Australian Regulator Comes Clean With Carbon Credit Data Release

Previously secret data has been released by the Clean Energy Regulator after questions were raised about the integrity of methods used to generate carbon credits.

The Carbon Estimation Area (CEA) data was issued on June 2, as recommended by a recent review of Australia’s carbon credit scheme and after a law change allowed the release.

“This is an important step towards a more informed market and increased trust and confidence in the draw down of carbon at scale within Australia’s path to net zero,” regulator David Parker said.

Carbon credits are supported by an assurance framework which ensures they represented real abatement, Parker said.

In addition, more than 60 farmers who partner with carbon farming company Climate Friendly voluntarily released data to prove the success of their projects.

Grazier Michael Marshman said he was concerned misinformation around carbon farming could undermine a critical national effort at a time when the threat of climate change demands urgent action.

Farmers are calling for a national data sharing platform and deeper data to avoid confusion about the impacts of carbon farming.

Climate Friendly co-CEO Skye Glenday said farmers deserved to have their projects accurately assessed with sophisticated tools, and validated with high precision drone and field data and decades of land management and livestock information.

The information released by farmers includes when forest regeneration began, key modelling parameters and the geospatial and land management data used to assess eligibility and monitor carbon drawdown.

A CEA is the area where carbon will be stored, and for which carbon credits are issued.

But previously available data raised questions about the performance of some projects.

The recent carbon credit review led by former chief scientist Ian Chubb found the overall carbon credit scheme was essentially sound but needed independent scrutiny and more transparency.