Smartcane Emissions Calculator FAQ

The Smartcane BMP Emissions Calculator calculates greenhouse gas emissions for a sugarcane enterprise, as well as the emissions intensity per tonne of sugar. Total greenhouse gas emissions are calculated and also broken down into the three types of emissions, called scopes, tracking both direct and upstream sources of emissions.

Scope 1 emissions occur directly from sources a business owns or controls, such as fuel used by farm machinery. Scope 2 emissions are indirect from the generation of electricity purchased by a business. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions (beyond electricity) that occur in the supply chain of a business, such as emissions from producing fertilisers.

Calculating and understanding farm greenhouse gas emissions will be important to

1. Ensure access to incentives or schemes requiring emissions data
   Increasingly, financial lenders are offering ‘green’ agricultural finance loans that incentivise and support investment in sustainable practices. These often require an understanding of baseline emissions to participate.

   Further, Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Schemes offer businesses the opportunity to earn carbon credits (ACCUs) for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that the business stores or avoids emitting. Participation in ACCU Schemes requires ongoing calculation of emissions. More information can be found at Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme | Clean Energy Regulator.

2. Maintain competitiveness
   It is likely that sugarcane production that is certified sustainable, including management of greenhouse gas emissions, will be preferred by domestic and international supply chains into the future.