Adapting the Integrity Standards - Innovating Kyoto

The starting point for any methodology for carbon offsets is the Kyoto Protocols. These principles were developed primarily to govern the measurement and management of industrial sources and forestry sinks. In both cases the direction for the Carbon is one-way. Agricuture, on the other hand, is dominated by biological cycles which are embodied in the Carbon Cycle. Agricultural Biomass and Soil and the Animals that live on them are part of that Cycle – ie. are both sources and sinks. The Protocols, designed as they are on a linear plane, do not accommodate the dynamic nature of the food and fibre production processes. For the world to enjoy the benefits of “Climate Smart Agriculture’s” triple wins of mitigation, adaptation and food security, as identified by the World Bank, the Protocols must be adapted to achieve their objectives within a more complex environment. The Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency uses the current Kyoto definition of Standards such as Additionality as a starting point for innovation. The Consultation Paper makes this request: “Stakeholders are invited to comment on this approach to assessing additionality and whether alternative approaches should be considered.” Carbon Farmers of Australia has set out its response to the Integrity Standards under the following headings: Standard – current definition, Questions arising from current definition, Principles on which Standard should be redefined, Suggested Action Points.

The Department of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency uses the current Kyoto definition of Standards such as Additionality as a starting point for innovation. The Consultation Paper makes this request: “Stakeholders are invited to comment on this approach to assessing additionality and whether alternative approaches should be considered.”

Carbon Farmers of Australia has set out its response to the Integrity Standards under the following headings:

Standard – current definition

Questions arising from current definition

Recommendations

Principles on which Standard should be redefined

Suggested Action Points

This is an important opportunity which should not be missed. Please feel free to comment on, add to, strike out, disagree with… what we have proposed.