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Public Consultations

All programs and methodologies approved and administered by Eco-Markets Australia undergo a thorough review process, which includes a 30-day public consultation period. This ensures that stakeholders have the opportunity to provide input and that all perspectives are considered before final approval.

All current public consultations are listed below:

Current Public Consultations

Current public consultations:

Recent Program Standards Public Consultations

Current public consultations for Standards:

Australasian Biodiversity Improvement Standard (ABIS) - Consultation Now Closed

Through the ENVOMARK Value Nature Framework, Eco Markets (EMA) has now concluded consultation on the draft Australasian Biodiversity Improvement Standard (ABIS).  

The ABIS extends EMAs suite of integrated ENVOMARK standards, which share the same machinery, enable high-integrity natural capital credit markets and drive investment across nature repair.

ABIS establishes the rules that biodiversity improvement Methodologies and Projects must meet to generate ENVOMARK assured, high-integrity Biodiversity Credits throughout Australasia. Its intent is to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework, Nature Repair Market, Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme and the EPBC Act Reforms, delivering Credits suitable for both ESG and Compliance markets.

Building on the foundations of established schemes such as ACWIS, the Reef Credit Scheme and the Cassowary Credit Scheme, ABIS enables biodiversity improvements to be quantified in units of condition improvement, transparently converted to credits, and confidently verified by independent third parties.

Public consultation is a critical step in ensuring ABIS is robust, workable and credible for project proponents, landholders, Traditional Owners, investors, governments and credit buyers. Feedback received will inform refinements ahead of final amendments of the ENVOMARK ABIS and formal adoption of the Standard.

For further information please visit the Public Consultation Webinar ABIS Public Consultation April 2026

 Public consultation documents are available on the EMA Website and include:

  1. Draft Australasian Biodiversity Improvement Standard (ABIS)
  2. Draft Australasian Biodiversity Improvement Definitions
  3. Public Consultation Discussion Paper 

Public Consultation is now closed. 

ACWIS Grazing Land Management Methodology - Consultation Now Closed

 

 Eco Markets (EMA) has concluded the public consultation process on the Australasian Catchment Water Improvement Standard (ACWIS) Method for Accounting Fine Sediment Abatement Through Improved Grazing Land Management (GLM) v1.0.

This methodology provides a nationally consistent, scientifically robust framework for quantifying fine sediment (FS) reductions achieved through improved grazing land management. It builds on the previously approved Reef Credit GLM Method, which underwent extensive peer review and public consultation, and adapts it for broader national application under ACWIS.

Fine sediment is one of the major contributors to water quality decline in Australian catchments. When mobilised from hillslopes, FS reduces water clarity, damages freshwater and marine ecosystems, and diminishes the resilience of downstream habitats. Many catchments are affected by accelerated erosion exacerbated by land use pressures, particularly grazing. The GLM Method supports landholders to increase ground cover, reduce hillslope erosion, and improve catchment water quality, with eligible projects able to generate integrity assured ENVOMARK Credits.

The public consultation process has now closed. Feedback received during the consultation period will inform final refinements to the Method prior to ENVOMARK assurance and adoption under ACWIS. 

Consultation documents: 

  1. ACWIS GLM Public Consultation Discussion Paper and Feedback Form
  2. ACWIS GLM Methodology
  3. Methodology Explanatory Statement

Public Consultation is now closed.

Australasian Catchment Water Improvement Standard (ACWIS) - Consultation Now Closed

Eco-Markets concluded the ENVOMARK integrity assured Value Nature Framework process, and the Australasian Catchment Water Improvement Standard (ACWIS) was approved by the Eco-Markets Board 27th October 2025. Thank you to all stakeholders who have submitted, we value your feedback.

Feedback received in submissions during the public consultation held 18 July 2025 to 18 August 2025, being 30 days, informed the final revision of the ACWIS which was launched 6th November 2025.

ACWIS is designed to support the generation of water quality improvement credits—similar to Reef Credits—that recognise and reward landholders and project developers for implementing activities that measurably improve water quality. These may include sediment control, nutrient reduction, and other scientifically validated interventions in both inland and coastal catchments.

