Carbon Farming Industry Forum - Carbon Market Institute

2025 Prospectus

Date

6 - 8 May 2025
Location

Lennox Head, NSW

The 2025 event was held as a two-day conference preceded by a day of carbon project site visits in the Northern NSW Region, 6-8 May, Lennox Head.

The Carbon Farming Industry Forum is the key industry event convening stakeholders across the supply chain of Australia’s carbon market and carbon farming industry. The 9th Forum provided a unique platform to consider latest state and federal policy developments, and to progress actions in CMI’s Carbon Farming Industry Roadmap.

Registration has now closed.

Pre-program

Tuesday 6 May

Workshop and Field Trips

WORKSHOP: Carbon Farming Fundamentals Short Course for Landholders

(Delivered by NSW DPIRD)

A course for landholders to learn about on-farm carbon management with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development On-Farm Carbon Advice Team. This workshop is designed for farmers of extensive beef and sheep, dairy and mixed farming systems.

This workshop will introduce carbon farming concepts including:

terms and definitions
industry drivers and carbon markets
sources and sinks of on-farm greenhouse gas emissions
tools, calculators and how to estimate your on-farm emissions
current and future strategies to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration

Delivered by

Clare Edwards

CARBON for NATURE FIELD TRIPS

As a precursor to the main program, CMI is delighted to offer delegates the opportunity to visit local innovative projects combining carbon and nature outcomes on the 6 May.

Delegates will fuel up with a local pub lunch, before heading across to Forest Farm, a converted native forest plantation project registered under the ACCU Scheme. Delegates will take a guided walk with experts who will provide insights into the history of the site, and the expected environmental, social and economic outcomes from the project, including the application of an Accounting for Nature method to the site.

Delegates will then be transported to the second site, a Koala Friendly Carbon Project at Banyula Farms, utilising the Environmental Plantings ACCU method in tandem with an Accounting for Nature method. Enjoy afternoon tea and coffee from local businesses on site as you walk to the planting with expert insights from the landholders and the project delivery team.

*CMI reserves the right to make changes to the site visit itinerary

Day One

Wednesday 7 May

OPENING PLENARY: Carbon Farming Industry Stocktake & Outlook

Welcome to country, followed by an address on “Scaling Carbon, Nature and Investment” – Implementing a new Carbon Farming & Nature Roadmap for a prosperous, negative emissions, nature positive future.

Welcome to Country: Uncle Ricky Cook, Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council

Forum Welcome: John Connor, CEO, Carbon Market Institute – Join CMI’s CEO John Connor as he welcomes delegates to the 9th Carbon Farming Industry Forum, with an address that will consider the need for an Australian Carbon Market Strategy, the role of carbon crediting in supporting decarbonisation and setting goals for reversing deforestation, ecological restoration and carbon removal, as well as how we grow ‘carbon for nature’ opportunities.

PLENARY ONE: Optimising Policy Frameworks for Carbon and Nature Markets

An overview of the current state of play in Australia’s national carbon and nature repair markets, and Ag & Land sector net zero plans. This will include an in-depth look at current and potential legislative and administrative ACCU Scheme reforms, policy developments, combined national targets for carbon and nature, as well as the importance of interconnectivity in policy decisions.

Moderator

John Connor

David Parker AM

Jenny Merkley

Carbon Conversation: Setting the Vision “Scaling Carbon, Nature and Investment”

With a goal to find common ground to frame the future in a shared vision, this session will open with a series of short, overview presentations followed by a moderated Q&A to delve further into the details of how we can draw together existing market frameworks and relationships to scale carbon, nature and investment.

Moderator

Janet Hallows

Jo Sanson

Rachel Clarke

Suzanne Thompson

SESSION 1.1

High-Integrity Carbon for Nature Credit Generation

Positioning carbon farming investment to scale supply of high-integrity credits with better outcomes for nature is part of the answer to the twin climate and biodiversity crises. Explore enabling mechanisms such as landscape planning, co-benefit frameworks, new methods and supportive participation pathways for stakeholders, including Traditional Owners.

