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FAQ



Humus improves soil fertility, increases water retention capacity, reduces erosion, and enhances biodiversity. Additionally, it sustainably sequesters carbon, which makes the soil healthier and stabilises agricultural yields in the long term.

Permitted are:

  • Arable land, pasture land, fruit orchards (e.g. apples, pears) and vineyards.
  • Areas that can increase or at least maintain soil organic carbon (SOC) through regenerative management practices.


Excluded are areas:

  • Wetlands or bogs that have been drained in the last 10 years.
  • Organic soils (histosols) with histic or folic horizons.
  • Natural forests that have been converted into arable land, meadows, plantations, or vineyards in the last 10 years.

CARBOFARM supports measures that improve soil fertility and increase carbon storage, while harmful practices are excluded.


Approved measures:


  • Increase biomass production: water management and efficient irrigation.
  • Fertiliser management.
  • Adjusted application of organic (manure, compost) and mineral fertilisers.
  • Lime and gypsum for soil improvement in acidic or saline soils.
  • Promoting soil fertility: Use of organic fertilisers such as mycorrhiza or phosphate-solubilising bacteria.
  • Residue and mulch management: Permanent soil cover with mulch, cover crops or green manure.
  • Minimal or Direct Seeding (No-Till): Reduction of Soil Tillage.
  • Erosion control: terrace construction, water retention, and greening of degraded areas.
  • Diversification: Introduction of crop rotations, agroforestry systems, and site-adapted legumes.
  • Grazing management: control of stocking density and grazing duration, renewal of pastures.


Excluded measures:


  • Drainage of wetlands and peatlands: Areas that have been drained in the last 10 years are excluded.
  • Removal of topsoil: Extraction of topsoil for industrial purposes (e.g. brick production) is not permitted.
  • Use of toxic substances: No application of heavy metals, radioactive materials, or pollutants that could contaminate water or soil.
  • Conversion of natural vegetation: The conversion of natural vegetation (e.g. forests, grasslands) into arable land or plantations is prohibited.
  • Harmful grazing and soil compaction: Overgrazing or heavy agricultural traffic that leads to compaction or permanent damage to the soil is excluded.
  • Fire as a management tool: The use of fire is only permitted when it is ecologically necessary (e.g. controlled burns).
  • Unsustainable landscape changes: Measures that do not serve erosion control (e.g. slope modifications in industrial vineyards) are not permitted.

The sampling is carried out by certified service providers and includes:

  • Standardised soil samples (e.g. NDVI stratification or in the 5ha model).
  • Analysis by independent laboratories.
  • Documentation of the results for tracking progress.

The costs for sampling and analysis are borne by the farmer.

The quantity varies depending on the region, soil type, and management.

  • Average: up to 3.5 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare annually.
  • Peak values: Up to 22 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare as part of pilot projects.

The remuneration is based on the actual carbon sequestration. CARBOFARM sells the CO₂ credits and pays the proceeds to the farmers.

CARBOFARM does not charge a registration fee, but rather a reimbursement of expenses that covers the following services:

  • Travel costs of the soil sample collectors.
  • Costs for sampling, laboratory analysis and stratification.


The amount is determined individually based on the area structure.

Yes, leased areas can be registered. Ideally, the lease agreement should cover the entire project duration (8 years).

  • In the event of a sale: The programme will continue if the new owner takes over the participation.
  • In the case of a new lease: The new tenant can participate seamlessly. Otherwise, the area will be excluded.

A cycle lasts 8 years with soil samples taken every 2 years. After each sampling, compensation is provided based on carbon sequestration.

If no humus is built up, no certificates are created and therefore no remuneration. However, CARBOFARM supports the analysis of the causes and the optimisation of the measures.

No, double counting is excluded. Areas can only be registered under a carbon programme.

The success is measured by the improvement of the humus content and the amount of stored carbon. Regular soil samples and analyses provide transparent evidence.

  • Promotion of soil health and productivity.
  • Additional income from the sale of CO₂ credits.
  • Support for the transition to regenerative agriculture.
  • No financial risks thanks to an insurance buffer.

The registration is done by phone or email. CARBOFARM supports the entire registration process, including:

  • Collection of area data.
  • Discussion of management methods.
  • Planning of the first soil samples.