FAQ's
- How do you test for the level of carbon in the soil?
- It must be done under a methodology that meets the approval of independent verifier. It is not a matter of taking a few samples with a shovel and a bucket! The methodology also requires the supervision of a qualified soil scientist trained to implement the protocols developed by Carbon Link and approved by the verifier. Special attention is placed on the number of samples taken so that they meet the requirements for valid statistical analysis.
Carbon content of submitted soil samples is analysed in accredited laboratories using sophisticated analytical methods.
The amount of carbon that is potentially available for sale is the difference between the vintage being measured and a previous measurement. In time these differences may be calculated by the use of modeling.
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- How do you know which farmers have built up the levels of carbon in their soil?
- To successfully sequester significant amounts of carbon on a consistent basis, farmers will need to have changed their land use management practices to using either a high intensity grazing system such as cell grazing or non destructive cropping practices such as pasture cropping. Traditional management methods such as continuous grazing and cultivation cropping can not sequester carbon. These new management methods such as cell grazing and pasture cropping can increase SOC because of their focus on root development, production and soil health.
Read more about general guidelines here
- How do I calculate the emissions I am responsible for in my personal life?
- All people in society contribute to the presence of CO2 in the atmosphere through our daily lives. You can calculate your approximate emissions using our carbon footprint calculators - carbon footprint calculator for your business or carbon footprint calculator for individuals.
You can also ‘offset’ your emissions by buying carbon from a farmer who is absorbing (sequestering) the carbon back into the soil.
Contact us to find out more - here
- What are my obligations as a farmer if I want to trade soil carbon?
- First of all, it needs to be established that additional carbon has been or will be built up in your soil. This is established through comparative soil testing and monitoring the ongoing management practices. There are general guidelines for farmers who wish to be involved in soil carbon trading.
For further information please contact us
- How can I buy soil carbon to offset my emissions?
- You can buy soil carbon to offset your emissions by calculating the level of emissions that you are responsible for (businesses or individuals) and then offsetting these emissions by paying a farmer for the carbon that he has sequested back into the soil.
Send us an e-mail to register your interest.
- What is the difference between soil carbon and tree carbon?
- Grasslands and forests both sequester carbon out of the atmosphere. However, there is one important difference. With trees much of the carbon is above ground in the trunk, branches and leaves while in grasslands most of the carbon is in the soil. Soils can absorb up to twice as much carbon as trees.
Importantly, soil carbon is sequestered when the land is being used productively in either a well managed grazing system such as cell grazing or farming system such as pasture cropping. The land is not 'locked up' from productive use during the sequestration process.
