CFI PASSES SENATE - ONWARDS!

Hi,

Below is an email from Minister Combet's Senior Adviser giving us the good news that the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011 passed the last hurdle last night. This is a special day.

We started this campaign 6 years ago with a statement: the Soil Carbon Manifesto. We have never lost faith. And now we are on the threshold: a methodology for soil carbon is finalised for submission to start the process of building a platform for rapid, widespread change in land management - generating new income for farmers, new opportunities for consultants and training organisations, new resources for NRM agencies, new demand for suppliers of carbon farming products and processes, new budgets for scientists. Now is the time to learn how to turn this opportunity to restore our soils and waterways into reality - the theme of the Carbon Farming Conference this year is "preparing to trade"... with insights from senior departmental decision-makers, carbon market experts, and experienced environmental entrepreneurs. It's a whole new set of skills to learn... We need a show of strength to put pressure on the processes that will help our methodology succeed. Please register now. And if you worry about politics, remember both Government and Opposition support soil carbon sequestration. Onwards!

Cheers!

Michael Kiely

The Soil Carbon Manifesto

Carbon Coalition is a group of concerned Australians who believe the globe is facing a crisis of CO2 overload leading to Global Warming and that one of the most effective strategies for locking up carbon in our atmosphere is to be found in fostering deep-rooted plant species on land used for agriculture. Capturing more carbon in agricultural soils will mean water is used where it falls, leading to cleaner waterways and less silting. We urge governments and the business community to acknowledge the role that agricultural soils can play in addressing the Global Warming crisis. Farmers can play a central role in sequestering carbon in their soils by fostering deep-rooted perennial plant species that have significant biomass in their root systems. Soil biomass is a natural carbon sink and should be used to create carbon credits which can be traded alongside those currently traded for forests.

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Nicholas, Peter"

Date: 22 August 2011 6:53:45 PM AEST

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Subject: CFI through the Senate [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Hi all,

Just letting you know the CFI passed the Senate tonight despite the opposition from the Coalition and their attempts to delay the debate for as long as possible.

It needs to go back to the House to have a few minor amendments agreed to, but that should be a formality sometime this week.

Peter

Peter Nicholas

Senior Adviser

The Hon Greg Combet AM MP

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Federal Member for Charlton

Parliament House