Co-benefits of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Project contributes to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
Carbon Neutral assists organisations to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions. Carbon Neutral is Australia’s leading biodiverse reforestation ‘carbon sink’ developer. To date, over 30 million mixed native species trees and shrubs have been planted in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. It is in the process of restoring 13,500 hectares of rural landscapes.
Good Health & Well-Being
Critical Climate Action
Quality Education
Economic Growth
AUDIT & MEASUREMENT
Carbon measurements and projections are independently verified by a qualified third party. This ensures that 1 carbon credit = 1 tonne carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-e). The Biodiverse Reforestation Carbon Offset planting sites will, conservatively, sequester 120-180 tonnes of CO2-e per hectare over 50 years. To project how much CO2 the trees will sequester (both above and below ground) at a given location over 50 years, scientifically developed allometrics have been applied. This methodology is in line with Gold Standard Foundations’ Land Use and Forests (LUF) framework. The Biodiverse Reforestation Carbon Offset projects are not registered under a formal certification framework.
CARBON CREDIT REGISTRY
Unique serial numbers for Biodiverse Reforestation Carbon Offsets are issued to each buyer. All carbon credits sold are cancelled on an internal register to ensure there is no double-counting or double selling. Our internal register is independently audited at least every five years.
LAND TENURE AND ‘PERMANENCE’
All projects in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor have a Carbon Right and Carbon Covenant registered on the land title. The Carbon Covenant details land and tree management obligations. For example, trees may not be cut down for 50 or 100 years. The carbon stored for the Biodiverse Reforestation Carbon Offset projects is ‘locked up’ for a period of 50 or 100 years as detailed in the Carbon Right and Carbon Covenant. Sequestration is regarded as permanent if it is maintained on a net basis for 100 years.
Livestock are excluded from planting sites for three years after planting, and thereafter only lightly grazed to avoid damage to trees and shrubs and allow natural generation in the inter-rows. This is as per the Carbon Covenant.
MITIGATING FIRE RISK
Fire control measures include fire breaks, geographic separation of planting sites, insurance and light grazing of sheep to reduce fuel load. Native tree plantings are self-regenerating. If a fire or other disturbance occurs, causing a decline in the amount of carbon stored, re-growth will be managed to allow the carbon stock to return to previously reported values.
MONITORING & REPORTING
Each planting site is independently monitored and reported for health, survival and carbon pools at least twice in the first 5 years. Planting Reports and Monitoring Reports are available on the Carbon Neutral website.
