Consultation open: Emissions Reduction Fund audits – projects subject to alternative assurance arrangements

The Clean Energy Regulator and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) are seeking your views on proposed amendments to two legislative instruments:

• the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015 (the CFI Rule)
• the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Instrument 2015 (the Audit Thresholds Instrument).

The proposed amendments would constitute an important streamlining measure that would enable the Clean Energy Regulator to reduce the number of audits required for classes of projects for which appropriate alternative assurance can be achieved. The initial class of projects set out in the Audit Threshold Instrument are those using the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings—FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2014 that meet certain criteria.

The proposed amendments are set out in the:

• consultation paper
• draft CFI rule
• draft Audit Thresholds Instrument.

Submissions are due by 5 pm, Monday 7 June 2021 (AEST). Any submissions received after this date will be considered at the Clean Energy Regulator and DISER’s discretion.

It is preferred that submissions are emailed, with a completed submission coversheet. The coversheet includes contact details and information about confidentiality and privacy.