What is Environmental Planting (EP)?

Environmental Planting (EP) is a vegetation-based carbon method that allows landholders to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) by restoring native flora on cleared land ^[1]. EP projects involve the planting and maintenance of native and local plant species that represent various growth forms such as trees, shrubs and understory plants (hereafter referred to as biodiverse plantings). The method is administered by the Clean Energy Regulator, with detailed eligibility and compliance requirements outlined in legislation ^[2].

Why are EP carbon projects important?

EP carbon projects provide landholders the opportunity to diversify revenue streams by integrating an alternative land use into existing land management practices. Historically, EP carbon projects generate high quality ACCUs that are often valued more highly than credits generated from other carbon methods due to the “co-benefits” associated with the plantings.

EP biodiverse plantings bring additional socio-economic and environmental benefits. These include, but are not limited to, creating economic opportunities for regional communities, establishing pathways for engagement and business opportunities for local First Nations groups, improving local biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services, and strengthening landscape resilience.

Habitat loss is the primary driver of biodiversity decline in Australia. Implementing EP carbon projects offers a scalable solution to restore biodiversity on private lands. These projects can help mitigate the impacts of habitat loss while facilitating the recovery of critical ecosystems.

[1] Areas designated for planting under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee planting method must not have had forest cover within the past 5 years. Furthermore, all CER carbon projects that involve establishing vegetation on land require that there must not have been clearing of any native forest within the 7 years of lodging the application (5 years if the land has changed ownership since the clearing). grovia’s initial assessment flags the likelihood that a property may encounter issues with eligibility if the project was to progress. grovia recommends that a site visit and further investigation is required to ground-truth these results.

[2] Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings - FullCAM) Methodology Determination 2024), Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (the CFI Act), Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015.