your design, and – unless you are sourcing seeds and propagating yourself – find nurseries, seedling suppliers and any other required contractors. Your delivery workplan will keep you on track, and factor in your ideal tree planting window and the necessary time required for seedling propagation, to ensure smooth project delivery.

Step 4: Planting – get your trees in the ground

Once your project is approved and you have your seedling stock, you are ready to get your trees in the ground! 

To maximise project success, it is recommended to plant your trees according to your key planting window. This window depends on your annual rainfall and will have been outlined in your feasibility report and accounted for in your delivery work plan. 

Depending on your farm’s landscape, it can be advisable to undergo site works on the designated planting areas to enhance soil moisture. Similarly, depending on the soil of the project site, you can choose to undertake hand or machine planting.

Step 5: Management, Monitoring, Reporting & Verification  

Once the trees are in the ground, you’ll take an active role in ensuring their successful growth – managing any pests and threats. The CFF will be here to connect you to independent auditors and complete your regular offset reporting so you comply with the rules and get the credits you deserve.

Step 6: Credit issuance – time to reap your rewards

Here’s the exciting part! At least every five years, after you report to the regulator, you’ll be issued carbon credits. 60% of credits are issued in the first ten years of your project. What you do with them is up to you – you can choose to retire them to attain carbon neutrality, hold on to them as an appreciating asset or sell them into the lucrative open market. Your credits, your choice. 

Some Other Handy Resources

Could a native tree project work at your place? We have a bunch of nifty resources that further explain how to assess your tree-planting opportunity and how CFF’s DIY approach can best support you. 

• Environmental Planting 101
• What is an Environmental Planting Carbon Feasibility Report?
• Check out a CFF led Environmental Planting Carbon Project in Action

Ready to find out more?

Explore our range of educational resources in our Carbon Farming Education Hub where we frequently publish educational articles, webinars, and guidebooks. 

When you’re ready to explore the feasibility of undertaking a carbon project on your property, email us at hello@carbonfarming.org.au or give us a bell at (08) 6835 1140 to be connected with one of our project facilitators.