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FullCAM Guidelines

Requirements for use of the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) with

the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) methodology determination:

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Avoided Clearing of Native

Regrowth) Methodology Determination 2015

Version X.0

(draft, not in force)

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Disclaimer

This document has been developed to assist project proponents to calculate abatement in FullCAM as required

by the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth) Methodology

Determination 2015. This document is the ‘FullCAM Guidelines’ incorporated by reference in sections 5, 34 and

47 of the Methodology Determination. Project proponents should not use this document as a substitute for

complying with the requirements in the Methodology Determination.

Before relying on any material contained in this document, project proponents should familiarise themselves

with the following legal documents: Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Avoided Clearing of Native

Regrowth) Methodology Determination 2015, Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, Carbon

Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015 and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Regulations

2011.

This document does not displace relevant legislative provisions or other laws. All users are encouraged to read

this document in conjunction with the relevant legislation, including the Methodology Determinations,

referenced throughout this document. Where any inconsistencies are apparent, please be aware that the

legislative provisions will take precedence.

Interested parties should make their own independent inquires and obtain their own independent

professional advice prior to relying on, or making any decisions in relation to, the information provided in this

document.

This document will be updated periodically and users should note that some inputs and values may change

over time. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that they are using the version of this document and

following the relevant section (either Section 3 or Section 4) of this document and any tool/s required in

association as in force at the end of the relevant reporting period (consistent with section 45 of the

Methodology Determination).

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the Commonwealth of Australia accept no

responsibility or liability for any damage, loss or expense incurred as a result of the reliance on information

contained in this document. This document does not indicate commitment by the Commonwealth to a

particular course of action.

© Commonwealth of Australia

Unless otherwise noted, copyright (and any other intellectual property rights, if any) in this publication is owned by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Creative Commons licence Attribution CC BY

All material in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence, save for content supplied by third parties, logos, any material protected by trademark or otherwise noted in this publication, and the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. These are all forms of property which the Commonwealth cannot or usually would not licence others to use.

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence is a standard form licence agreement that allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this publication provided you attribute the work. A summary of the licence terms is available from http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/. The full licence terms are available from http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode.

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Content contained herein should be attributed as “The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

Fullcam Guidelines: Requirements for using the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) in the Emissions

Reduction Fund (ERF) methodology determination Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Avoided

Clearing of Native Regrowth) Methodology Determination 2015”.

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Contents

Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 4

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 6

Use with the Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth Methodology Determination 2015 ....... 6

Determining which FullCAM option to use (2016 or 2020) .................................................... 6

Format of this document ........................................................................................................ 7

FullCAM background ............................................................................................................... 7

FullCAM plots and running simulations .................................................................................. 8

Overview of the FullCAM interface ......................................................................................... 8

2. Simulations Overview ................................................................................................................... 11

Baseline scenario simulation ................................................................................................ 11

Project scenario simulation................................................................................................... 11

3. 2020 FullCAM option - setting up simulations for the baseline and project scenarios ................ 12

Creating a new plot from template ...................................................................................... 12

The Events Tab ...................................................................................................................... 15

3.2.1 Events types and modelling notes ................................................................................ 15

3.2.2 Adding the baseline scenario events as a group using the Regime function ............... 17

3.2.3 Adding project scenario events individually ................................................................. 20

The Output Windows Tab ..................................................................................................... 23

Running simulations .............................................................................................................. 24

Viewing outputs .................................................................................................................... 25

Transferring outputs into spreadsheet ................................................................................. 25

4. 2016 FullCAM option - setting up simulations for each CEA in the baseline and project scenario

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Opening a file ........................................................................................................................ 26

The About Tab ....................................................................................................................... 26

Saving a Plot File ................................................................................................................... 27

The Configuration Tab ........................................................................................................... 28

The Timing Tab ...................................................................................................................... 29

The Data Builder Tab ............................................................................................................. 30

The Site tab ........................................................................................................................... 32

The Trees tab ........................................................................................................................ 32

The Soil tab ............................................................................................................................ 32

The Initial Conditions tab ...................................................................................................... 33

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The Events Tab ...................................................................................................................... 35

4.11.1 Permitted Events ........................................................................................................... 35

4.11.2 Adding a New Event ...................................................................................................... 37

4.11.3 Cloning Events ............................................................................................................... 42

The Output Windows Tab ..................................................................................................... 47

Running simulations .............................................................................................................. 51

Viewing outputs .................................................................................................................... 51

Transferring outputs into a spread sheet ............................................................................. 51

5. FullCAM Simulations and Offsets Reporting ................................................................................. 51

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1. Introduction

Use with the Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth Methodology

Determination 2015 The calculation of carbon abatement under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Avoided

Clearing of Native Regrowth) Methodology Determination 2015 (the Determination) is dependent

upon the use of the Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) consistently with the requirements of

this document. In particular, section 34 of the Determination requires that the baseline and project

scenario for each carbon estimation area (CEA) must be modelled in FullCAM in accordance with the

requirements in both the Determination and this document. Subsection 47(1) of the Determination

also requires key output data to be produced using FullCAM in accordance with the requirements in

the Determination and this document. Where content of this document relates to provisions of the

Determination, references are given to the location of those provisions.

Project proponents must only change FullCAM default settings as indicated in this document, and all

other settings must not be changed. This is to ensure that defaults will apply where relevant.

