Proposed Improved Avoided Clearing Method
DETSI is hosting a webinar on the proposed method at 11AM AEST on Tuesday 9 December.
Please email Natural.Capital@detsi.qld.gov.au to request a Teams invitation to attend.
The webinar will provide an overview of changes and next steps for the draft method. The session will be recorded and uploaded to this webpage for anyone who can’t attend.
What are we doing and why?
The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is leading the development of a new carbon farming method, improving on the expired avoided clearing method and including related reforestation activities, which is proposed to be included as a legislated method under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.
The proposed new method is designed to replace and improve the expired Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth carbon farming method, and is now named the Avoided Re-clearing and Native Reforestation (ARNR) method. The previous method had limited uptake, predominantly due to restrictive eligibility requirements. The proposed new method will focus on improving eligibility for landholders by taking a more practical approach to demonstrating risk of re-clearing and allowing complimentary reforestation activities to be delivered under a single project.
What guides method development?
The development of the method is in line with the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee’s decision in 2024 to shortlist this method and three other methods for priority development. More information about this process can be found at the website of the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Method Development Tracker - DCCEEW.
The new method must meet the Offset Integrity Standards as determined by ERAC before being recommended to the relevant Australian Government minister for approval. Development of the method will consider each of these standards and provide evidence in support of the integrity claims.
What is happening and when?
Activities that the Queensland Government will lead for the method development process are outlined below with proposed timeline for delivery:
Activity | Proposed Timeframes |
|---|---|
Second round of stakeholder engagement | December 2025 – February 2026 |
Consider feedback and amend draft method | February 2026 |
Submit draft method documentation to ERAC | March 2026 |
Upload final draft method to this webpage | March 2026 |
Following DETSI’s submission of draft method documents to ERAC, DCCEEW will prepare an exposure draft of the method. The ERAC Secretariat will lead public consultation on the exposure draft of the method, with support from DETSI. As the proponent led development of methods is a new process, the anticipated steps and timing outlined above may be subject to change.
How to engage with us:
Engagement on the proposed carbon farming method is welcome. Please contact natural.capital@detsi.qld.gov.au in the first instance.