Moderator

Dr. Amanda Hansson

Tim Dellit

Shane Charles

Nerida Bradley

SESSION 1.2

Scaling Carbon for Nature Investment

Government regulation, and voluntary private sector action both have key roles to play in bridging the estimated USD600 billion funding gap for NbS. This workshop will take a closer look at demand drivers in Australia, the opportunities via different investment approaches and how the ACCU Scheme can be further leveraged for nature outcomes.

Moderator

Lauren Drake

Raphael Wood

Clare Chan

Megan Graham

SESSION 1.3

Sub-nationals Driving Social License, Planning & Investment

Sub-national governments across Australia are implementing policies to incentivise land-based abatement, both through supporting the development of ACCU Scheme as well as other initiatives to contribute to state climate and nature goals. This session will explore sub-national government schemes and their role in shaping market development, scaling positive land use and building social license.

Moderator

Gabriella Warden

Jennifer Hearn

Penny Croucamp

Peter Appleford

Tom Webster

TOWN HALL: Indigenous Carbon & Biodiversity – Opportunities & ‘Right Way, Wrong Way' Engagement

Join this important town hall session addressing how Indigenous market participants can go from being stakeholders to shareholders through their ownership, operation of, and involvement in carbon and nature projects. This panel will discuss core benefits, carbon opportunities, measures to overcome participation barriers, the importance of ‘right way’ engagement, and Free Prior and Informed Consent.

Moderator

Suzanne Thompson

Bruce Hammond

Leeton Lee

Leechelle Hammat

Keith Close

LUNCH BREAK

Lunch & Learn Method Development

Join industry experts working on two methods currently under development, for a lunch & learn session.

With presentations on:

Improved Avoided Clearing of Native Regrowth
Integrated Farm and Land Management
Reducing emissions through management of introduced hooved animals (ungulates)

Brett Kerr

Skye Glenday

Adam Townley

Jack Hill

PLENARY TWO: Integrating Carbon & Nature

As we build a net zero economy in Australia, and globally, there is a substantial opportunity to integrate the protection and restoration of nature. Climate change and nature loss, or damage are interconnected and, if addressed strategically will mitigate economic risks for Australian business and communities and catalyse an emerging source of economic advantage. This session will explore how decarbonisation initiatives, net zero sector plans and nature restoration goals can be leveraged to simultaneously deliver benefits for both the climate and natural environment.

Moderator

Radha Kuppalli

Justin Glass

Dr. Jody Gunn

Skye Glenday

Oliver Costello

SESSION 2.1

Addressing Land Sector Emissions whilst Scaling Drawdown & Building Natural Capital

Agriculture has the unique opportunity to make a substantial contribution to carbon sequestration while simultaneously addressing sectoral emissions and nature repair. This workshop will explore how ag and land sector systemic approaches can scale carbon sequestration and build natural capital while shoring up agricultural productivity and resilience.

Moderator

Hafiz Stewart

Sara Schmude

Michael Battaglia

Johann Theron

SESSION 2.2

Building the Business Case for Participation – Revenue & Co-benefits

The land and conservation sector are increasingly harnessing market-based mechanisms to drive landscape-scale restoration investment and carbon drawdown. Discuss the role of compliance drivers such as the Safeguard Mechanism, and voluntary action and disclosure that are spurring a new wave of public-private partnerships to foster land-based projects with strong co-benefit outcomes.

Helen Oakman

Helen Bryant

Andrew Morgan

Bram Mason

SESSION 2.3

Systemic Organisational Planning Towards a Net Zero & Nature Positive Economy

This workshop will explore how businesses can develop integrated plans to address climate and nature risks, and realise opportunities for their investors. Discussion will cover climate & nature risk, TCFD & TNFD, targeted investments and value chain action, as well as the role of policy in delivering clear, consistent signals to support business investment in projects, with confidence.

