The Code

In the first instance, Signatories must provide clients with a copy of this fact sheet and of the Signatory’s own complaints handling procedure document(s). Clients may include project stakeholders such as Native Title Holders, representative bodies, land owners, land managers and project owners.

Other obligations which Signatories must meet are stipulated in the Code of Conduct (Version 2.0), available on the Code of Conduct website.

If you have a concern or would like to make a complaint about the business practices of a Signatory, you are encouraged to raise the issue with the Signatory organisation directly in the first instance. Signatories are required to then acknowledge that they have received your complaint, and provide an expected timeframe for resolution of the complaint.

In the event that you are not able to raise the complaint directly with the Signatory,, or if your complaint has not been actioned or acknowledged, you may contact the Administrator directly (code.administrator@carbonmarketinstitute.org) to notify us of this issue, and/or submit a complaint through the complaints form on the Code of Conduct website.

You are also encouraged to raise the complaint with the relevant consumer protection organisation or scheme regulator (see Appendix 1, section 5 of the Code).   In this case, you should notify the Administrator that you have done so, if it is relevant to the Code of Conduct.

All Signatories to the Code a listed on the Carbon Industry Code of Conduct website which is updated on a regular basis. These Signatories have agreed to meet the minimum requirements for operating in the carbon industry, as set out in the Code, including during pre-project activities, ongoing project management, documentation and general business practices. If you are unsure of whether an organisation is covered by the Code or believe an organisation has made misleading claims about their Signatory status, please contact the Code Administrator: code.administrator@carbonmarketinstitute.org

Carbon service providers (project developers, agents, aggregators and advisers) undertaking carbon offsets projects, including under the ERF and other Voluntary Offset Schemes, are encouraged to become a Signatory to the Code. Signatories to the Code are committed to developing and conducting their business in line with industry best practice and interacting with their clients and other stakeholders in a professional and ethical manner.

The Signatory application form is available on the Code website. All applications must be submitted to the Code Administrator for assessment. Successful applicants will receive their unique Signatory identification number  and relevant information about the Code, including the brand mark which can be used to demonstrate your support and commitment to the future of the carbon industry.

Signatories to the Code are listed on CMI’s Carbon Industry Code of Conduct website and demonstrate to the industry that they are committed to developing and operating in an industry that is built on community trust, transparency, accountability, social and environmental integrity, and are in compliance with the law. Signatories are entitled to use the Carbon Industry Code of Conduct brand mark; a public recognition of leadership and integrity that distinguishes the organisation in the marketplace.

No. The Carbon Industry Code of Conduct is a voluntary Code which aims to promote market integrity, consumer protection and appropriate interaction with project stakeholders.

Becoming a Signatory to the Code means you are demonstrating to the carbon industry that you are committed to developing and operating in an industry that is built on community trust, transparency, accountability, social and environmental integrity, and is in compliance with the law.

Yes. The Carbon Industry Code of Conduct applies to industry participants involved in carbon offsets projects. This may include organisations acting as project agents, aggregators, proponents, or providing other services such as advisory or legal services. It applies to projects that exist in Australia, under the ERF scheme as well as other including under Voluntary Offset Schemes such as Gold Standard and Verra.