The Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct Administrator has published its 2025–26 Annual Report, highlighting a year of strengthened independent governance, continued Code reform and a more proactive approach to compliance and assurance across Australia’s carbon market.
A key milestone during the year was the establishment of the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct Administrator Limited as a dedicated, independent not-for-profit organisation in July 2025. The new structure strengthens the governance, operational and financial arrangements supporting administration of the Code, while maintaining an appropriate relationship with the Carbon Market Institute.
The year also saw significant progress towards Version 3.0 of the Code, incorporating recommendations from the Independent Review and feedback from Signatories, landholders and other stakeholders. The reforms strengthen expectations around compliance monitoring, stakeholder engagement and culturally appropriate engagement with First Nations communities.
The Code Administrator also continued to strengthen its risk-based compliance and assurance approach, using compliance findings, complaints and stakeholder feedback to identify areas for improvement and support Signatories in meeting Code expectations.
Code Administrator CEO Samuel Dawes said:
“The 2025–26 Annual Report reflects an important period of development for the Code. The establishment of an independent Code Administrator provides a stronger foundation for transparency, accountability and effective oversight as the carbon market continues to mature.”
“Our compliance review found that core practices are well established across the Signatory base, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen the consistency, formalisation and evidence of existing practices. Our focus is on working constructively with Signatories to support continuous improvement and maintain confidence in the integrity of the market.”
Key highlights from the 2025–26 Annual Report include:
- 92% fully compliant: 92% of Signatories were assessed as fully compliant, with a further 8% assessed as materially compliant. The Administrator provided advice to relevant Signatories on required rectifications.
- 40 Signatories: The Code continues to provide a voluntary framework for responsible participation across Australia’s land-based carbon market.
- 63% market coverage: Signatories cover approximately 63% of land-based ACCU projects registered since 2018.
- Stronger independent governance: The dedicated Code Administrator was established in July 2025, supported by an independent Board and Independent Code Review Panel.
- Version 3.0 reform: Code reforms progressed through consultation with Signatories, landholders, First Nations stakeholders and other market participants.
- Stakeholder engagement: 63% of Signatories reported engaging with Native Title Holders or other Indigenous stakeholders, including through early consultation, consent-seeking, co-design and ongoing participation.
The Annual Report also identifies opportunities to strengthen governance, project management, commercial interest disclosures, stakeholder consultation and consent practices, as well as the formalisation and evidence of existing processes.
Priorities for 2026–27 include:
- Finalising and implementing Version 3.0 of the Code.
- Continuing to strengthen risk-based compliance monitoring and assurance.
- Supporting Signatories to embed Code requirements into governance and project delivery.
- Strengthening engagement with landholders, First Nations communities, governments and other market stakeholders.
- Continuing to build transparency and confidence in the Code’s role as the carbon market evolves.
As expectations around integrity, transparency and assurance continue to increase, the Code Administrator will continue to focus on supporting credible governance and responsible practices across the carbon industry.
The Code Administrator 2025–26 Annual Report is available on the Code Administrator’s website.
To enquire about the Code or become a Signatory, visit https://carbonmarketinstitute.org/code/signatories/becoming-a-signatory/ or send an email to code.administrator@carbonmarketinstitute.org
About the ACI Code of Conduct
The Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct is a voluntary industry code established in 2018. It provides a framework for best-practice conduct, transparency and consumer protection across Australia’s carbon market. The Code supports Signatories to demonstrate responsible practices in areas including project development, stakeholder engagement, compliance and client relationships.