Determining which FullCAM option to use (2016 or 2020) The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources released an update to the Full Carbon

Accounting Model (FullCAM) for public use in 2020.

The latest publicly available version of FullCAM on the Department’s website is the 2020 Public

Release version of FullCAM and it has two options [new website link to be added].

1. 2020 Public Release of FullCAM, 2020 FullCAM option

This option is the default option, it incorporates updated vegetation growth calibrations and

climate data, and has new interface features making it easier to use.

2. 2020 Public Release of FullCAM, 2016 FullCAM option

This option is only available for use by some projects, as described below. It does not include

the 2020 updates to the calibrations, climate data or interface.

Project proponents must access the latest public release of FullCAM from the Department’s website

and then ensure they are using the appropriate FullCAM option for their project. An exception to

this is for projects with reporting periods that end before 1 September 2020, which will need to use

the previous public release of FullCAM and the associated Guidelines for those periods. If you

determine that you must use a public release of FullCAM that is unavailable on the website, please

contact the Department at erfforests@industry.gov.au to obtain a copy.

The general effect of the requirements below is that the 2020 FullCAM option is the default, but pre-

existing projects can choose the 2016 FullCAM option as long as they are not expanded, don’t move

to a new or varied determination and don’t move onto the 2020 FullCAM option for a reporting

period.

Whichever FullCAM option is used by the proponent, all CEAs of a given project must be

reported on using a single FullCAM option.

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Projects with section 22 declaration applications under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming

Initiative) Act 2011 (CFI Act), submitted to the Clean Energy Regulator (the Regulator) on or

after 1 September 2020, must use the 2020 FullCAM option.

Projects with section 22 declaration applications submitted to the Regulator before 1

September 2020 are able to use either the 2020 FullCAM option or the 2016 FullCAM option.

These projects are able to move from the 2016 FullCAM option to the 2020 FullCAM option

if they choose to do so. If a choice to use the FullCAM 2020 option is made, the entire

project must be moved to FullCAM 2020 and once using 2020 FullCAM option in an offsets

report, these projects cannot return to using the 2016 FullCAM option.

If project proponents of projects with section 22 declaration applications submitted to the

Regulator before 1 September 2020 add a new project area or areas to the project under the

section 29 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 with effect on or after

1 September 2020, the entire project must use the 2020 FullCAM option. The only exception

to this is where all of the areas added to the project were already using the 2016 FullCAM

option under these guidelines as part of another eligible offsets project (these can continue

to use the 2016 FullCAM option consistent with the dot point above – therefore the original

project must also have been eligible to use the 2016 FullCAM option).

Projects that transfer from an earlier to a later version of this Determination or transfer to

this Determination from another Determination, with the application under section 128 of

the CFI Act submitted on or after 1 September 2020, must use the 2020 FullCAM option.

Note that FullCAM is not compatible with iOS systems, and must be run in a Windows operating

environment.

Format of this document This document provides:

an overview of the FullCAM relevant to the Determination, its features relevant to users and

important requirements for using this document (section 1)

an overview of the baseline scenario you must run in FullCAM as per the Determination

(section 2)

two step-by-step walkthroughs of how you must use FullCAM to run simulations for baselines

and project reporting (section 3 and section 4):

Section 3 of this document is for projects using 2020 FullCAM option.

Section 4 of this document is for projects using 2016 FullCAM option.

an overview of the FullCAM outputs as they relate to equations within the Determination

(section 5).

The 2020 FullCAM option requires fewer data entries than the 2016 FullCAM option because many

items have been automated in the 2020 FullCAM options through the use of templates.

FullCAM background FullCAM is used in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Accounts for the land sector. FullCAM provides

fully integrated estimates of carbon pools in forest and agricultural systems for Australia’s land sector

reporting. In addition, it accounts for human-induced changes in emission and sequestration of major

greenhouse gases. FullCAM was developed under the National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS) at

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the then Australian Greenhouse Office to provide a dynamic account of the changing stocks of carbon

in Australia’s land systems since 1970 by integrating data on land cover change, land use and

management, climate, plant productivity, and soil carbon over time. FullCAM estimates carbon stock

change and greenhouse gas emissions at fine spatial and temporal scales, and uses a wide range of

spatially referenced data.

Users of FullCAM can determine estimates of carbon stock change and greenhouse gas emissions for

ERF projects on a similar basis to that used for land use and land use change in Australia’s National

Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

FullCAM plots and running simulations FullCAM can run simulations on a ‘plot’. A plot, for modelling purposes, is defined as a piece of land

for which the event history, when modelled in FullCAM, is the same across that area of land. Separate

plot files must be created for each CEA (see section 20 of the Determination).

In the 2016 FullCAM option, there are several types of plots that can be selected. Only ‘forest system’

is relevant to this Determination. This selection does not need to be made in the 2020 FullCAM option

because it has been automated through the creation of default templates. At the point in the 2016

FullCAM option where users choose to create a new plot file, they instead select an appropriate

template from a drop-down list and 2020 FullCAM option then populates FullCAM with the template

plot.

FullCAM models using a single ‘model point’ location. Proponents do not need to define plot

boundaries within FullCAM, rather proponents must input the coordinates for a single location (the

model point – see subsection 20(4) and section 20(5) of the Determination). The FullCAM model uses

the model point to derive average values of the climate and biophysical variables for the immediate

surrounding area.

