The Australian Government has introduced a new landfill gas method that includes upward-sloping baselines.
This means projects will need to improve methane capture over time to keep earning the same level of carbon credits. It encourages ongoing investment in capturing methane to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Reducing Methane Emissions from Landfill Gas method incentivises projects to capture and destroy methane emitted from landfills as waste decomposes and implements Recommendation 10 of the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
Two rounds of public consultation informed the new method. First on an options paper in May 2024. Then on a draft method in May 2025 on behalf of the independent Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC).
The ERAC assessed the new method met the legislated Offsets Integrity Standards. Read the ERAC’s advice to the Government.
The new landfill gas method replaces the:
This will strengthen the integrity of landfill gas credits under the ACCU Scheme.