The draft Integrated Farm and Land Management (IFLM) consultation documents are now available for preview. The official consultation opens on January 27, 2026.
This draft represents a significant shift in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. It’s the first method that allows farmers to conduct multiple carbon-storing activities on the same piece of land.
Landholders can earn carbon credits through various management changes, such as:
- Restoring native forests that have been cut down or damaged.
- Planting new forests with native species or mallee trees.
The draft offers two methods to estimate carbon capture using the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM):
- A modeling-only approach.
- A hybrid method that combines modeling with on-site measurements.
This flexible design allows for the inclusion of more activities and technologies over time, benefiting land managers.
Once the consultation begins, it will run for 28 days. Insights gathered will shape the final method and influence the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC)‘s evaluation. The committee will assess whether the method meets the Offsets Integrity Standards (OIS).
When the ERAC is convinced that the method complies with these standards, they will recommend it to the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy. This consultation could be a pivotal moment for sustainable land management in Australia.
Recent statistics show that restoring native forests can sequester an average of 28 tons of CO2 per hectare annually, making these methods attractive for landholders looking to make a positive environmental impact. Experts emphasize that adopting such practices not only benefits the climate but can also improve biodiversity and soil health.
As public interest in sustainable farming grows, social media trends reveal a surge in discussions around carbon credits and their role in mitigating climate change. Farmers are increasingly seeking ways to engage with these programs, signaling a shift toward more environmentally conscious practices.
