Crediting risks under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme are managed by scientifically robust methods, conservative measurement and modelling approaches, and comprehensive administrative controls. This ensures projects are only issued credits for genuine and additional abatement.
Method-specific papers on risk management
We're developing a series of papers on managing project risk in various methods. The papers are part of a larger narrative on risks and compliance in ACCU projects and should be considered alongside previous independent reviews.
Like any business activity, implementing emission avoidance and carbon sequestration projects will have risks. If proponents understand these risks and how to manage them, they can make informed decisions about scheme participation and maximise project outcomes.
The first paper in the series is on the human-induced regeneration (HIR) method. The second paper of this series will address the management of risks under the soil carbon method and is expected to be published later in the year.
Human-induced regeneration method paper
The Human-induced regeneration method – managing project risk to deliver carbon abatement for Australia paper describes how projects registered under the HIR method earn carbon credits based on the carbon sequestration in native vegetation.
The paper provides an overview of the robust framework for large-scale sequestration throughout Australia. It also highlights the uncertainty and risks associated with running a HIR project and outlines the key compliance and crediting controls in place to mitigate these risks.
Transparency changes for the ACCU Scheme
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy has amended the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015. This amendment allows us to publish more information on the ACCU Scheme project register.
This change will improve transparency about how the ACCU Scheme works to accelerate carbon abatement for Australia. It follows a recommendation of the 2022 Independent Review of ACCUs.
We support this change and are currently in the process of transitioning the ACCU Scheme project register to publish this new information. These updates will begin in early May and will be completed by July 2025.
Due to legislative secrecy provisions, we can only publish legislatively required information on the project register. To address this, we are making it easier for project proponents to voluntarily release extra information about their projects. This information will be published alongside the project register.
Visit the ACCU Scheme project register for more information on this process.
Independent Reviews of the ACCU Scheme
Gateway check reviews
Associate Professor (Honorary) Cris Brack from the Australian National University conducts independent reviews of human-induced regeneration (HIR) gateway checks every 6 months.
These reviews provide additional assurance on the integrity and performance of HIR regeneration projects. The outcomes also inform our compliance responses for specific projects and help us improve scheme administration processes.
These reviews consider:
- information and evidence provided in the projects’ offsets reports
- geospatial data
- our assessment of gateway checks
- reasonable assurance audit reports provided by independent auditors.
Previous review reports
- Independent review of gateway checks – August 2024
- Independent review of gateway checks – December 2023 [PDF 948KB]
Other independent reviews
- The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) reviewed the HIR and NFMR methods in 2019 and found them to meet the offset integrity standards after the forest cover attainment rule and associated processes were introduced.
- The ERAC commissioned an independent, peer-reviewed statistical analysis that found that HIR projects have a significant increase in vegetation when compared to similar land without a project.
- The 2022 Independent review of Australian carbon credit units found the HIR method is sound – it meets the offsets integrity standards and is administered by a robust regulatory framework.
- The Climate Change Authority’s review (December 2023) found the ACCU Scheme is fundamentally well designed.
- The Australian National Audit Office’s 2023–24 performance audit report found our administration of the ACCU Scheme is effective.