ON FARM NATIONAL abatement-only or abatement and has a rotational program of burning, For example, ILC’s projects fall under sequestration. The sequestration with each eligible area burned every the 2015 Savanna Methodology component can potentially double or three to four years to encourage which requires documentation of fuel triple the Australian carbon credit unit biodiversity and maintain stock used during the project; however, yield but has a 25-year or 100-year feed availability. the 2018 revision does not require carbon maintenance obligation tied this information. to the land title. Record keeping ILC uses a range of tools to measure Jonathan said the initial set-up for The methodology requires an increase and monitor carbon emission reduction carbon accounting and project in the proportion of early dry season from savanna burning, including: registration can be challenging, but burning in areas with more than 600mm • North Australia and Rangelands the Clean Energy Regulator is a useful long-term average annual rainfall. Fire Informati source of information and guidance in on managing this process. Project approval also depends on a firenorth.org.au: this online tool right to carry out the project and, for provides satellite imagery to track fires “The on-ground challenges have been most areas, this means traditional • Savanna Burning Abatement Tool timing burns to prevent wildfire risk and owner consent is required. savbat.environment.gov.au: the maintain feed availability,” he said. ILC’s Manager for Carbon and online tool automates the geographic “Communication with other landholders Environment Jonathan Green information systems processes and has also been important; we check with encourages anyone considering mathematical calculations required to our neighbours to see if they want to registering a savanna fire project to estimate greenhouse gas emissions burn their side of the boundary at the begin the conversation with traditional abatement andsequestration with the same time, to share helicopter costs.” owners as early as possible. recently released new Savanna Fire Management Methodology ILC has other programs to reduce “A respectful, well-informed and • Clean Energy Regulator carbon emissions on their pastoral unhurried discussion will increase the cleanenergyregulator.gov.au: enterprises, including: likelihood of consent being granted,” the government body responsible for • replacing some diesel power he said. accelerating carbon abatement for generation with solar-powered Genuine collaboration with traditional Australia through the administration alternatives owners can be seen at Fish River, of the National Greenhouse and • reducing herd emissions through where Indigenous rangers undertake Energy Reporting scheme, Renewable earlier turn-off, reduced mortality and annual savanna burning. Energy Target and the Emissions increased fertility Reduction Fund • training staff to manage grazing land Controlled burning moves across • Australian national registry of as efficiently as possible. the northern savannas from west to emissions units: an electronic system east each year, and the annual burn to trackthe location and ownership of ILC has registered a herd methodology generally takes several weeks to Australiancarboncredit units issued project to reduce herd emissions but complete on each station. underthe undEmissions Reduction F this has not yet reached the stage . of generating Australian carbon One challenge is getting the timing right Land managers also have to credit units. ■ – grasses won’t burn if they aren’t dry stay on top of changes to the enough, but if left too late, the savanna carbon-accounting process. is too dry and fires can potentially Indigenous Land Corporation: spread further than intended, reducing ilc.gov.au feed and the amount of carbon credit Read about Australia’s red units that can be earned that year. meat industry goal of being The ILC uses a combination of aerial carbon neutral by 2030: and on-ground burning practices and mla.com.au/CN30report Rangers at Fish River, NT 19