Projects under the reducing methane emissions from landfill gas method 2025 (landfill gas method) can earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) by:
- destroying methane using a combustion device through flaring or electricity generation
- collecting methane and upgrading it into biomethane
- refining biogas into a natural gas substitute that’s combusted elsewhere.
When to use this method
The landfill gas method might be suitable if you:
- upgrade or install a new gas collection system to collect and combust landfill gas
- use a combustion device with a destruction efficiency of at least 98%
- convert landfill gas into biomethane and displace natural gas use
- displace natural gas with biomethane without involving conversion activities.
Legislation
Before you plan or register your project, make sure you read and understand the legislative requirements and the method.
Eligibility
All projects under this method must involve one or both of the following:
- collecting and treating landfill gas in a way that destroys methane
- upgrading landfill gas (alone or combined with biogas produced from other biogas waste) to biomethane, which is then combusted in Australia as substitute natural gas.
You must also meet general eligibility requirements for the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.
Relevant legislation
- Part 3 of the method
Exclusions
The method excludes destruction of:
- emissions from waste deposited in landfill between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2014 (carbon tax waste)
- methane generated from waste deposited after 1 July 2016 at a landfill that is designated as a safeguard facility and classified as a safeguard project.
Relevant legislation
- Part 4 of the method
- National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
Method requirements
A project involving biomethane capture or emission destruction must have only one landfill per project.
If you already have a project under the landfill gas generation method, you may change the project to the reducing methane emissions from landfill gas method 2025. Apply for method variation through Online Services.
Project activities are:
- collecting and combusting methane from decomposing biodegradable organic matter in the landfill
- converting methane to carbon dioxide
- using a combustion device
- producing biomethane.
Gas collection systems used to collect and combust landfill gas can include new gas wells, pipes, or pumps to increase gas collection volume.
The combustion device can be a flare, boiler, internal combustion engine or other device. It must have a destruction efficiency of at least 98%.
The combustion process must be monitored minute by minute. Operation of the combustion device must follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Relevant legislation
- Part 3 of the method
The method introduces project classifications based on biomethane, safeguard, origin and combustion status. These classifications are used to determine the default baseline factor and crediting period of a project.
Relevant legislation
- Part 3 of the method
The crediting period is generally 12 years but may be shortened or lengthened for existing projects, depending on the project classification. The crediting period must begin on the date the project is declared, or within 18 months of that date, as nominated by the project proponent. The simple method guide provides further details and will be made available soon.
Relevant legislation
- Part 5 of the Act
- Part 3 section 30 of the method
We are developing a landfill gas calculator to make calculating abatement easier. To be notified when this is available, subscribe to ACCU Scheme updates.
Abatement is calculated using the net abatement amount (the project abatement minus baseline abatement).
Project abatement is the amount of methane combusted from waste minus the amount of methane not collected during the project that has oxidised in the near-surface conditions of the landfill.
Baseline abatement is the amount of methane combusted from legacy and non-legacy waste during the project multiplied by the proportion of methane combusted in the absence of the project. The proportion of methane combusted in the absence of the project is the higher of the:
- regulatory proportion
- default baseline proportion.
Regulatory proportion
The regulatory proportion reflects the amount of methane combusted to meet regulatory requirements. It is determined by:
- using the relevant state or territory regulatory licence conditions
- asking your state or territory environmental regulator
- engaging an independent expert.
Default baseline proportion
The default proportion is based on the project’s origin and combustion status. The simple method guide provides further details and will be made available soon.
Relevant legislation
- Schedule 1 in the method
- Part 3 of the method
- Part 6 of the Act
- Part 6 of the Rule
You might need specialist skills to carry out a landfill gas project due to the complexity and calculations required. The following professions have the required specialist skills:
- registered professional engineer
- certified energy manager
- certified measurement and verification professional.
Relevant legislation
- Section 13(f) of the Rule
The landfill gas method has specific requirements for offset reports. You must also meet all general reporting requirements under the ACCU Scheme.
Projects can submit their first and later reports for a reporting period between one month to 2 years.
Relevant legislation
- Part 6 of the method
- Part 17 of the Act
The landfill gas method has specific monitoring requirements. The requirements, process and standards of monitoring are set out in Part 6 of the method.
Relevant legislation
- Part 6 of the method
- Part 17 of the Act
You must meet all the general record-keeping requirements of the ACCU Scheme.
We provide an audit schedule when your project is declared, which includes at least 3 scheduled audits. Extra audits can be triggered.
You must provide audit reports according to this schedule.
For more information on audit requirements, refer to our audit information.
Documents and resources
We are currently developing instructions for the landfill gas calculator. To be notified when these are available, subscribe for ACCU updates.
Explore all ACCU Scheme guidance using the guidance library.