In order to ensure all settings are correct, including defaults, we recommend creating new plot files

each time a new version of FullCAM or these Guidelines, or a different FullCAM option, is used. Plot

files created under previous versions or options may contain different settings that will affect outputs

and users are responsible for ensuring they have used the correct FullCAM version and option, and

accurately followed the associated FullCAM Guidelines.

For each CEA, separate plot files must be created for:

estimating carbon stocks under the baseline scenario; and

estimating carbon stocks for the current reporting period.

The latest spatial data for a plot must be downloaded using the ‘Data Builder’ tab each time the

software is run.

Overview of the FullCAM interface The FullCAM software user interface displays menus and a series of tabs. Each tab has a suite of

fields in which information may either be required to complete as instructed through these

Guidelines or left unchanged. The program is designed so that certain tabs in a plot file are made

available only if required fields have valid information entered in earlier tabs. If the text of a tab or

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field is red, then FullCAM requires information in that tab or field before a simulation can be run.

When all the required fields within a tab have valid information entered, the tab text will become

blue.

The below table provides a general overview of each tab selectable within FullCAM once a plot has

been created. Help is also provided within FullCAM by clicking on the symbol available in most

windows.

Please note, some of the tabs described in the table below will only need data added in the

2016 FullCAM option since many of the entries are automated through the template in the

2020 FullCAM option. Data entry requirements under each option are described in detail in section 3

and section 4 of these Guidelines

Tab Explanation

About Includes a free text field where users can enter information about the plot file that they have created. This is a good space to keep track of changes that have been made or editing of event parameters.

Configuration Users select the system (e.g. forest, agricultural) they want to simulate in the plot.

Timing Enter the timing for starting and ending the simulation and the time steps required for output data.

Data Builder In this tab users enter the latitude and longitude of the ‘Model Point Location’ where they wish to simulate a plot file. Internet access is required to complete this tab. By choosing to ‘Download Spatial Data’ the associated soil and climate data for that latitude and longitude are automatically loaded into relevant parts of the remaining tabs. In the tab users can then download tree and/or crop species information and management regimes as appropriate. This information is also automatically loaded into relevant parts of the remaining tabs.

Site Specific parameters (e.g. water [rainfall], temperature, productivity) are described.

Trees Description of the properties of the tree species.

Crops Description of the properties of crop or pasture species (only displays if agricultural system selected).

Soil Description of soil properties.

Initial Conditions

In this tab the values for carbon at the start of the simulation are described. Values will automatically be populated by Data Builder using data downloaded from the FullCAM server.

Events All of the events for the entire simulation period are listed in this tab. Users can add or remove events. Care must be taken not to violate requirements for modelling ‘management events’ within the Determination. The names on the event list are colour-coded to indicate whether they are ready, whether they are simulating or not, and what system they affect. The colour codes are: Red: Event not ready (renders event queue not ready); Grey: Event non-simulating (outside simulation period, will not affect simulation); Green: Forest; Yellow: Agricultural; and Brown: Mixed. Finally, the events users select with the cursor are coloured in the usual highlight colour.

Output Window

Defines what outputs are presented in output windows.

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Explorer Display of the parameter settings for each tab.

Plot Digest This tab only appears when a plot is saved as a ‘plot digest’ by changing the save as type. It allows users to clone and alter the inputs of a given modelling scenario, and combine the results or output them separately.

Log This tab records changes made to the file to assist with analysis and error tracking.

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2. Simulations Overview

This section provides a brief overview of the two simulations that project proponents must simulate

in FullCAM consistent with the Determination – the baseline scenario and the project scenario. The

credible carbon abatement for the project is calculated under Division 4 of the Determination by

subtracting the baseline scenario carbon abatement from the project scenario carbon abatement.

Section 34 of the Determination requires that the baseline and project scenario for each CEA must

be modelled in FullCAM in accordance with the requirements in both the Determination and this

document.

This section directs users to the relevant part of the Determination that users should first familiarise

themselves with before progressing to simulating these scenarios as per the steps in section 3 or

section 4.

Baseline scenario simulation For each CEA, the baseline scenario consists of a series of projected regrowth, clearing, and windrow

and burn events reoccurring over the 100 year modelling period. Requirements for modelling the

Baseline scenario are set out in Division 2 of the Determination, particularly at sections 35-37.

Projected events must be modelled consistent with the timing requirements of section 35 of the

Determination, and the start and end dates of the modelling period must be as set out at section 37.

The first event in the baseline scenario will be the most recent actual regeneration event within the

CEA (see section 26 of the Determination).

These events can be added to the baseline scenario together by following section 3 or section 4

below.

Project scenario simulation The project scenario simulates the actual management and disturbance events that have occurred

within each CEA. The simulation period begins the day before the regeneration event referred to in

section 26 of the Determination and runs over the 100 year modelling period (see section 37 of the

Determination). Specific requirements for modelling thinning, fire and other natural disturbance

events are set out at sections 39, 40 and 41 of the Determination respectively.

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3. 2020 FullCAM option - setting up simulations for the baseline and

project scenarios

The general effect of requirements described in section 1.2 is that the 2020 FullCAM option is the default, but projects with section 22 declaration applications submitted before 1 September 2020 can choose the 2016 FullCAM option as long as they are not expanded, don’t move to a new or varied determination and have not reported used the 2020 FullCAM option for a reporting period (see section 1.2).

