Industry raises alarm over carbon credit approval [AU]Friday 3 Jul 2026
AFPA Acting CEO Richard Hyett said the decision prioritised politics over science and would damage the public confidence and transparency of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme. “For more than 18 months, the sustainable forest products industry has consistently raised serious concerns that this new method does not meet the ACCU scheme’s own requirements for integrity, transparency or additionality,” Mr Hyett said. “It’s fair to say, I am gutted by this controversial decision.” Mr Hyett said the method would generate carbon credits without delivering genuine additional emissions reductions or abatement and was based on science that has been challenged by independent experts and government scientists. “There is a complete lack of transparency surrounding this proposal, as key modelling, technical analysis and supporting documentation had not been released for proper public scrutiny,” Mr Hyett said. “The method – developed by the Australian National University (ANU) – also fails to adequately account for issues such as bushfire risk, carbon leakage to overseas markets and the long-term financial liabilities it could create for taxpayers.” Mr Hyett warned the method could also flood the carbon market with low-integrity ACCUs, reducing confidence in legitimate carbon projects and weakening investment in genuine climate action. “This short-sighted decision risks undermining Australia’s sustainable multiple-use public production forests, which already deliver environmental, economic and climate benefits through active forest management,” Mr Hyett said. “The only apparent beneficiary of this method is the NSW Government, which wants someone else to pay to fund their election commitment to develop the Great Koala National Park.” “Australia’s carbon credit scheme was designed to encourage real carbon abatement and high-integrity environmental outcomes, and it’s important the scheme remains focused on delivering genuine emissions reductions rather than being used to retrospectively fund policy decisions.” Source: Australian Forest Products Association --- Further Reading: New native forest carbon method falls short and creates risks (Forestry Australia) Forestry Australia has raised concerns following the Australian Government’s approval of the Improved Native Forest Management in Multiple-use Public Native Forests Method, warning that the method creates risks that could undermine confidence in Australia’s carbon market. The method was approved by Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson and will help fund the New South Wales Great Koala National, by stopping native timber harvesting in multiple-use public native forests. Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman said the organisation is very supportive of high-integrity carbon crediting for native forests, but that the method as approved had significant problems. “Forestry Australia strongly supports the development of high-integrity carbon methods for native forests. Our concern is that this method, as approved, falls short in a number of areas, including additionality, leakage and low ability to generate carbon outcomes.” More >> Source: Forestry Australia  | ||
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