Moderator

Kurt Winter

Michaela Morris

Christopher Ewing

Mitchell Alderson

Carbon Conversation: Farmers on the Frontline

A fascinating conversation with farmers who are at the cutting edge of Australia’s emerging agricultural carbon and nature industry. This session will explore issues around agriculture and land sector decarbonisation and sustainability objectives, increasing market access requirements, building natural capital, productivity and climate resilience gains.

Moderator

Clare Edwards

Robert Quirk

Pippa Jones

Ross Foulkes-Taylor

Gray Pritchett

Carbon Conversation: Driving Best Practice

Explore how market architecture and regulation drive integrity and best practice in the ACCU Scheme. Join the final session of Day One for an insightful discussion of existing and evolving market architecture including compliance mechanisms, education and engagement initiatives.

Moderator

John Connor

Samuel Dawes

Dr. Karen Hussey

Carl Binning

Day Two

Thursday 8 May

Indigenous Address

Teddy Bernard

PLENARY THREE: Addressing Industry Carbon & Nature Roadblocks

The carbon and nature industries have developed in largely siloed policy landscapes, leaving certain roadblocks on the path to a fully integrated and scalable carbon and nature market. To open Day Two, we will look at the challenges that must be overcome to optimise the growth of a high integrity, diverse, and holistic carbon and nature market. This panel will provide insights on key areas including policy, data, technology and investment, as we consider how to find points of convergence as we scale carbon and nature solutions in Australia.

Moderator

Janet Hallows

Rachael Cavanagh

Greg Noonan

Warwick Ragg

Paul Kelley

SESSION 3.1

Addressing the Method Gap – new integrated methods

As we move towards intertwined carbon plus nature projects, we consider the role ACCU Scheme methods can play in supporting the implementation of more holistic projects. This workshop will take a look at new integrated methods (such as IFLM) as well as where the gaps and opportunities lie.

Jen Barwick

Warrick Jordan

Martino Malerba

SESSION 3.2

Building Expertise & Capacity

Land-based projects can deliver diverse social, economic and environmental benefits to regional communities, however if these communities are not included in the full planning process, there is a risk of adverse outcomes. Join this workshop for a deep dive into existing capacity building schemes that are addressing the carbon farming literacy gap to ensure that regional communities can equitably participate in land-based carbon and nature projects.

Moderator

Emily Tammes

Pippa Jones

Helen Slater

Anna Whitton

SESSION 3.3

Strengthening Integrity & Consent Arrangements

As Carbon Market 2.0 emerges, robust integrity and consent arrangements will be central to the success of any project. This workshop looks at how integrity & consent requirements are evolving and improving in the ACCU Scheme to support more resilient carbon and nature projects, higher transparency and accountability.

Moderator

Coby Foster

Dayana Flores

Dr. Phil Ireland

Brian Warner

TOWN HALL: Innovation and Integrity in Method Development

This unique town hall will provide the opportunity to discuss methods, both new and under development, as well as their implementation and commercialisation. This session will commence with a fireside chat with the ERAC Chair, before a panel of industry experts considers the challenges, solutions and opportunities for innovation and integrity in method development.

Moderator

John Connor

Dr. Karen Hussey

Adam Townley

Taniesha Martin

Jay van Rijn

TOWNHALL: Trading & Investor Room – Scaling up Through Financial Markets

As the ACCU Scheme has grown to encompass a broader array of voluntary and compliance-based private sector buyers, market infrastructure has developed in tandem. Join this plenary to look at the role of trading platforms, carbon ratings and insurance products, alongside institutional investment, in supporting the growth of the ACCU Scheme as a viable financial market. This session will consider how these tools can support nature-boosted projects to gain access to the capital necessary for their growth at scale.

Moderator

Melissa Cutler

Sarah Costello

Guy Dickinson

Chris Halliwell

Lunch & Learn: Virtual Site Visits

Grab a bite to eat and go on a virtual trip around Australia as we showcase nature-focused carbon projects.

