Independent review of gateway checks December 2025

This is the fifth review conducted by Associate Professor (Honorary) Cris Brack of the human-induced regeneration (HIR) gateway checks. This adds to the series of independent reviews, which began in 2023.

Regeneration checks require proponents to demonstrate at 5-yearly intervals that the regenerating vegetation within their project’s carbon estimation areas (CEAs) are increasing in canopy cover against relevant thresholds.

With this new report, Assoc Prof Brack has now independently reviewed 85 projects. This represents around 30% of reporting projects under the HIR method.

Summary

The review found that:

• Independent audit reports and our assessment processes provide strong assurance that projects are being managed in line with HIR requirements.
• Appropriate methods are being used by proponents and their agents to classify carbon estimation areas and demonstrate regeneration is meeting relevant thresholds, with acceptable accuracy rates and aligned with good practice.
• We continue to check that regeneration thresholds are being met by using multiple data sources, and we routinely request additional data from proponents to address areas of concern or resolve discrepancies.