Carbon credits and ACCUs are units that represent the equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2 -e) either removed from the atmosphere or prevented from being released into the atmosphere.
What is a Carbon Credit?
A carbon credit is a financial unit awarded when the equivalent of one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2 -e) is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the land or is prevented from being released into the atmosphere.
What is an ACCU?
An Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) is an Australian carbon credit issued by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) to registered carbon projects under the ACCU Scheme, previously the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), on completion of a successful project offsets report detailing the amount of avoided emissions or stored carbon.
Where do ACCUs come from?
ACCUs are generated through an increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) measured as a result of a dedication to change in management. To increase your SOC, you must build healthy soil to allow for carbon to be stored. ACCUs are calculated on a measured increase in your SOC levels when compared with your last sampling round. Where an increase in your carbon stock since your previous sampling round is identified, we will work with you to apply for ACCUs. Where there has been no validated increase in sequestration since the last sampling round, we will continue to monitor your project progress.
See: What do I need to build soil organic carbon?
See: How are increases in soil organic carbon measured?
What is the CER?
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is the government body that administers legislation to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of clean energy. The CER is responsible for key administrative tasks under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), including registering projects, running auctions, managing carbon abatement contracts, and issuing ACCUs.
What is the ACCU Scheme?
The ACCU Scheme, previously the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), is the Australian Government’s mechanism for purchasing carbon abatement. It does this by buying Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from carbon projects. Soil carbon projects are registered under a methodology called Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems. Agricultural operations can receive carbon credits using this method if they implement new activities to build soil carbon on their land and record measurable increases in soil organic carbon.
While there are many carbon credit schemes available, AgriProve soil carbon projects only deliver ACCUs generated under the measurement of soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems methodology. The ACCUs are government backed and have a guaranteed spot market and floor price (generated by the ERF auction process). Additional information can be found in the AgriProve factsheet on ACCUs and the carbon market or from the CER website.
Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) are issued by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) to registered Australian carbon projects upon completion of a successful project offsets report, where one ACCU is issued for the equivalent of each tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2 -e) removed from the atmosphere or prevented from being released into the atmosphere. ACCUs are generated through a measured increase in soil organic carbon (SOC).