Environmental Plantings: Outline of the CFI methodology

The positive list includes permanent planting activities, which are native or non-native plantings not for harvest (some exceptions exist) and not a landscape planting (e.g. urban centre, residence, school). The activity does not include commercial plantations such as orchard or fodder crops as these are considered common practice and not additional.



The approved and Kyoto compliant “Environmental Plantings” methodology applies to direct seeding or planting that has the potential to attain a crown cover of at least 20% and a height of at least 2 metres. This methodology uses a modeling approach (Reforestation Modelling Tool - RMT) to estimate carbon sequestration rather than a direct measurement approach[1]. The methodology does not allow for:

• Grazing by livestock in the first 3 years after planting or seeding.
• The land to have been cleared or partially cleared for less than 5 years
• Areas that would convert to forest without the project.
• Ripping and mounding which affects greater than 10% of the area for site preparation on pastures in areas receiving greater than 800mm average annual rainfall.
• Clearing of invasive native scrub species or woody biomass prior to planting or direct seeding unless the species are a weed species and removal is mandated by law.

 The methodology accounts for:

·         Increases in Carbon from tree growth

·         Reductions in Carbon from decay

·         Reductions in Carbon from disturbance (e.g. fire.)

·         Methane and Nitrous Oxide emissions from fire

·         Fuel use from project activities

The methodology does not account for:

·         Soil carbon

·         Fertiliser use

·         Fuel wood use

·        Nursery operations

·         Grazing when it is allowed after first 3 years

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[1] A direct measurement methodology called “reforestation and afforestation” has been drafted and was released for public comment on 4 April 2012

Acknowledgement: James Schultz, Greencollar Consulting Solutions