Ever since the creation of a carbon methodology for the savannas of northern Australia, land managers further south have wondered about a carbon story for the deserts. Now the 10 Deserts Project will rigorously test whether a corresponding methodology could be developed for Australia’s arid zone.
Mr Peter See, general manager 10 Deserts Project stated, “The 10 Deserts Project (the project) have engaged South Pole, in partnership with Natural Carbon and Brock Consulting, to conduct a feasibility study into the generation of carbon credits in Australia’s arid zone under the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund”.
“Australia’s arid zone includes areas that receive less than 600mm of rainfall annually – an area representing around one third of the country’s landmass”, he continued.
Commencing in June, the project aims to identify and scope the opportunity for carbon credit generation through traditional fire management practices such as cool season burns, similar to the savanna burning program in northern Australia. The project will then communicate this information to Indigenous land managers and owners, who will then decide whether or not to take up this opportunity.
South Pole is undertaking the first step in this process: evaluating whether a carbon project is scientifically, technically, economically and practically feasible, and then working with government, landholders and other stakeholders to see if they would be willing to prioritise further work on a method.
Tom Schroder, head of Climate Action at South Pole says: “As the world’s leading emissions reduction project developer, South Pole is excited to be part of this promising project. The feasibility study will run for six months. Early in the process, we are engaging with the Australian Government to consider constructive inputs and gauge potential concerns, so that these can be directly addressed in the feasibility study going forward.”
Julien Gastaldi, general manager at Natural Carbon is also positive on the project: “As a social enterprise, Natural Carbon is keen to unlock opportunities for agriculture and indigenous projects. We are already actively engaged in savanna projects in northern Queensland and have a thorough understanding of turning commercially good ideas into viable carbon methods.”
The final report on the outcome of the feasibility study will be delivered in December 2019. It will include a series of stakeholder consultations with involved land owners and stakeholders, as well as with various government agencies and departments.
Depending on the outcome of the feasibility study, the project will consider whether to proceed to developing a method, subject to the minister for energy and emissions reduction’s approval, or to investigate international standards and accreditation to allow carbon credits to be sold on the voluntary market. Following this, the 10 Deserts Project will be able to provide information on if and how people might want to do a carbon project, and potentially help people to access this opportunity.
For further information on the study contact Tom Schroder at South Pole (t.schroder@southpole.com).
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South Pole is a leading provider of global sustainability financing solutions and services, with more than 300 experts over 18 offices worldwide. For more than a decade, South Pole has worked with a wide range of public, private and civil sector organisations to accelerate the transition to a climate-smart society. South Pole has mobilised climate finance to over 700 projects in emission reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable land-use, acting today ‘for a better tomorrow’. South Pole’s expertise covers project and technology finance, data and advisory on sustainability risks and opportunities, as well as the development of environmental commodities such as carbon and renewable energy credits. For more information, visit southpole.com or follow the company @southpoleglobal
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About the 10 Deserts Project
The 10 Deserts Project is an Indigenous-led partnership for healthy country, healthy people and creating a strong Indigenous voice for the desert. The project is funded by the BHP Foundation until late 2022. Further information about the 10 Deserts Project can be found at www.tendeserts.org
Media contact:
Shelley Doyle, communications officer
M: 0477 222 117