BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The potential of soil carbon sequestration (SCS) as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been globally recognised through the establishment of various policy initiatives. The success of these policies is largely dependent on the participation of farmers and landholders. In Australia, the government introduced policies such as the Emissions Reduction Fund, and the Carbon Farming Initiative in order to incentivize the adoption of SCS practices. Despite these legislative developments and their associated positive incentives, the widespread adoption of these practices has so far not been realised, suggesting that there are substantial barriers that prevent farmers and landholders from adopting SCS projects. This literature review will focus on assessing these barriers in Victoria, as the state has engaged the lowest percentage of SCS project proponents among all Australian states. The review will also address these impediments at the catchment scale by using the Goulburn Broken Catchment (GBC) as a case study. By reviewing policies, strategies, and legislation relevant to SCS in Victoria, five key components have been identified under which the barriers to adoption are associated. They include project requirements and liabilities, additional costs and economic risks, issues with carbon markets, lack of information and trust, and farmer perceptions and motivations. In addition to these barriers, within the GBC the misalignment of SCS with the catchment’s priorities, and lack of integration of actions have also been identified as important constraints. To mitigate these barriers the review concludes with a brief outline of the changes that are required in policy and government initiatives to stimulate the widespread uptake of SCS projects and allow these projects to play a significant role in meeting Australia’s emission reductions targets. Furthermore, research is also warranted on the perspectives of farmers and landholders within the land sectors of Victoria to better understand and mitigate these barriers to SCS project adoption.