2025 has begun with dark impacts and shadows from President Trump and Associates. There are additional uncertainties with the looming Federal Election – see below for our policy priorities out today.
I’m old enough to have been through numerous waves of achievement and setbacks but the arc of history, economics and commerce keeps returning to the realities of climate physics and ecosystem health. One shouldn’t be naïve about the profound challenges amongst latest setbacks but there are key tests in this year for countries, corporates and citizens in 2025, the response to which will be long remembered
CMI remains committed to its vision of a prosperous, negative emissions, nature positive world. We will be continuing to explore how our climate policy suite, including the Safeguard Mechanism, can be deepened and broadened to support accelerating investment in climate solutions. We will be looking to upgrade our Carbon Farming Industry Roadmap to integrate recent research into linkages with social, Indigenous and nature improvements. We will continue to support members in the transition to net zero emissions and implementing improvements to the Carbon Industry Code of Conduct. In 2024 the value of Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) traded exceeded $1 billion for the first time and this year we will continue to work on improvements to methods and integrity frameworks to support strengthening investor and community confidence.
CMI will also continue to support members in the transition to net zero emissions and implementing improvements to the Carbon Industry Code of Conduct. In 2024 the value of Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) traded exceeded $1 billion for the first time and this year we will continue to work on improvements to methods and integrity frameworks to support strengthening investor and community confidence.
Federal Election and 2025 Budget Priorities
CMI has just released our election priorities and finalised our budget submission.
The CMI policy brief outlines six key steps:
- Lodge a 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce Australia’s emissions by more than 70 percent based on 2005 levels, with corresponding targets for adaptation in alignment with Paris goals.
- Broaden and deepen Australia’s climate policy suite across the economy, including the Safeguard Mechanism, to support the high-ambition NDC, informed by a national carbon market strategy.
- Strengthen investment and community confidence in Australia’s carbon crediting framework to accelerate scaled climate solutions through appropriate reform, governance and resourcing.
- Retain and strengthen the government-backed Climate Active certification program to align with best practice net zero guidance and standards and provide voluntary net zero pathways.
- Guide alignment of Australia’s interconnected Net Zero and Nature Positive goals.
- Articulate a strategy for the integration of carbon markets and international cooperation in Australia’s diplomatic, trade and foreign aid agenda.
I want to recognise the efforts of CMI Board, team and members in achievements made last year, many of these are highlighted in CMI’s 2024 Impact Report.
Look forward to working with you all on the tests of 2025.
Regards
John
Carbon Conversation webinar
Join CMI and NRM Regions for the launch of their joint Carbon and Nature report on 14 February from 11AM-12PM AEDT. The webinar will provide an overview of the report and a stocktake of how carbon farming investments can be leveraged to provide better outcomes for nature as part of the answer to the twin climate and biodiversity crises. Presenters will explore the report findings and considerations proposed for different stakeholder groups to ensure greater investor certainty and support social license for carbon for nature projects.
The report calls for a national carbon market strategy alongside an integrated carbon and nature roadmap to maximise alignment – to set a refreshed vision, address barriers and leverage opportunities whilst identifying actions required by the various actors across the carbon farming and nature repair supply chain.
2025 Event Dates
We have now locked in our major event dates for 2025, please mark the dates:
- 6-8 May – Carbon Farming Industry Forum, Lennox Head NSW
- 13-14 August – Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit, Centrepiece Melbourne
- 15-16 October – Carbon Market & Investor Forum, Singapore
Program development is underway for the Carbon Farming Industry Forum in Lennox Head, NSW. The theme of the Forum is Scaling Carbon, Nature and Investment. Site visits will be offered on 6 May, with conference scheduled for 7-8 May. Registration is now open.
Prospectuses for potential partnerships and exhibition booths are available for the Carbon Farming Industry Forum and the Australasian Emission Reduction Summit. Please take a look and contact Claire.reid@carbonmarketinstitute.org to discuss your requirements.
External Events
Catch CMI speakers at these events:
The Navigating the Safeguard Mechanism: Proactive Strategies for Compliance and ACCU Procurement webinar will be held tomorrow (4 February) from 4PM AEDT. CMI’s Director of Corporate Transition, Kurt Winter is joining organiser, STRIVE by STX for this insightful webinar to explore policy developments and trends and inform proactive decarbonisation proactive strategies for securing ACCUs, managing financial risks, and to effectively manage carbon exposure. achieving compliance success.
More information is available here.
CMI CEO John Connor will join a panel discussion on the state of play of Australian carbon policy at ICIN’s 2025 North Australia Savanna Fire Forum – Delivering results for people and planet held from 18-20 February 2025 in Darwin Convention Centre, Larrakia Country.
This important annual event facilitates knowledge sharing and improved understanding and practice within the growing, successful and important Indigenous carbon industry.
More information here.
