Carbon crediting schemes are a key method for reducing, capturing and storing atmospheric carbon. However, their true impact is only revealed over longer timeframes, and climatic variables can obscure a program’s effectiveness in the short term. Biotext worked with an Australian Government organisation to explain the science and regulatory processes behind a complex carbon crediting method.
The public-facing paper aimed to support public confidence in the integrity and effectiveness of the method. The paper was published on the organisation’s website and received positive media coverage that helped to address misunderstandings about the carbon crediting method.
We also provided strategic content guidance to help the team write similar papers that explain technical concepts to general audiences.
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Our experience with Biotext was excellent. [They] understood our requirements, worked flexibly with our agency where needed and delivered the outcome we were hoping for. [What I value most about Biotext is] Experience and ideas. Calmness under pressure. Productivity.
Our role
- Business analysis
- Content audit and analysis
- Content design and structure
- Technical writing and synthesis
- Work with subject matter experts
- Information design
- Infographics
- Data visualisation
- Custom workshop
Our solution
Our content planning phase involved understanding the science and regulatory processes that underpin the carbon crediting method. To address the team’s concerns around misinformation in the media, we reviewed published articles and media coverage to identify which parts of the method are prone to misinterpretation, and which underpinning concepts need to be clearly explained.
Through our scientific writing and editing processes, we focused on explaining how the method works and how it is implemented by the organisation. We worked closely with the team that oversees the method to rewrite the draft paper in a way that clearly explained the complex method in plain language.
Our visual design process focused on representing the foundational concepts that are often misinterpreted. For these, we created graphs and infographics to support text explanations. Visuals included graphs of forecasted carbon sequestration and crediting, and conceptual diagrams of the method to help non-expert audiences understand the key messages.
One of our favourite parts was delivering a custom workshop to the team, to help build their skills in communicating complex topics to general audiences. The session included relevant examples from our work on the report, and practical activities for tangible learning. We also developed a bespoke guidance document of tips and examples relevant to the team’s work.
Outcome
- PDF-ready designed Word document