Grain Growers' Association policy executive Bryan Clark gave his insights about Copenhagen at the Third Annual Carbon Farming Conference & Expo 2009 in Orange NSW Australia - the only soil carbon farming conference of its type in the world. (4-5 November 2009)

1. Carbon farming after Copenhagen Bryan Clark, Industry Development Manager, [email_address]

6. Kyoto Protocol accounting rules for land‑based emissions are not comprehensive ; they cover a limited set of emissions sources and sinks. These sources are as follows: • Agriculture emissions (Annex A of the Kyoto Protocol) includes enteric fermentation (feed digestion) in livestock, manure management, rice cultivation, agricultural soils (for example, fertiliser use), prescribed burning of savannas, and field burning of agricultural residues • Emissions from land-use change and forestry (Article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol) which includes net emissions from forests established since 1990 on land that was clear of forest on 31 December 1989, and from deforestation (deliberate removal of forest and replacement with non-forest land use). Source: DCC Green Paper Where are we now?

7. Article 3.4 of the Kyoto protocol provides for additional activities that countries may elect to count towards their emissions target during the first commitment period. These elective activities are: forest management (plantation forests established before 1990 and all native forests under some form of management) revegetation (establishment of woody biomass that does not meet forest criteria) grazing land management (carbon stored in soil and vegetation on grazing land) cropland management (carbon stored in soil and crops). If a country chooses to include any of the additional activities, it must also include, and report on, all emissions from all land nationwide on which those activities are undertaken. Australia has elected not to include these activities because of the risk that drought or bushfire could result in significant emissions from these sources during the Kyoto commitment period. Source: DCC Green Paper Where are we now?

11. What are other counties doing re Ag? NZ 40% Included in cap and trade from 2013 – subject to review Canada Developing ag offset schemes in provinces EU 7% (UK) Ag not covered but recognised as needing to play a part while maintaining productivity. UK transition plan – voluntary actions to reduce ag emissions by 6% (review in 2012, R&D, technical support) USA 6% Ag not covered but able to provide offsets Brazil Reduced burning of sugar cane Incentives for sustainable ag practices Increase power co-generation from sugar cane bagasse Increase in ethanol consumption (from sugar cane) Reduced deforestation

13. CPRS Amendments Liberal / NP Greens Trade Exposed Industries a single level of assistance for emissions intensive trade exposed (EITE) industries at 94.5 per cent until 2015 and 90 per cent thereafter. Lower the threshold for assistance from the CPRS proposal of 1000 tonnes of CO2 per $1 million of revenue to 850 tonnes of CO2 per $1 million. Continue to provide assistance to Australian EITE industries at 90 per cent until 80 per cent of their international competitors have also implemented carbon abatement measures. Include primary food processing such as dairy and meat in the EITE scheme. Decreased reliance on road based transport and increased reliance on rail including freight. Restricted use of Fringe benefits tax concessions re cars and limits to the Fuel Tax credits scheme Ag permanently excluded but can provide offsets Unclear on ag specifically but looks to support an offsets system for terrestrial carbon Incentives for improved energy efficiency (household and industrial) Greater support for renewable energy