Joint media release: new Environmental Plantings method to strengthen Australia’s carbon market

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Josh Wilson MP

The Albanese Government has improved Australia’s carbon crediting scheme (ACCUs) with the release of the 2024 Environmental Plantings method. 

The new method allows proponents to obtain carbon credits by establishing plantings of forests native to the local area, or through mallee plantings. 

It updates the method first introduced in 2014, which expired in September.

Proponents must demonstrate that the species they intend to plant, and their management approach, is likely to achieve and maintain forest cover, even with a changing climate.

The updated method improves the integrity of registered projects and makes the method easier to use, with key changes enabling participants to:

• Prepare for planting and get underway sooner
• Harvest seed to enable more plantings of native trees
• Enhance biodiversity

Improvements to measurement tools mean proponents now also have more flexibility to space trees as needed, making projects easier and faster to plant.

Proponents can now apply to the Clean Energy Regulator to register new projects or transfer existing projects that are currently registered under the expired method.

For more information about the new Environmental Plantings method, including the changes made to the 2014 method, visit DCCEEW's webpage. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen: 

“The ACCU scheme is, by necessity, a critical part of the ‘net’ in Net Zero and a crucial lever for hard-to-abate industries to meet their net emissions limits. 

“There is a high level of scrutiny on the development of new methods, and rightly so. Getting this right is critical to their integrity. Our work on this remake of the Environmental Plantings method will increase integrity and make it easier for landholders to undertake projects, benefiting land managers, industry and First Nations peoples.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson: 

“After 10 years in operation, the Environmental Plantings method has been updated to ensure best practice in helping us reach our emissions reduction targets by encouraging native forest regrowth. 

“The ongoing success of our carbon market relies on ACCU methods that cut emissions and create opportunities for landholders, businesses and particularly regional communities, while supporting action on climate change.

“The Albanese Government’s support for high-quality and well-managed Environmental Plantings is part of our comprehensive work to tackle dangerous climate change and improve environmental condition and biodiversity.”