Soil carbon at scale
How three projects account for more than half the method’s ACCU issuance
Of the 946 active soil carbon projects registered with the Clean Energy Regulator, only 53 have been issued with carbon credits so far. The latest to join that group - Guilfoyle Carbon Project 7, in north western Victoria - was issued 382 ACCUs in June 2026.
While there is no doubt the role plants plays in taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and converting it into oxygen and carbon-rich biomass, proving it less straightforward. Rigorous testing, at depths of up to 1.2 metres, needs to show not just levels of carbon, but also its potential stability, in the face of flood, fire and deep tillage.
Another challenge for soil carbon projects earning ACCUs is that the methodology has evolved over the years:
The sequestering carbon in soils in grazing systems method (2014);
The measurement of soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems method (2018);
And the estimation of soil organic carbon sequestration using measurement and models method (2021).
The big three
As of July 20 2026, the Clean Energy Regulator has issued 439,348 ACCUs to carbon soil projects. However, just three projects, account for approximately 56% of this total, with a combined issuance of 245,978 carbon credits.
Bonnie Doone Soil Carbon Project
ID: ERF108333 View Project Information | View on Project Explorer
Located in the North Burnett region of Queensland, Bonnie Doone was awarded 94,666 ACCUs in late 2023, the largest allocation to date for a soil carbon project in Australia. Managed by proponents Grant and Carly Burnham, in partnership with CarbonLink, it sequestered an estimated 126,222 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over a five-year reporting period.
Originally registered in 2017, and covering 5,274 hectares, the proponents successfully negotiated updates to soil carbon methodology in 2018 and in 2021.
The 2021 measurement and modelling method, under which Bonnie Doone earned its credits, uses a combination of rigorous baseline soil testing and estimates based on changed land management practices. These altered practices, which include changing the duration and intensity of livestock grazing, aim to both promote vegetation cover and improve overall soil health.
The North Burnett region is known for organic beef farming and grazing operations set amongst native forests of eucalyptus and bottle trees. The area experiences a climate prone to periods of severe dry weather and drought, with soil profiles capable of significant long-term carbon storage when managed regeneratively.
Moora Plains Soil Carbon Project
ID: ERF105067 View Project Information | View on Project Explorer
Moora Plains made history in June 2023 when it became part of the first at-scale issuance of high-integrity soil carbon credits in Australia, earning 85,262 ACCUs. Registered in January 2017, this project is located near Gogango, in central Queensland, and covers an area of 3553 hectares.
The project proponents, Paringa Pasture Pty Ltd, as trustee for the Lawrie Family Trust, together with CarbonLink, transitioned their livestock from continuous grazing to intensive time-controlled grazing. The property was divided into more than 70 paddocks, which allowed for a doubling of stocking density.
Time-controlled grazing enables paddocks to be free of livestock for extended periods of time, during which they can recover deep-rooted vegetation. As well as sequestering carbon, increased vegetation reduces water run-off, in an area which experiences an annual average rainfall of 615mm.
When the Lawrie family took over the property it was reportedly in ecological decline, but through changed management practices and a commitment to regenerative agriculture, they have breathed new life into their land, as well as developing a separate income stream.
Turpentine Carbon Project
ID: ERF102074 View Project Information | View on Project Explorer
This project, in the Goondiwindi region of southern Queensland, was awarded 66,050 ACCUs in the 2022-23 tax year. Registered in October 2015, and covering an area of 3,844 hectres, it holds an active fixed delivery contract with the Commonwealth for 1,040,000 ACCUs.
The prime movers behind the Turpentine Carbon Project are Tom and Antoinette Archer, who are major advocates for regenerative agriculture. According to the Archers, the land was previously "severely overgrazed" with significant bare ground, prompting a shift toward practices to restore soil health.
The proponents, Archer Pastoral Pty Ltd, as the trustee for Archer Pastoral Trust, in partnership with Corporate Carbon, earned credits under the 2021 measurement and modelling method. Specific activities have included altering stocking rates, duration, and intensity of grazing, as well as rejuvenating pastures through seeding.
The 2021 method allows for both physical soil sampling and modelled estimates to calculate carbon abatement. This can reduce the high costs associated with measurement-only methods. Turpentine has transitioned through three different iterations of the soil carbon methodology (2014, 2018 and 2021).
The long road to success
Building up stable carbon deposits in agricultural soil has the potential to not only help in the fight against climate change, but also to provide landholders with a supplementary income stream from carbon credits. However, soil carbon projects face a number of challenges, from up-front investment, to significant changes to land management practices.
Any soil carbon project which earns ACCUs has demonstrated long-term commitment, adaptability and determination. Together Bonnie Doone, Moora Plains and Turpentine, have shown that soil projects can operate at scale and earn significant amounts of carbon credits. They may also provide inspiration for the nearly 900 active projects yet to earn ACCUs.
As always, we will continue tracking the underlying project data, register movements and policy developments shaping the Australian carbon market.
For more comprehensive market insights and analysis, please get in touch at info@carboneyes.io.
References
Carbon Eyes ACCU project register and project level analytics
Carbon Eyes market commentary on ACCU project activity and issuance trends
CER (Clean Energy Regulator)
Want to know more?
Check out our blog post Managing soil carbon projects on working farms.
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