Back

Government tool released: Major step forward for climate - but final method still needed

Corporate Carbon Group

Corporate Carbon Group (CCG), one of Australia’s largest and longest-operating Savanna Fire Management (SFM) project developers, welcomes the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)’s release of the Savanna Carbon Accounting Model (SavCAM) for user testing.

 

SavCAM is a critical development for the two new proposed SFM methods under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. Its release marks a significant step forward in modernising Australia’s approach to savanna land management and ensuring emissions abatement is calculated with greater scientific precision.

 

“We congratulate the Department on releasing SavCAM. It’s an essential tool that will help underpin the next generation of SFM projects,” said Gary Wyatt, Managing Director of Corporate Carbon Group. “This is a big win for the climate and a testament to the dedication of rangers, landholders and Traditional Owners across the north.”

 

The release of SavCAM comes a week after new national data highlighted the remarkable success of SFM projects to date. According to Figure 6.1.11 of the National Inventory Report 2023, emissions from Australia’s tropical savannas have fallen by 89% since 2016, largely due to the expansion of SFM projects.

 

 

For the decade leading up to 2005, savanna emissions averaged 30.6 Mt CO₂-e per year. Since 2016, this has dropped to just 3.4 Mt CO₂-e per year, a dramatic reduction driven by early dry season burning practices supported under the ACCU Scheme.

 

“This is one of Australia’s most successful nature-based climate tools,” said Wyatt. “Now that SavCAM is out, it’s critical the government moves with this momentum to finalise and release the updated SFM methods.”

 

While the release of SavCAM is a welcome step, previous delays to the final method have stalled further emissions reductions, creating uncertainty for landholders and shaking investor confidence in the ACCU Scheme’s ability to respond to scientific and implementation needs.

 

Corporate Carbon is encouraging all land and carbon sector stakeholders to engage with the tool during the user testing period and help ensure that momentum leads to action.

 

– ENDS –

 

Notes To Editors:

 

Media contact for Corporate Carbon Group: Claudia Bergen | [email protected] | 0477 658 404 

 

Available for interview:

Gary Wyatt, Managing Director of Corporate Carbon Group, is available for interview to discuss the contribution of SFM to the national accounts, and operational, investment, and policy impacts of an updated SFM methodology.

 

Background on DCCEW’s National Inventory Report 2023

The National Inventory Report details Australia's national greenhouse gas emissions from the financial year 1989-90 to 2022-23 and fulfils Australia's reporting obligations under the Paris Agreement. The inventory report finds that Australia's net greenhouse gas emissions were 453 Mt CO2-e in 2022-23. This is a decrease of around 26% from 2004-05 levels.

 

Background on SFM projects and the planned update to the method:

The ACCU scheme currently has 81 registered SFM projects across northern Australia. These projects span an area of 333,000 square km. The total project area consists of 67% Indigenous owned land, 16% conservation land and 17% pastoral land. On average, SFM projects currently receive 1.4 m ACCUs p.a.

 

According to DCCEEW, two new savanna fire management methods are being developed under the ACCU Scheme:

• An emissions avoidance method.

• An emissions avoidance and sequestration method.

 

The new methods build on existing practices by incorporating advances in science, including the crediting of abatement from living biomass and standing dead wood into sequestration calculations. The methods also recognise and incorporate the traditional fire management practices of First Nations people.

 

About Corporate Carbon Group: 

Founded in 2010, Corporate Carbon Group is one of Australia’s leading carbon abatement project developers and owners. Delivering more than 15 million Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the CER and commercial clients, Corporate Carbon has deep expertise in identifying new emissions reduction opportunities, establishing projects, managing delivery risks, and navigating complex policy and legislation. Corporate Carbon is a member of the Carbon Market Institute and an Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct Foundation signatory. For more information, please visit corporatecarbon.com.au.