Simulations for each CEA are undertaken using plots. Project proponents must use the following steps for creating FullCAM plots and inputting values for each CEA registered under the Determination.

All steps must be followed when creating new plot files and inputting values.

Once a plot file has been setup for a CEA and scenario, it can re-opened for modelling at a later date. When reopening plot files, users must first navigate to the ‘Data Builder’ tab and click ‘Download Spatial Data’, before running the simulation, to ensure the latest spatial data is used for the simulation.

Creating a new plot from template 1. With FullCAM open, select ‘File’ then ‘New from Template…’, a new window will appear titled

‘Templates’.

2. Select, under the ‘ERF’ expandable folder, the ‘HIR NFMR and Avoided Clearing Methods’ option

corresponding to the long-term average annual rainfall for the applicable model point location.

The long-term average annual rainfall is determined using the Long Term Average [annual]

Rainfall Map Layer, also known as the CFI rainfall map, previously available from the CFI

Mapping tool.

The long term average annual rainfall map layer shows the long-term average annual

rainfall (mm) across continental Australia, calculated for the period 1920-2010. The long-term

average annual rainfall map layer (also labelled CFI Mapping tool - Rainfall map) can be accessed

for viewing or downloading from data.gov.au under Emissions Reduction Fund Environmental

Data (https://data.gov.au/dataset/ds-dga-b46c29a4-cc80-4bde-b538-

51013dea4dcb/details?q=emission reduction fund).

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Steps to view the long-term average annual rainfall data on data.gov using the Australian

Government’s National Map:

i. Go to (https://nationalmap.gov.au/) and select the up arrow located immediately to the

right of the “Explore Data” button.

ii. Select “Add Web Data” and paste the following URL:

https://data.gov.au/geoserver/emissions-reduction-fund-environmental-data/wms (which

is located in data.gov.au under the ERF Environmental data – Preview dataset WMS) and

click “Add”.

iii. Click the “ ” sign next to Long term average annual rainfall. The long term average annual

rainfall map layer will be displayed.

iv. To check the rainfall amount of the model point location, enter the latitude and longitude

in the search bar (located in the top left hand corner). The search result will be displayed

below.

v. Click the latitude and longitude under the ‘Locations’ tab to display the location in the map.

vi. Click the location marker on the map, this will show the feature information tab on the

right hand corner.

vii. In the ‘Feature information tab’ click on the ‘Long-term average annual rainfall – Site Data’.

This will display the long term average annual rainfall in mm. This information can be also

downloaded by clicking the Download this Table tab.

3. Enter the latitude and longitude (in decimal degrees i.e. xx.xxx xx, xx.xxx xx) of the model point

location in the latitude and longitude box. This should be within the boundaries of the CEA and

the approximate centre of the CEA (as per section 21(4) and section 21(5) of the Determination).

Note that FullCAM may appear to round off the decimal degrees entered after clicking out of the

boxes, but users must enter the full five decimal places as these will be still recorded within the

plot file itself and be visible on the Data Builder tab.

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4. Enter the modelling start and end dates for the simulation that you will run, in the start date and

end date text fields. Acceptable formats include ‘DD MONTH YYYY’ or ‘D M YYYY’ (e.g. ‘1 July

2014’ or ‘1 7 2014’). These should correspond to those required for either the project or baseline

scenario (see section 2 above and section 37 of the Determination.

5. Click ‘OK’, a new plot file will be created with the applicable default data for the Determination,

as well as the location and dates entered.

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6. The new plot file can then be saved by clicking ‘file’, then ‘save’.

7. The new plot file is now ready for adding events at the events tab.

The Events Tab The events tab is where users must create the events that must be modelled under either the

baseline or project scenarios.

3.2.1 Events types and modelling notes

The baseline scenario has three events that must be modelled:

Regeneration

Clearing

Windrow and burn fire

See section 3.2.2 below, for details of how events are added in the baseline scenario.

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The project scenario has five types of events that must be modelled when they occur:

Regeneration

Wildfire – trees not killed

Wildfire – trees killed

Thinning

Non-fire disturbances

See section 3.2.3 below, for details of how events are added in the project scenario.

Regeneration

Project scenario

The first regeneration event is modelled in accordance with section 38 of the Determination. In

accordance with section 42 of the Determination, project proponents can add a regeneration event

following a natural disturbance that kills all the trees in a CEA. The modelling date of this event is

determined in accordance with section 42 of the Determination.

Baseline scenario

The first regeneration event is modelled in accordance with section 35 of the Determination. Other

projected regeneration events occur at intervals determined in accordance with section 36 of the

Determination.

The date of the first baseline clearing event is determined in accordance with section 27 of the

Determination. Other projected clearing events occur at intervals determined in accordance with

section 36 of the Determination. A clearing event must be modelled to occur in each year a

projected clearing event occurs, on 1 January of that year.

Clearing

Baseline scenario

The date of the first baseline clearing event is determined in accordance with section 27 of the

Determination. Other projected clearing events occur at intervals determined in accordance with

section 36 of the Determination. A clearing event must be modelled to occur in each year a

projected clearing event occurs, on 1 January of that year.

Windrow and burn

Baseline scenario

Windrow and burn events must be added to the baseline scenario in accordance with section 36 of

the Determination. Windrow and burns are modelled to occur one year after each projected clearing

event on 1 January.

