Under the Kyoto Protocol, allowable carbon sinks include afforestation and reforestation activities undertaken since 1990. This system, the Carbon Calculator is written to comply with the definition of a carbon credit as set out in the Kyoto Protocol. The Carbon Calculator has been provided as a tool to assist you in investigating the option of claiming carbon credits on your land. No promises are made or implied. The calculations are based on the best data available for Australian conditions.

The data used in the design of this calculator is generic in detail, so that it can suit most conditions. However, each site is different, with many factors effecting growth and site quality. Part of the accreditation process for claiming carbon credits on a site is careful examination of actual conditions and results of timber plantings on the land the credits will be claimed on.

At present, there is no overall national body in Australia that can issue carbon credits for afforestation and reforestation activities. In NSW the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme (GGAS) is current legislation and under this scheme NSW Greenhouse gas Abatement Certificates NGACs (identical to a carbon credit) can be issued to projects of this type. However, this scheme will be replaced by the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in the near future.