On May 21, 2025, AST Clean issued additional comments regarding implementation, stating it has begun publishing more information on the ACCU scheme project register.
AST Clean highlighted that this is a welcome change that improves transparency and shows how the ACCU scheme works to accelerate carbon abatement for Australia.
The additional data published on May 21, 2025 includes crediting period start and end dates for all projects, permanence period start dates for all sequestration projects; will continue to issue remaining project data in stages over next 2 months (up to Jul. 21).
On Sep. 16, AST DCCEEW proposed rules re carbon data transparency.
In 2022, AST GVT appointed an independent panel to review the integrity of ACCUs under Australia’s carbon crediting framework; the review recommended several changes to clarify governance, improve transparency, enhance confidence re integrity.
It recommended amending provisions in the legislation to maximize transparency, data access, data sharing, while enabling protection of privacy, commercial-in-confidence information, for greater public trust in scheme arrangements (recommendation 4).
On Aug. 25, 2023, the. AST DCCEEW released a discussion paper, outlining options for implementing several of the review’s recommendations, as discussed in #183009.
The amendment rule is informed by feedback received during this public consultation.
Proposal
AST Clean shall publish additional ACCU scheme project data and information on the AST Clean's website, including improved description or alternatively detail of project activities for all projects under all methods, type of estimation approach used.
Plus, description of any suppression mechanisms identified, removals of suppressors re the project, project crediting period start, end dates, project permanence start date.
Start date for the chosen tool or modelling approach used to calculate abatement for each carbon estimation area (CEA) of a project, published link in the project register to any enforceable undertakings, names of all agents involved in project’s management.
Specifies two exemptions to publishing the information above, including withholding the information is required to protect or respect Aboriginal tradition, or publication may threaten, damage or cause harm to a threatened ecological community/species.
Consultation End
AST DCCEEW to host an information session on Sep. 26, 2024; registration is required.
AST Clean has a transition period of 6 months to implement publication requirements.
Feb. 2025 Implementation
On Feb. 3, 2025, AST Clean published transparency changes for the ACCU scheme.
AST Clean will transition the project register to publish the new information in the next six months' time; these updates will be completed by Jun. 20, 2025.
It will work with participants to confirm the data to be published on project register.
May 2025 Additional Comments on Implementation
On May 21, 2025, AST Clean issued additional comments regarding implementation, stating it has begun publishing more information on the ACCU scheme project register.
AST Clean highlighted that this is a welcome change that improves transparency and shows how the ACCU scheme works to accelerate carbon abatement for Australia.
The additional data published on May 21, 2025 includes crediting period start and end dates for all projects, permanence period start dates for all sequestration projects; will continue to issue remaining project data in stages over next 2 months (up to Jul. 21).