Thinning

Project scenario

Thinning events are used to model thinning for ecological purposes. Ecological thinning events must

be added for each separate event that occurs in a CEA during the modelling period in accordance

with section 39 of the Determination.

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Wildfire – trees not killed

Project scenario

Events must be added in accordance with section 40 of the Determination for each fire in which

trees are not killed that occurs in a CEA during the modelling period. For each modelled Wildfire –

trees not killed event, the modelled date is that determined in accordance with section 40 of the

Determination.

Wildfire – trees killed

Project scenario

Events must be added in accordance with section 40 of the Determination for each fire in which

trees are killed that occurs in a CEA during the modelling period. For each modelled Wildfire – trees

killed event, the modelled date is that determined in accordance with section 40 of the

Determination.

Non-fire disturbances

Project scenario

Non-fire disturbance events must be added to the project scenario in accordance with section 41 of

the Determination.

3.2.2 Adding the baseline scenario events as a group using the Regime

function The following steps use the new regime function on the events tab to add all the events that must

be modelled under the baseline scenario in accordance with sections 35-37 of the Determination.

1. Click ‘New’ on the ‘Regime Editing’ panel on the Event tab. A

2. From the drop-down list next to ‘Regime’ select ‘Avoided Clearing Baseline w. Windrow Burn’.

This may be listed with Native Species Regeneration and the chosen annual rainfall category in

brackets.

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3. By default the start and end dates should cover the start and end date of the simulation period.

If not, amend these dates so they correspond to the start and end dates of the simulation

period, as determined in accordance with section 37 of the Determination, entering the dates in

calendar format, e.g. 31 Dec 2020.

4. In the ‘Repeat every’ field, enter the interval in years worked out in accordance with subsection

36 (2) of the Determination.

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5. Click ‘OK’. The events queue on the events tab will now be filled with the sequence of baseline

events recurring at the interval in years specified across the entire simulation period. Once this

step is completed, users can proceed to section 3.4 to run the simulation.

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3.2.3 Adding project scenario events individually Events for the project scenario must be added in accordance with this section one-by-one, following

the below steps, with reference to above notes.

1. To add a new event, click on the New button on the Event Editing panel. A new pop-up window

will appear.

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2. Select the event ‘type’ from the drop-down list that corresponds to the activity/event as given

below. The notes in section 3.2.1 above provide more information of when to model different

events and activities under the applicable scenarios (project or baseline).

Activity/Event FullCAM Event Type

Regeneration Tree planting

Clearing Forest thinning

Windrow and burn Forest fire

Thinning Forest thinning

Non-fire disturbance event Forest thinning

Wildfire – trees not killed Forest fire

Wildfire – trees killed Forest fire

3. Insert the calendar date for the event in the box to the right of the Calendar date drop down

menu. Acceptable formats include 1 Jan 2015 or 1 1 2015. There are specific timing

requirements that must be followed with reference to the notes given in section 3.2.1.

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4. Click the Insert Standard Values button. From the pop-up window, select the ‘event name’

option that corresponds to the activity/event from the table below. Click ‘OK’ then ‘Yes’ when

prompted to insert the event’s standard name. The parameters for the event will now be filled

with the standard values.

Activity/Event FullCAM Standard Event

Regeneration Plant trees: natural regeneration in regeneration systems

Clearing Initial clearing: No product recovery

Windrow and burn Site prep: Windrow and burn

Thinning Initial clearing: No product recovery

Non-fire disturbance event Initial clearing: No product recovery

Wildfire – trees not killed Wildfire – trees not killed

Wildfire – trees killed Wildfire – trees killed

5. Alter the standard values only if, and where, indicated in the below table for corresponding the

activity/event type.

Activity/Event Standard values that must be edited

Thinning Enter the percentage of the trees that were killed in the thinning under ‘Affected Portion’.

Non-fire disturbance event Enter the percentage of the trees that were killed in the disturbance under ‘Affected Portion’.

Wildfire – trees not killed Enter the percentage of the CEA affected by fire under ‘Affected Portion’.

Wildfire – trees killed Enter the percentage of trees affected by fire under ‘Affected Portion’.

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6. Click ‘OK’ and the event will be added to the event queue.

The Output Windows Tab From the templates used to create plot files, the following outputs will be selected, consistent

with the Determination requirements:

a. the following tree carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Plants / C mass of trees. b. the following debris carbon pool: Other / Carbon Projects / C mass of forest debris. c. the following non CO2 emission: Whole / Emissions / CH4 emitted due to fire d. the following non CO2 emission: Nitrogen / Whole / Emissions / N2O emitted due to

fire. Note: only the four pools listed above must be selected. If the plot file has been modified to be

inconsistent with this, ensure this is corrected by navigating through the drop down menus and

unselecting any other outputs that have a tick against them. Folders containing selected

outputs will appear with a grey tick and outputs selected will have a red tick.

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Running simulations

1. To run the simulation, press the icon in the top menu bar: . Note that if reopening a plot file, users must first navigate to the ‘Data Builder’ tab and click ‘Download Spatial Data’, before running the simulation to ensure the latest spatial data is used for the simulation.

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Viewing outputs Outputs can be viewed as a graph or a table by clicking on the corresponding icons at the top left of the Output window.

Transferring outputs into spreadsheet Steps required:

To transfer data into a Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet for analysis: 1. If you are using Microsoft Excel, then click on the Save to File button (see screenshot) and save

as an Excel file, then skip steps 2 to 4. Alternatively, follow steps 2-4 below to transfer the data to a spreadsheet.

