Carbon Conversations 2025

Our Carbon Conversations series commenced on Friday February 23, with insights from the Clean Energy Regulator and ASX on the Australian Carbon Exchange, as well as from Technology Solutions provider Trovio on its new Unit & Certificate Register. We explored the developments of these systems and the implications for market trading and investment. Watch the recording of this webinar below.

With opening remarks from:

• John Connor, CEO, CMI
• David Parker, Chair, CER
• Jane Wardlaw, General Manager, CER

and panel discussion with:

• Mark Williamson, Executive General Manager, CER
• Karen Webb, Senior Manager, Issuer Services, ASX
• Jon Deane, Managing Director & CEO, Trovio
• Kurt Winter, Director, Corporate Transition, CMI

On Friday 22 March CMI held a Carbon Conversation to publicly launch our Example Contract Clauses. The Clauses were developed following the identification of significant variability, inconsistency and complexity in third-party contract agreements used by financial institutions interacting with the carbon market.

With speakers:

• Janet Hallows, Director, Climate Programs & Nature-Based Climate Solutions
• Elisa de Wit, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
• Elle McIntosh, Senior Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright
• Samuel Dawes, Director, Integrity and Compliance, ACI Code of Conduct

Following the success of our inaugural NAIDOC Week Carbon Conversation, CMI proudly presented our second NAIDOC Week Carbon Conversation on Thursday 11 July, centered around the 2024 theme of “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.” In this session we explored how Indigenous groups are re-engaging with traditional fire to promote healthy Country, while also looking more broadly at what constitutes “right way” engagement, and how we can best support Indigenous communities to move from being stakeholders, to shareholders.

With speakers:

• Simone Kenmore, Executive Manager, Indigenous Business Banking, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Suzanne Thompson, Managing Director, Yumbangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage & Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation | Director, Indigenous Carbon Industry Network | First Nations Chair, Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee
• Shilo Villaflor, Community Engagement Specialist

Following the AER Summit, CMI hosted a thought-provoking Carbon Conversation featuring Kurt Winter, Director of Corporate Transition at CMI, and Shana Gallagher, Net Zero Engagement Manager at British Standards Institution (BSI).

In this discussion, Kurt and Shana explored the challenges and opportunities businesses face in aligning with credible net zero strategies. They delved into the role of the ISO Net Zero Guidelines in harmonizing fragmented frameworks, tackling greenwashing, and empowering organizations to take meaningful climate action.

This Carbon Conversation built on the themes discussed at the AER Summit, offering practical insights for businesses navigating the complexities of corporate net zero governance and the path to a sustainable future.

CMI and NRM Regions Australia hosted a webinar to mark the launch of our joint Carbon for Nature report. The session provided an overview of the report’s findings and took stock of how carbon farming investments can be leveraged to deliver better outcomes for nature as part of the response to the twin climate and biodiversity crises.

Presenters explored key insights and considerations for different stakeholder groups to enhance investor confidence and strengthen the social license for carbon for nature projects. The discussion also highlighted the report’s call for a national carbon market strategy and an integrated carbon and nature roadmap, aiming to align policy, address barriers, and leverage opportunities across the carbon farming and nature repair supply chain.

Presenters: 

• Dr. John Binda Reid, Project Coordinator, Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation
• Tanya Pritchard, Landscape Restoration and Protection, WWF
• Dr. Kate Andrews, CEO, NRM Regions Australia
• John Connor, CEO, CMI

Moderators:

• Janet Hallows, Director, Climate Programs & Nature-Based Climate Solutions, CMI
• Rachel Clarke, Knowledge Broker Carbon Farming and Environmental Markets, NRM Regions Australia

CMI’s Election Priorities policy document formed the basis of our Carbon Conversation on 28 March from 12pm – 1pm (AEDT).

With a federal election announcement imminent, CMI called on all political parties to put forward comprehensive climate policy proposals that will support business certainty and ensure Australia plays its part to limit dangerous global heating in line with the Paris Agreement.

Presenters include:

• Alison Reeve, Energy and Climate Change Deputy Program Director, Grattan Institute
• Warrick Jordan Policy Specialist, Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation
• Raphael Wood, Co-Managing Director, Silva Capital & Board Director, CMI
• John Connor, CEO, CMI (Moderator)

CMI and Westpac released its Carbon Market Report 2025 and included a Carbon Conversation webinar on 11 April, including Q&A for participants.

The 2025 CMI-Westpac Carbon Market Report, ‘Evolving markets, emerging solutions’ forms part of the CMI’s ongoing research initiative. This report is the second in the annual series that examines how Australia’s carbon market is evolving, with the latest insights from a range of experts, including decarbonisation researchers, nature specialists, corporate lawyers, carbon market participants, financial market specialists, technology and decarbonisation advisors.  

Presenters included: 

• Ilona Millar, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin & Board Director, CMI
• Marnie Telfer, Director – Nature (Australia), Anthesis 
• Bret Harper, Head of Research, RepuTex Energy 
• Danielle de la Cour, Regional Senior Manager, Climate Projects Australia, South Pole
• Kurt Winter, Director Corporate Transition, CMI (Moderator)