Carbon Initiative Program

A man in a blue checkered shirt and cap examines a clump of soil in his hands while standing in a vineyard with dry, brown vines on a sunny day, highlighting agricultural research practices in Australia.

About the program

The Carbon Initiative Program is a $2 million investment across 15 projects to explore novel approaches to carbon storage, greenhouse gas emission reduction and emission avoidance, as well as methods to drive awareness, overcome barriers and develop market pathways for farmers, fishers and foresters.

Each of the 15 projects have been grouped into the below six themes:

  • Innovative and novel solutions (e.g. Technologies and practices) for storing carbon or reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, fisheries or forestry businesses
  • Evaluation of cooperative models under a carbon market as a method of increased engagement and uptake by producers, including exploring new or augmented approaches
  • Market development pathways for producers—from identifying policy and regulatory barriers, to exploring new models and corporate partnerships e.g. Evolving consumer and retailer expectations and corporate, social and governance (CSG) responsibilities
  • Novel approaches to identifying, developing and commercialising co-benefits from carbon farming for income diversification
  • Increasing producer engagement and alignment of activities across the agricultural value chain in relation to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Partnership opportunities for AgriFutures Australia to invest in existing projects and initiatives that directly impact agriculture, fisheries and forestry producers’ knowledge and/ or capacity to manage carbon in their business.

Research Findings

A person wearing waders stands in a shallow stream, measuring the water depth with a long ruler. Conducting research, they have a yellow device hanging from their shoulder and are surrounded by grass and vegetation.

Innovative solutions for storing carbon or reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

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A woman on her research trip in Australia smiles at the camera, standing in tall grass with trees and mountains behind her for the project "Carbon farming perceptions in Southern Queensland.

Cooperative models to encourage smaller producers to enter the carbon market

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Two people in a rural area, one in a yellow shirt and wide-brimmed hat, the other with long hair and sunglasses, review details about "Helping producers navigate the complexity of carbon markets" on a smartphone amid fields and hills.

Identifying barriers to carbon farming and finding solutions

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A woman kneels by a rural lake, smiling as she uses scientific equipment to collect water samples for the project "Measuring greenhouse gas emissions of on-farm irrigation dams," with plants and the water’s edge in the background.

Developing and decarbonisation co-benefits from carbon farming activities

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A group of ducks swim on a light brown pond in the foreground, with a row of tall eucalyptus trees—iconic to Australia—and green grass along the shore under a clear blue sky in the background.

Increasing involvement of the entire agricultural value chain in reducing GHG emissions

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Two men wearing caps and casual clothes kneel on a green rural field, examining soil together under a bright, partly cloudy sky as part of their research.

Partnership opportunities for AgriFutures Australia in existing projects.

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Latest news and events

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Australia’s primary producers have new guidance to navigate the shift in energy systems, with national research outlining both the challenges ahead and the practical pathways available.

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Applications open for 2026 Les Young Scholarship

Applications opened on Thursday, March 26, for the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program’s 2026 Les Young Scholarship; an opportunity for one young industry participant to travel to the United Kingdom and complete a tailored education program at The National Stud in Newmarket. The scholarship covers travel and accommodation costs for the recipient, who will partake in theory and practical coursework across all sectors of the Stud. They will complete a course in stud and bloodstock management, where the content will be tailored to the student’s experience and career goals.

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A man wearing a neon yellow safety vest and a blue cap stands inside an industrial facility, smiling at the camera. Machinery and equipment are visible in the background.
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