2. Click on the table icon in the output window to view the simulation output as a table.

3. Copy all the output data by clicking on the icon (circled) in the top of the Output window.

4. Open Microsoft Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet), and ‘Paste’ the data copied from FullCAM into the spreadsheet with the top left hand corner in cell A1.

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4. 2016 FullCAM option - setting up simulations for each CEA in the

baseline and project scenario

The general effect of requirements described in section 1.2 is that the 2020 FullCAM option is the default, but projects with section 22 declaration applications submitted before 1 September 2020 can choose the 2016 FullCAM option as long as they are not expanded, don’t move to a new or varied determination and have not reported used the 2020 FullCAM option for a reporting period (see section 1.2).

Simulations for each CEA are undertaken using Plots. Project proponents must use the following steps for entering data into each tab in a FullCAM plot for each CEA registered under the Determination.

All steps must be followed when creating new plot files. When using existing plot files, updated spatial data must be uploaded in the Data Builder tab, and other tabs updated as relevant.

Opening a file For all simulations:

Create a new plot under the ‘File’ menu that will represent a CEA, and give this plot file a name that

reflects the identifier for the CEA.

The About Tab Once you have created a new plot, you will see a window such as below. The plot will default to the

About tab (in blue text):

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On the about tab you can choose what to enter at ‘Name of Plot’. It is recommended that you use a

name for the plot that reflects the identifier for the CEA and model scenario, e.g.

‘CEA1_project_west_2015 offsets report’. This name does not become the file name for the plot. It is

a free text box and is editable from within the plot file. Populating this cell and the content is

optional, but recommended.

Once you have populated the text box press Tab

Under ‘Notes’ you may choose to enter information for your own use. This information will not have

any bearing on the FullCAM outputs.

Once you have populated the text box press Tab

Saving a Plot File Once you have created a plot file, it is best to save immediately to your nominated storage location (e.g. My Documents, thumb drive) and save regularly. Users are responsible for their own document and records management and FullCAM does not provide this function.

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Save the plot file using the ‘File’ menu on the FullCAM toolbar.

You can choose what to enter for the ‘File name’. This is not linked to the ‘Name of plot’ free-text

box on the plots ‘About’ tab. As per the ‘Name of plot’ text box it is recommended that you use a

name for the plot that reflects the identifier for the CEA and model scenario, e.g.

‘CEA1_project_west_2015 offsets report’.

Note: Save the plot file regularly when setting up and running simulations (also Ctrl + S ).

Now navigate to the next tab, Configuration, using the mouse or Page Down.

The Configuration Tab The Configuration tab is where you select the type of system that will be modelled.

For all simulations:

2) This Determination concerns avoided clearing of native regrowth, so you must select Forest

system from the ‘Plot’ drop-down menu.

a. Select Forest system 3) Do not change any other settings on the Configuration tab.

The ‘Configuration’ tab settings must appear as below.

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Now navigate to the next tab, Timing, using the mouse or Page Down.

The Timing Tab The ‘Timing’ tab requires you to define the period you wish to simulate.

Steps required:

On the Timing tab:

1) Under Simulation Timing, select Calendar (see below).

2) Under Start and End of Simulation enter the start date (Gregorian calendar) and end date of the

simulation that you will run, in the format ‘DD MON YYYY’ or ‘DD MM YYYY’ (e.g. ‘31 DEC 2003’

or ‘31 12 2003’).

a. The start date will be the modelling start date in accordance with section 37 of the

Determination.

b. The end date will be 100 years after the modelling start date.

3) Under Output Steps, select Monthly.

4) Do NOT change any other settings.

5) New tabs will appear once all necessary fields in this tab are completed.

An example of how the ‘Timing’ Tab should appear is below.

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Now navigate to the next tab, Data Builder, using the mouse or Page Down.

The Data Builder Tab The Data Builder tab (see image below) allows you to download the data required by FullCAM from

extensive databases maintained by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.

[Note that the default latitude and longitude location is for Uluru].

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Steps required:

1) Click the box to turn on the Data Builder (this requires an internet connection).

2) Enter the latitude and longitude (in decimal degrees) of the model point location which is

central to and representative of the area being modelled.

3) Click the button to Download Spatial Data, and then click ‘OK’ in the Information Box that pops

up.

4) Under Trees and Events, select ‘Mixed species environmental plantings’ from the dropdown box

for ‘Tree species’. NB: Do NOT use the ‘Mixed species environmental plantings temperate’

setting or the ‘Mixed species environmental plantings tropical’ setting.

5) Select the tree species.

6) Under Trees and Events, click the Download This Species button

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7) A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to make the selected Tree Species the ‘initial tree

species’. Click ‘Yes’.

8) Do NOT download regimes for this species.

9) Do NOT change any other setting.

An example of how the Data Builder Tab should now appear is presented below.

Now navigate to the tab, Initial Conditions, using the mouse or Page Down.

Do not change any settings on the Site, Trees, or Soil tabs

The Site tab

DO NOT change any settings on this tab.

The Trees tab

DO NOT change any settings on this tab. [The species on this tab must match the Tree Species on the Data Builder tab].

The Soil tab

DO NOT change any settings on this tab.

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The Initial Conditions tab The Initial Conditions tab will look like this:

Steps required:

1) Under Forest, click the button labelled Trees.

