Australia proposes native forest management ACCU method

Market: Emissions
04/12/25

Australia's carbon market statutory body the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (Erac) has today released a proposal for a new carbon crediting method to enhance native forest management.

The proposed Improved Native Forest Management in Multiple-use Public Native Forests (INFM) method aims to abate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mitigating or reducing harvesting in multiple-use native public forests. Projects registered under the proposed method can generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), if approved.

The government proposes at least a 20pc reduction in harvesting relative to baseline levels for INFM projects to receive ACCUs. Projects may have to cover a minimum of one entire forest region to reduce the risk of "carbon leakage" caused by harvesting from another area.

Projects under the proposed methodology would have a reduced crediting period of 15 years, compared to the typical 25-year period for other land-based approaches. INFM projects would be required to ensure a 100-year permanence period to ensure long-term carbon sequestration.

Stakeholder consultation on the proposed method will open from 2 January 2026 and will conclude on 30 January 2026.

The INFM method is one the four new carbon crediting project methodologies proposed outside of government and prioritised for the ACCU scheme in October 2024 under a proponent-led model.

The Australian carbon credit industry has been focusing on boosting future issuances to address an expected shift in the supply-demand balance within a few years. This has prompted the authorities to prioritise method approvals.

By Shribalaji Shenbagaraj

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