Credit Stacking – An Australian First
In a landmark development for environmental markets in Australia, Cassowary Credit projects are now eligible to be stacked with Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) projects under the Clean Energy Regulator’s framework. This is the first time a biodiversity credit program has been formally endorsed for project stacking alongside a carbon credit program on the same parcel of land.
Maree Adshead, CEO of Eco-Markets Australia stated; “This is a game-changer, the ability for landholders to generate two separate tradeable credits, Cassowary Credits that reward biodiversity outcomes and ACCUs for carbon related outcomes, creating new opportunities to diversify income and reduce risk. It rewards land stewardship in a more complete and practical way.”
“What better way to support landholders than to incentivise them for doing what they do best, managing their land, while offering additional income streams for implementing best-practice conservation or restoration activities. We hope this becomes the new norm, where farmers are recognised not just as food producers or carbon farmers, but as land stewards who contribute to biodiversity, water quality improvement, climate, and community outcomes, and are suitably rewarded for this.”
Cassowary Coast Regional Council are one of the first Cassowary Credits project proponents and are planning to stack their project with an ACCU project.
Councillor Jeff Baines, Cassowary Coast Regional Council portfolio holder for Environment and Reef Guardian representative, said the initiative demonstrates the region’s commitment to environmental leadership:
“One of the first Cassowary Credits projects to be registered is being delivered by Cassowary Coast Regional Council, with intentions to stack both Australian Carbon Credit Units and Cassowary Credits on the same parcel of land. This site, located along Ninds Creek opposite Moresby Range National Park, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our region.” he said.
“We’re proud to be trialling this on Council land and look forward to seeing how this can benefit local landholders as an alternative income stream.”
“It is a fantastic opportunity for Council to lead the way in the growing environmental market, particularly through Cassowary Credits, which are uniquely tailored to the Wet Tropics bioregion.”
Please visit the Credit Stacking page for more information on how to stack an ACCU project with a Cassowary Credits project.
