Associate Professor (Honorary) Cris Brack, a forestry expert from the Australian National University, has completed his latest review of the processes and outcomes of human-induced regeneration (HIR) project gateway checks.
For his review, Assoc Prof Brack analysed 33 HIR projects, including 18 projects reported on in August 2024.
The report found:
- our assessment of the HIR project gateway checks using multiple sources of data, including hundreds of georeferenced photographs and in-situ measurements, remains robust
- the re-stratification of carbon estimation areas (CEAs) is key to the integrity of the HIR portfolio and to ensure that only regenerating CEAs are issued Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs)
- the report further supports Assoc Prof Brack’s earlier findings that only using national-scale models of tree cover is unreliable for many projects, particularly in Western Australia.
An increased focus on objectively located, field-based measurements and georeferenced photographs is required until national-scale models of tree cover become more reliable for large HIR projects.
Assoc Prof Brack said the independent audit reports, our reviews and new s215 audits continue to provide strong assurance that projects are being managed as per the HIR requirements.
See Assoc Prof Brack’s latest independent review report of HIR gateway checks.
HIR projects must undergo regular gateway checks to demonstrate that only land progressing towards forest cover is being issued ACCUs.
Assoc Prof Brack conducts regular 6 monthly reviews to provide additional assurance on the integrity and performance of these checks. See previous reviews of HIR gateway checks.