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Murray Basin NRM Carbon Report


This report explores the economic modelling of carbon farming projects and compares spatial patterns of carbon potential across the Murray-Darling Basin for both current and future climate. Its finds thatc

  • Profitability for Carbon farming projects is dependent on the carbon market and the relative suitability of land for other more profitable farming practises.
  • Establishment costs of $1000/ha and a discount rate of 10% would allow profits in the Murray Basin NRM Cluster, given a $20/t CO2-e carbon price.
  • If establishment costs were $3000/ha and the discount rate was 10%, carbon farming profitability would be challenging in the Murray Basin.
  • Highest carbon sequestration potential is in the southern and eastern sides of the Murray Basin and the lowest is in the northern and western regions.
  • The main driver for spatial patterns of carbon sequestration is the average rainfall pattern.
  • DELWP forest growth model results show that carbon sequestration rates could increase in a warmer climate. 
  • There are risks to carbon farming related to the likely increased frequency of hot extremes.
  • A planning checklist for carbon farming has been included in this report to help farmers in their risk assessments.

Categorization

Metadata

Detailed Descriptions
Report
050205 - Environmental Management, 050301 - Carbon Sequestration Science, 050202 - Conservation and Biodiversity
Geographic and Temporal Extents
South East, Lower Murray Darling, Western, South East (NSW), Mallee, Central West, North East, ACT, Goulburn Broken, Wimmera, Lachlan, Central Tablelands, Murray, South Australian Murray Darling Basin, Murrumbidgee, North Central
Start Start text End End text
Attributions and Constraints
2015 CSIRO advises that the information contained in this publication comprises general statements based on scientific research. The reader is advised and needs to be aware that such information may be incomplete or unable to be used in any specific situation. No reliance or actions must therefore be made on that information without seeking prior expert professional, scientific and technical advice. To the extent permitted by law, CSIRO (including its employees and consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this publication (in part or in whole) and any information or material contained in it.
CSIRO
ML Cox, P Polglase, L Broadhurst, G Forbes, D Adams, C Showers, J Ha, V Doerr, A Reeson, CS. Hawkins, KI Paul, J Turner, DF Crawford, T Jovanovic, TJ Hobbs, K Opie, J Carwardine, A Almeida
CSIRO and DELWP 2015, Identifying Prospective Areas for Carbon Farming, Impacts & Adaptation Information for Australia’s NRM Regions: Murray Basin Cluster, CSIRO and DELWP, Australia.
Linda Broadhurst CSIRO Canberra linda.broadhurst@csiro.au
2016