Low Carbon Landscapes: practical carbon project design for profitability and landscape benefits

WHY THIS PROJECT IS NEEDED

Farmers are navigating a complex and rapidly evolving carbon landscape and are looking for clear, farm-specific evidence before making decisions.

This project aims to support up to 18 farmers from southern NSW in progressing their carbon-abatement ideas and designs, up to the point where they are ready to secure investment, while also delivering on-farm productivity and broader landscape co-benefits. 

Through this project, Riverine Plains will work with farming businesses from the Greater Hume, Lockhart, Federation, Berrigan and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Fringe, to map out their production system and finances, and then test where low-emissions options genuinely stack up — from both a profitability and risk perspective.

This project supports farmer-led carbon project design and landscape-scale planning to build confidence, maximise co-benefits and develop investment-ready examples for faming businesses in southern New South Wales (NSW).

Property assessments and modelling of carbon abatement and its co-benefits, such as water, biodiversity and soil resilience, will allow farmers to explore carbon abatement programs in a way that is technically sound, commercially realistic and practical. Practical abatement options include:

• Soil carbon improvement

• Native vegetation establishment

• Improved grazing management and livestock management

• Low-emissions cropping & fertiliser strategies

Project focus

The project will generate at least nine detailed case studies outlining the technical assumptions, measured or modelled emissions reductions, likely costs and benefits, and key implementation risks and constraints.

These case studies are intended to provide practical reference points for other farmers, supply-chain partners and investors considering carbon opportunities in agriculture.

By grounding options in good agronomy, farm business analysis and local conditions, the project will help farmers make informed decisions about what may suit their business and when they may be ready to move forward.

Technical partners, including Field Systems and New South Wales Local Land Services (NSW LLS), will contribute expertise in agronomy, farm business analysis, landscape planning, carbon and natural capital assessment, and extension.

EOI’s now open

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for eligible grain and mixed farming businesses in Greater Hume, Lockhart, Federation, Berrigan and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Fringe.

To be eligible, properties must be located within one of these target landscape areas (TLAs) and be at least 500 hectares in size.

Submit your Expression of Interest.