Environmental Planting Method Eligibility

The Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings FullCAM Method 2024 imposes additional, method-specific eligibility requirements that work alongside the general ACCU scheme rules.

Method specific eligibility requirements

In Lieu of Newness

Alternative Assurance for Low Risk Projects

ACCU Scheme and Nature Repair Market Scheme

Method specific eligibility requirements

1. Run in an area of Australia where Full Carbon Accounting Model (FullCAM) modelling data exists

FullCAM is the Australian Government's scientific tool for calculating carbon stock changes in forests and other vegetation. Without available FullCAM calibrations for a particular location, accurate carbon accounting cannot be performed.

2. Be in an area that has been clear of forest cover for at least 5 years before application

The project area must have been clear of forest cover for at least five years before the application is submitted. This requirement ensures that projects represent genuine reforestation rather than merely allowing natural regeneration of recently cleared land.

3. Cover at least 0.2 hectares

This minimum area threshold ensures projects are of sufficient scale to generate meaningful carbon sequestration while remaining accessible to smaller landholders.

4. Establish trees that have 'forest' potential

Trees established on the project land must have the potential to attain two critical thresholds:

• height of at least 2 metres
• crown cover of at least 20% over the total area of the strata where project trees are located.

These criteria align with Australia's definition of forest and ensure that plantings will develop into carbon-storing vegetation communities rather than remaining as scattered shrubs or isolated trees.

5. Use specific planting configurations with density requirements

The specified density requirements ensure adequate carbon sequestration while recognising that different planting types have different spatial arrangements and purposes.

• Belt plantings require a minimum density of 800 stems per hectare
• Block plantings require a minimum density of 200 stems per hectare

6. Specific exclusions and restrictions

• Projects cannot plant on roads, buildings, or dams, as these areas are unsuitable for forest establishment and carbon accounting.
• Land that contains woody biomass or invasive native scrub species requiring clearing is excluded, except where clearing of known weed species is required or authorised by law. This prevents projects from being used as a mechanism to clear existing vegetation.
• Certain activities such as harvesting and grazing are limited but not prohibited, allowing for some productive use of the land while maintaining carbon sequestration outcomes.
• Up to 20% of seeds may be harvested annually for personal or commercial use, provided this doesn't impact forest potential, forest cover, or biodiversity values. This provision balances commercial opportunities with environmental integrity.

7. Carbon stored in project trees must be maintained for 25 years

All projects under the environmental plantings method are subject to permanence obligations. This means the carbon stored in project trees must be maintained for the duration of the permanence period (typically 25 years for sequestration projects). If carbon stocks are reduced due to events such as fire, drought, or deliberate clearing, the project proponent may be required to relinquish previously issued ACCUs.

In Lieu of Newness

Although the general ACCU scheme requirements state that activities can not commence before application, the EP method specifies the ‘in lieu of newness' provision. This allows certain preparatory activities to begin as soon as an application has been submitted, including

• preparing land for planting
• purchasing seeds or seedlings
• undertaking planting activities.

This practical modification acknowledges the seasonal nature of planting activities while maintaining the scheme's integrity.

Alternative Assurance for Low-Risk Projects

ACCU scheme projects are typically required to undergo one initial audit and subsequent audits based on scale in order to maintain scheme integrity. 

As per the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Instrument 2025, a recent amendment provided for a new category of alternative assurance projects which may be subject to fewer or no scheduled audits (as per the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Audit Thresholds) Instrument 2025 here). This adjustment recognises that smaller-scale projects by direct landholders pose lower integrity risks. The reduced administrative burden for participants  should help reduce the barrier to participating in the ACCU Scheme for smaller-scale projects.

A project can qualify for zero scheduled audits (and no conditions related to operation, monitoring or reporting have to be met) if it meets all four of the following conditions:

1. Land Tenure: The person running the project must be the owner, leaseholder, or native title holder for the entire project area.
2. Size Limit: The project's total carbon planting area must be no more than 200 hectares.
3. Planting Type: It must be a mixed-species block planting.
4. Monitoring: The Clean Energy Regulator must be able to monitor the project using geospatial tools, like satellite mapping.

Dual Participation: ACCU Scheme and Nature Repair Market Scheme

An important recent development is the potential for projects to satisfy requirements under both the ACCU Scheme and the Nature Repair Market scheme, which awards biodiversity certificates for environmental outcomes beyond carbon sequestration.

The Replanting Native Forest and Woodland Ecosystems method establishes comprehensive requirements for biodiversity projects focused on ecological restoration in modified landscapes. Key distinguishing features include:

1. Ecological integrity focus: Requirements centered on achieving reference ecosystem conditions rather than just carbon storage
2. Scientific rigor: Use of NBAS and prescribed ecosystem models to measure biodiversity outcomes
3. Cultural respect: Mandatory Indigenous engagement where land interests exist
4. Larger scale: Minimum 5-hectare total activity area promotes landscape-scale restoration
5. Dual market opportunity: Explicitly designed to allow stacking with ACCU carbon projects.

These requirements reflect the Nature Repair Market's objective to deliver measurable biodiversity improvements through scientifically robust, culturally appropriate, and ecologically sound restoration practices.

To satisfy both frameworks will require careful planning and adherence to requirements regarding activities and documentation. 

Read more here on the method eligibility requirements from the Clean Energy Regulator.