Decision support framework and tool supporting Australian producers to make informed decisions about the relative benefits arising from their actions for production, natural capital, and/or natural ca

A large number of resources, tools and calculators exist to support producer decision making around entering carbon markets and other natural capital projects. However, information for informed decision-making about the on-farm benefits relative to those from entering markets and projects is largely fragmented and requires a large time commitment from producers to consolidate the available knowledge and weigh up options. The framework and online tool developed in this project will identify, then bring together existing global resources and research, and identify knowledge gaps around the benefits of managing natural capital and carbon on farm for multiple benefits. The framework and online tool will support changed practices by providing high quality educational and extension resources in an easy-to-use decision support package for Australian producers.
 
The online tool will be populated with key resources identified from a global literature review of the benefits of improving soil carbon, biodiversity and environmental stewardship in the farming system.  It will be applicable across commodities, supporting Australian producers to make confident and informed decisions regarding natural capital and carbon management in their farming system prior to exploring associated markets. To ensure optimal outcomes and impacts from the framework and tool, Australian producers from a variety of Agrifutures’ industry advisory panels covering levied and emerging industries will be engaged at an early stage through an interactive and integrative consultation phase to ensure effectiveness of use, relevance and validity, and to obtain critical information on the key drivers of the DOD framework.