2) The species you selected at the Data Builder tab will be showing in the drop-down box under

Species (see below).

3) Under Existence ensure that the box (‘The forest has trees growing in it at the start of the

simulation’) is un-checked (see below).

The Trees window must have the Existence box un-checked:

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4) Click OK.

5) In the Initial Conditions tab, click the button labelled Debris.

6) Change all the default settings for each debris pool to zero (see below). You may press Tab to

move between cells.

7) Once all settings are set to zero Click OK.

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The Debris window must look like this, with all values set to ‘0’:

8) DO NOT change any other settings on this tab.

Now navigate to the ‘Events’ tab using the mouse or Page Down.

The Events Tab

4.11.1 Permitted Events Events must be modelled for both the baseline and project scenarios. All events that are permitted

in the methodology for the baseline scenario are listed in Table 1 below. All events that are

permitted in the methodology for the project scenario are listed in Table 2 below.

Baseline Scenario

The baseline scenario has three events that must be modelled:

Regeneration event: The first regeneration event is modelled in accordance with section 35

of the Determination. Other projected regeneration events occur at intervals determined in

accordance with section 36 of the Determination.

Projected clearing event: The date of the first baseline clearing event is determined in

accordance with section 27 of the Determination. Other projected clearing events occur at

intervals determined in accordance with section 36 of the Determination. A clearing event

must be modelled to occur in each year a projected clearing event occurs, on 1 January of

that year.

Projected windrow and burn fire event: Events must be added to the baseline scenario in

accordance with section 36 of the Determination for each windrow and burn fire event in

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the baseline scenario. Windrow and burns are modelled to occur one year after each

projected clearing event, on 1 January.

All settings shown in Table 1 must be used for modelling the baseline scenario.

Table 1: Modelled events permitted in the baseline scenario

Management Activity FullCAM Event Type

FullCAM Standard Event

FullCAM Parameter values

Regeneration event

Plant trees Plant trees: natural regeneration

Use Default – select ‘Insert standard values’

Projected clearing event

Thin Initial clearing: No product recovery

Use Default – select ‘Insert standard values’

Ensure that the box next to ‘Affected portion’ contains the value ‘100’ to indicate a clearing event.

Remainder of parameters–use default

Projected windrow and burn fire event.

Forest fire Site prep: Windrow and burn

Use Default

Project Scenario

The project scenario has four types of events that must be modelled when they occur:

A thinning event (including non-fire disturbance events): Thinning events are used to model

thinning for ecological purposes as well as non-fire disturbance events. Ecological thinning

events must be added for each separate event that occurs in a CEA during the modelling

period in accordance with section 39 of the Determination. While non-fire disturbance

events must be added to the project scenario in accordance with section 41 of the

Determination.

Wildfire – trees not killed: Events must be added in accordance with section 40 of the

Determination for each fire in which trees are not killed that occurs in a CEA during the

modelling period. For each modelled Wildfire – trees not killed event, the modelled date is

that determined in accordance with section 40 of the Determination.

Wildfire – trees killed: Events must be added in accordance with section 40 of the

Determination for each fire in which trees are killed that occurs in a CEA during the

modelling period. For each modelled Wildfire – trees killed event, the modelled date is that

determined in accordance with section 40 of the Determination.

Regeneration event: The first regeneration event is modelled in accordance with section 38

of the Determination. In accordance with section 42 of the Determination, project

proponents can add a regeneration event following a natural disturbance that kills all the

trees in a CEA. The modelling date of this event is determined in accordance with section 42

of the Determination.

All settings shown in Table 2 must be used for modelling the events in the project scenario. Wildfires

must be included in the project scenario as they occur.

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Table 2: Modelled events permitted in the project scenario

Management Activity FullCAM Event Type

FullCAM Standard Event

FullCAM Parameter values

A thinning event (including non-fire disturbance events)

Thin Initial clearing: No product recovery

Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of the trees that were killed in the thinning under ‘Affected Portion’.

Remainder of parameters–use default

Wildfire – trees not killed

Forest fire Wildfire – trees not killed

Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of the CEA affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Wildfire – trees killed

Forest fire Wildfire – trees killed

Tick the Enable biomass based age adjustments box.

Enter the percentage of trees affected by fire under Affected Portion

Remainder of parameters–use default.

Regeneration

Plant trees Plant trees: natural regeneration

Use Default – select ‘Insert standard values’

4.11.2 Adding a New Event 1. To add a new event, click on the New button on the Event Editing panel.

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This will produce the following pop-up that needs to be completed.

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2. There are six event Types, of which only a selection are permitted under the Determination. For

each event to be added, select the appropriate Event Type as indicated in Table 1 (baseline

scenario) or Table 2 (project scenario).

3. For each event, insert the calendar date for the event in the box to the right of the Calendar

date drop down menu. This must be in the format of 1 Jan 2015 or 1 1 2015.

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4. For each event added select Insert Standard Values (see below).

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5. A pop-up window will open that allows you to Select A Standard Event. Tables 1 and 2 define

which event Type and which Standard event must be selected for each management activity.

You must use default settings for the standard events unless defined otherwise in Tables 1 or 2.

One exception is for wildfire, whether for trees killed or trees not killed: you must enter the

affected portion of the CEA as a percentage. An example of the Select A Standard Event menu is

shown here:

6. After you have selected the appropriate Standard Event, a pop-up window will ask if you would

like to also insert the name of the standard event. Click ‘Yes’.

