Cassowary Credits Launches

Eco-Markets Australia is pleased to announce the launch of independent administration of Cassowary Credits – Wet Tropics Rainforest Recovery Program, as a new Biodiversity Credit Market. The program officially launches 22nd May 2025, on the United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity.

This milestone marks the first biodiversity market administered by Eco-Markets Australia and introduces a new opportunity for landholders in Queensland’s Wet Tropics to be rewarded for restoring rainforest ecosystems through earning verified biodiversity credits.

Cassowary Credits are designed to support landholders undertaking eligible restoration activities that improve habitat condition, reduce threats, and support species recovery in one of Australia’s most ecologically significant landscapes. Developed by Terrain NRM, the Cassowary Credit Standard and its first approved methodology, the Rainforest Replanting Methodology, have now undergone a full independent evaluation by Eco-Markets Australia, launching the program and inviting landholders to participate.

“Eco-Markets Australia’s role is to ensure that the credit generation process is robust, transparent and independently verified,” said Maree Adshead, CEO of Eco-Markets Australia. “Our framework ensures every credit issued represents a real, measurable environmental outcome, providing confidence to both landholders and buyers that these credits have integrity.”

Stewart Christie, CEO of Terrain NRM said Cassowary Credits were developed to reward landholders who are improving the condition of rainforest ecosystems in the Wet Tropics, one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.

“The scheme also aims to support Rainforest Aboriginal People in healing and restoring their Traditional Country. As the first projects start to roll out, we’re already seeing Traditional Owners taking part.”

“With the scheme now transitioning to independent administration by Eco-Markets Australia, it marks the next stage in being able to deliver projects that will contribute to the conservation of our region’s internationally-recognised biodiversity values.”

Eco-Markets Australia now independently manages all program oversight, including project registration, validation, monitoring and the transparent issuance and tracking of credits through a publicly accessible Registry.

About the Wet Tropics and the need for restoration

The Wet Tropics rainforest has experienced decades of fragmentation from land clearing, development, and infrastructure. Restoration in this region improves biodiversity outcomes on land and enhances the health of connected freshwater and marine ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Eco-Markets Australia is committed to delivering integrity-led, independently verified environmental market solutions that support both nature and people. The launch of Cassowary Credits sets a new benchmark for how biodiversity markets can work for landholders, investors, and the environment to create a high integrity nature finance mechanism, driving private investment into nature restoration and preservation.