Plantation forestry alternative assurance consultation

We’re seeking your feedback on proposed amendments to audit requirements for certain plantation forestry projects under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme.

Background

We’re proposing a new class of alternative assurance projects that will reduce the audit requirements for eligible small-scale new plantations covered by schedule 1 of the plantation forestry method. 

This new class applies to low-risk plantation forestry projects. Existing projects or new applications that meet the proposed criteria under this class will be eligible for a reduced audit schedule. 

For these projects, alternative assurance will reduce administrative burden and incentivise scheme participation by lowering audit costs.

Consultation documents

• Proposed amendments to the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Instrument 2015
• Public consultation paper: alternative assurance arrangements for low-risk plantation forestry projects
• Coversheet: alternative assurance arrangements for low-risk plantation forestry projects

Outcomes

We received 10 email submissions for this consultation from a range of stakeholders. Overall, submissions were supportive of the proposal and agreed that the integrity of low-risk plantation forestry projects could be sufficiently assured under the proposed audit schedule. Most agreed that reducing audit costs will likely increase participation.

We’ve considered the feedback and have introduced a new class of alternative assurance projects for low-risk plantation forestry projects. To be eligible, a project must:

• be covered by either or both Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of the 2022 plantation forestry method
• have an anticipated and reported carbon estimation area of no more than 200 hectares
• agree to be subject to geospatial monitoring and other compliance checks by us.

For more information, view the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Amendment (Low Risk Plantation Forestry Projects) Instrument 2024 and its explanatory statement.

Published responses

We only publish submissions from respondents who gave permission. However, all responses were included in the analysis of this consultation.

• Australian Forest Products Association [PDF 265 kB]
• The Carbon Farming Foundation [PDF 153 kB]
• Private Forests Tasmania [PDF 204 kB]
• Private plantation (DS Honig) [PDF 278 kB]

Read our response to the consultation submissions.