In a move that fulfills a key recommendation of an independent review, the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct will now be administered by a dedicated not-for-profit corporate entity, known as the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct Administrator Limited.
The voluntary industry Code of Conduct was introduced in 2018, and specifies best practice arrangements for carbon businesses when they deal with landowners and managers, including farmers and Traditional Owners.
Many of the carbon businesses that work with landowners and managers are signatories to it, and by signing up to the Code they pledge to maintain a high standard in all aspects of their dealings with carbon project hosts.
“The new arrangements will better meet the needs of both landowners that host carbon projects and carbon project developers,” said Samuel Dawes, the Code’s new CEO.
Previously, the Code was administered by the Carbon Market Institute (CMI). However, structural separation was recommended by an independent review of the Code, conducted last year.
The new company, which will be a subsidiary of the CMI, now has a separate constitution that specifies it is responsible for administering the Code.
Its new board consists of Dr Kerry Schott AO (Chair, CMI), Brad Kerin (General Manager, Asia-Pacific, WeAct) and Samuel Dawes.
The company’s principal objectives will include developing training and support to assist signatories to comply with Code requirements.
It will also assist the Code Panel that is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the Code, and arbitrating cases and appeals.