Co-Moderator

Kelly Smith

Co-Moderator

Emily Tammes

John Lawson – Otway Silva Project

Marc Train – Crystalvale Carbon + Nature Project

Dayna Will

Brendon Grylls – Credo Station

Leechelle Hammat – Credo Station

PLENARY FOUR: Connecting Country, Community & Climate

This plenary will focus on key requirements to ensure the social license of carbon farming by connecting country, community and climate. Panellists will discuss the importance of systemic planning in the context of intense competition for land use, as well as trade-offs and the role carbon farming can play alongside agriculture, renewables, biofuels and biodiversity projects. Experts will consider the importance of innovation and how to ensure that regional communities are central to project design and outcomes, while benefits are shared fairly.

Moderator

Heather Campbell

Sarah Milne

Rachel Clarke

Terry McCosker

Victoria Perez Martinez

Brian Warner

SESSION 4.1

Roadmap Workshop: Integrating Carbon & Nature

In small working groups, participants will frame the barriers, opportunities, roles and responsibilities to carbon and nature projects under the thematic ‘connecting country, community and climate’, informing the 3rd iteration of the Carbon Farming Industry Roadmap. This workshop will see small groups responding to technical questions related to scaling carbon and nature projects, informing the Roadmap and future projects.

Co-Facilitator

Jen Barwick

Co-Facilitator

Janet Hallows

SESSION 4.2

Evolving precision & integrity in metrics and data

This workshop will map the evolution of technology, practices and their integration within the carbon industry. Panellists will showcase contemporary approaches to address 3 key issues, considered within the context of the Offsets Integrity Standards. Discussion will be centered around trade offs between measurement precision and costs, and the implications for integrated carbon and nature markets.

Moderator

John Connor

Cathy Waters

Greg Noonan

Keith Cook

CLOSING PLENARY: Land, Carbon and Australia’s NDC

Join the closing session of the Carbon Farming Industry Forum to discuss the outlook for land sector sequestration within Australia’s net zero pathway, as well as its Nature Positive priorities. This session will draw together key learnings from across the two days as we set out the key priorities for the next 12 months, as we embark on a Roadmap to 2050 and help develop a National Carbon Market Strategy.

John Connor

Richard Heath

Heather Campbell

Oliver Costello

Mitchell Alderson

Peter Appleford

Jen Barwick

Michael Battaglia

Teddy Bernard

Carl Binning

Anna Boustead

Nerida Bradley

Helen Bryant

Heather Campbell

Rachael Cavanagh

Clare Chan

Shane Charles

Rachel Clarke

Keith Close

John Connor

Keith Cook

Oliver Costello

Sarah Costello

Penny Croucamp

Melissa Cutler

Samuel Dawes

Tim Dellit

Guy Dickinson

Lauren Drake

Clare Edwards

Christopher Ewing

Dayana Flores

Coby Foster

Ross Foulkes-Taylor

Justin Glass

Skye Glenday

Megan Graham

Brendon Grylls

Dr. Jody Gunn

Chris Halliwell

Janet Hallows

Leechelle Hammat

Bruce Hammond

Dr. Amanda Hansson

Jennifer Hearn

Richard Heath

Jack Hill

Dr. Karen Hussey

Dr. Phil Ireland

Pippa Jones

Warrick Jordan

Paul Kelley

Brett Kerr

Radha Kuppalli

Leeton Lee

Martino Malerba

Taniesha Martin

Bram Mason

Jenny Merkley

Terry McCosker

Sarah Milne

Andrew Morgan

Michaela Morris

Greg Noonan

Helen Oakman

Victoria Perez Martinez

David Parker AM

Gray Pritchett

Robert Quirk

Warwick Ragg

Jo Sanson

Sara Schmude

Helen Slater

Hafiz Stewart

Emily Tammes

Johann Theron

Suzanne Thompson

Adam Townley

Marc Train

Jay van Rijn

Gabriella Warden

Brian Warner

Cathy Waters

Tom Webster

Anna Whitton

Dayna Will

Kurt Winter

Raphael Wood

Host

Partner

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Supporter

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