For further information a pre-recorded webinar is available, providing an informative unpacking of the ACWIS.

Public Consultation draft documents: 

  1. ACWIS Discussion Paper
  2. ACWIS Standard
  3. ACWIS Definitions 
  4. Public Consultation Feedback Form

Public consultation is now closed.

ACWIS Public Consultation Feedback Summary 18 July-18 August 2025

 

Cassowary Credit Scheme Standard - Consultation Now Closed

Thank you to all stakeholders who have submitted, we value your feedback.

We have extracted the feedback received in submissions during the Cassowary Credits Standard public consultation. Each submission has been extracted directly as written, however for the purpose of de-identification, Eco-Markets Australia has replaced identifiable names with ‘Respondent x’ throughout the responses.

Eco-Markets Australia is continuing with the assessment process of Cassowary Credits Standard and will finalise the assessment in the coming months.

View Public Consultation Responses Document: Cassowary Credits Standard Public Consultation Responses - October 2024

Cassowary Credits is a new voluntary biodiversity market targeting habitat preservation, restoration and repair in the Wet Tropics region Queensland.

Eco-Markets Australia held a public consultation 01-30 October 2024 on the draft Cassowary Credit Standard which outlines the rules and requirements for participants. We also sought feedback on the Rainforest Replanting Methodology separately, details of which can be found below in the Methodology section.

The Cassowary Credit Scheme draft documents can be downloaded below:

Have Your Say

To participate and provide your valued feedback, please:

  1. Read the Cassowary Credit Overview Page providing an overview to the Cassowary Credit Scheme with supporting links.
  2. Watch Cassowary Credit Public Consultation Informational Webinar explaining the process and overview of the Cassowary Credit Scheme and Rainforest Replanting Methodology.
  3. Download, Complete & Submit the Cassowary Credit Standard Public Consultation Feedback Form with your comments.

Public consultation on the draft Cassowary Credit Scheme Standard and Supporting Documents is now closed - The public consultation period was 01- 30 October 2024.

Any submissions received after this date will be considered at the discretion of the Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat.

Please note, all submissions are public documents and will be published on the Eco-Markets Australia website after the consultation period. Each submission will be de-identified.

If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Tilakumara, Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat & Market Development on 0439 799 772 or by email.

Recent Methodology Public Consultations

Current public consultations for Methodologies:

Rainforest Replanting Methodology for the Cassowary Credit Scheme - Consultation Now Closed

No feedback was received during the public consultation period for the draft Rainforest Replanting Methodology for the Cassowary Credit Scheme. 

Eco-Markets Australia is continuing with the assessment process of the Rainforest Replanting Methodology for the Cassowary Credit Scheme and will finalise the assessment in the coming months.

Eco-Markets Australia held a public consultation 01-30 October 2024 on the draft Rainforest Replanting Methodology for the Cassowary Credit Scheme, which specifies how to accurately account for improvements in rainforest conditions through the replanting of native rainforest vegetation.

The draft Rainforest Replanting Methodology documents can be downloaded below:

Have Your Say

To participate and provide your valued feedback, please:

  1. Read the Cassowary Credit Overview Page providing an overview to the Cassowary Credit Scheme with supporting links.
  2. Watch Cassowary Credit Public Consultation Informational Webinar explaining the process and overview of the Cassowary Credit Scheme and Rainforest Replanting Methodology.
  3. Download, Complete & Submit the Rainforest Replanting Methodology Public Consultation Feedback Form with your comments.

Public consultation on the draft Rainforest Replanting Methodology for the Cassowary Credit Scheme is now closed, the period of public consultation was 01-30 October 2024.

Any submissions received after this date will be considered at the discretion of the Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat.

Please note, all submissions are public documents and will be published on the Eco-Markets Australia website after the consultation period. Each submission will be de-identified.

If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Tilakumara, Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat & Market Development on 0439 799 772 or by email.

Details of all previous Standard and Methodology public consultations can be found on the Past Consultations page.