7. Click ‘OK’. The new event will appear in the event queue

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4.11.3 Cloning Events All events to be included in the baseline scenario can be cloned to cover the 100 year modelling

period. The following steps are required:

1) Determine the time interval between the projected events in accordance with section 36 of the

Determination.

2) Ensure that all the events forming a single cycle for the baseline scenario – regeneration,

clearing, and windrow and fire – have been added. By default, FullCAM will create a new regime

for each event added.

3) Highlight each of the existing regimes in the left hand column by holding ctrl on the keyboard

and clicking on each regime.

4) Select the ‘Edit’ button under the Regime Editing header.

5) In the name field type ‘baseline’, then click ‘ok’. This will combine all existing events under one

regime.

6) Press the ‘Clone’ button under the Regime Editing header.

7) For ‘calendar years’, enter the intervals between projected events as determined under 36 of

the Determination.

8) For ‘Number of times’, which changes the number of times the events are cloned , enter a value

high enough to cover the remainder of the hundred year modelling period. For example, if

there is 85 years remaining in the modelling period beyond the end of the events already

added, and the baseline sequence of events to be cloned covers 15 years, you will need to clone

the events at least 6 times (6 x 15 = 90).

9) Click ‘OK’.

10) Any events that are scheduled beyond the 100 year baseline modelling period will be

highlighted in grey and can be ignored or deleted (they will not affect the modelling period as

the fall outside the simulated dates).

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44

45

46

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Now navigate to the next tab Output Windows using the mouse or Page Down.

The Output Windows Tab Steps required:

1) Double click on Output1 listed in the Output Windows.

2) Click on the Select which Outputs to Show icon at the top of the output window (see below):

Notes: The outputs are organized into folders and sub folders, just like files are organized into folders in Windows Explorer. Click the drop-down arrow next to a folder to expand and collapse the folders. A single click on the icon or name of a folder selects or deselects everything within the folder.

Selected outputs have a red tick on their icon, and a grey tick on the folder(s) where they are located. (See Image below).

A red tick on a folder indicates that all outputs within that folder and its subfolders are selected.

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Steps required (continued):

3) Deselect all the pools (by simply clicking on the top-level folders that show a tick, to remove the

tick).

4) Use the drop down arrows and navigate through the folders to select:

a. the following tree carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Plants / C mass of trees. b. the following debris carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Debris / C mass of forest debris. c. the following non CO2 emission: Whole / Emissions / CH4 emitted due to fire d. the following non CO2 emission: Nitrogen / Whole / Emissions / N2O emitted due to

fire. 5) Note: only the four pools listed above must be selected. The bottom section of the screen

shows how many outputs are selected (see below)

6) Click ‘OK’.

The below image shows the expanded view for the following two outputs:

the following non CO2 emission: Whole / Emissions / CH4 emitted due to fire

the following tree carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Plants / C mass of trees.

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The below image shows the expanded view for the following two outputs:

the following debris carbon pool: Carbon / Forest / Debris / C mass of forest debris.

the following non CO2 emission: Nitrogen / Whole / Emissions / N2O emitted due to fire.

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Running simulations Step required:

2. To run the simulation, press the icon in the top menu bar:

Viewing outputs Outputs can be viewed as a graph or a table by clicking one of the icons at the top left of the Output window.

Transferring outputs into a spread sheet Steps required:

To transfer data into a Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet for analysis: 5. If you are using Microsoft Excel, then click on the Save to File button (see screenshot) and save

as an Excel file, then skip steps 2 to 5. Alternatively, follow steps 2-5 below to transfer the data to a spreadsheet.

6. Click on the table icon in the output window to view the simulation output as a table.

7. Select all the output data by clicking on the icon (circled) in the top of the Output window.

8. On the highlighted data, right click and select ‘Copy’. 9. Open Microsoft Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet), and ‘Paste’ the data copied from FullCAM

into the spreadsheet with the top left hand corner in cell A1. The data in the spreadsheet can now be used to complete the calculations set out in the Determination.

5. FullCAM Simulations and Offsets Reporting

Project proponents must calculate the project net abatement by completing the equations in Part 4

of the Determination. The net abatement amount is calculated by comparing the baseline and

project scenarios. The calculations are made in relation to the carbon stock in each CEA in the last

month of the reporting period. Parameters generated in FullCAM and used in Equations in the

Determination are given below in Table 3.

Note that for some of the equations the average or sum of the FullCAM output over the simulation

period will be required, whereas for others the value of the FullCAM output at the end of the

simulation period will be used. Refer to the equations within the Determination to determine which

value to use. Averages or sums can be calculated using the average and sum functions within your

spreadsheet software.

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Table 3: FullCAM outputs and Corresponding Parameters as defined in the Determination

FullCAM Output Scenario Parameter Equation

C mass of trees Baseline 𝐶𝐵𝑇,𝑖,𝑘 1

C mass of debris Baseline 𝐶𝐵𝐷,𝑖,𝑘 1

C mass of trees Project 𝐶𝑇,𝑖 2

C mass of debris Project 𝐶𝐷,𝑖 2

CH4 emitted due to fire

Project 𝐸𝐶𝐻4,𝑖 6

N2O emitted due to fire

Project 𝐸𝑁2𝑂,𝑖 7