Savanna fire management projects have restrictions on how project areas can be varied.
2015 savanna fire management projects
To vary the project areas of projects under the 2015 savanna fire management method, you can either:
- add an additional project area
- remove an entire project area.
2018 or 2026 savanna fire management projects
To vary the project areas under the 2018 or 2026 savanna fire management methods, you can only do the following:
- add an additional project area
- remove an entire subdivided project area
- remove an entire project area and replace it with subdivided project areas
- remove an entire project area from a project with more than one project area.
Subdividing a project area
Projects may apply to subdivide existing project areas. Subdivision means that a single project area is replaced with 2 or more separate subdivided project areas within the same project. Together, the subdivided project areas must cover an identical area of land to the project area that they replaced.
When to subdivide a project area
You can choose whether to subdivide a project area. You should carefully consider the requirements that apply independently to project areas under the relevant method. Subdivision may allow you to:
- transfer a subdivided project area to a different savanna method
- remove area from the project (by removing an entire subdivided project area)
- restructure projects by transferring a subdivided project area to another project under the same method
- report separately on subdivided project areas.
How subdivision affects the project
Subdividing a project area takes effect from the beginning of the current reporting period.
Once a project area has been subdivided, each subdivided project area must meet the method requirements independently. This means the project activity (planned burning) must be undertaken in each subdivided project area in each calendar year.
If the project area is subdivided and you elect to report separately on subdivided project areas, you will need to submit separate offsets reports and requests for Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for each project area.
Calculating abatement for projects with subdivided project areas
Once a project area has been subdivided, net abatement must be calculated separately for each subdivided project area and then summed across all project areas (unless the protect has elected to separately report on project areas).
Subdivided project areas will have their own uncertainty buffer, sequestration bank and carry-over amount (if applicable under the method). For the first calendar year that ends after a subdivision takes effect, you should follow the equations in the relevant method for adjustments resulting from subdivided project areas to determine the uncertainty buffer, sequestration bank and carry-over amounts for each of the subdivided project areas.
We are currently finalising a subdivision calculator to help you with these calculations and will have it available here in the next few weeks.
Relevant equations
- Equation 13, 18 and 19 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Savanna Fire Management—Sequestration and Emissions Avoidance) Methodology Determination 2018
- Equation 13 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Savanna Fire Management—Emissions Avoidance) Methodology Determination 2018
- Equation 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Savanna Fire Management—Sequestration and Emissions Avoidance) Methodology Determination 2018
- Equation 5 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Savanna Fire Management—Emissions Avoidance) Methodology Determination 2026