{"id":10444,"date":"2026-04-27T04:25:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T04:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/terrain.org.au\/?p=10444"},"modified":"2026-04-28T04:56:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T04:56:50","slug":"environmental-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/terrain.org.au\/environmental-markets\/","title":{"rendered":"Environmental Markets"},"content":{"rendered":"[mk_page_section bg_image=”https:\/\/terrain.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/website-banner-rainforest.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” enable_3d=”true” min_height=”500″ js_vertical_centered=”true” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” section_id=”donate” el_class=”donate-1″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”70px”][mk_fancy_title font_family=”none” align=”center”]ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_padding_divider size=”67″][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section section_id=”great-1″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1563789112768{padding-right: 36px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” el_class=”great_header_left”][mk_padding_divider size=”100″ visibility=”hidden-nb”][mk_padding_divider size=”15″ visibility=”visible-sm”][mk_padding_divider visibility=”visible-tl”][mk_fancy_title size=”28″ letter_spacing=”4″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” el_class=”terrain-title-2″]WHAT THEY ARE, WHY THEY MATTER AND WHERE THEY’RE HEADED[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_padding_divider size=”60″ visibility=”hidden-nb”][mk_padding_divider size=”20″ visibility=”visible-nb”][vc_column_text el_class=”sub-head” css=”.vc_custom_1777350430135{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]28 APRIL 2026[\/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”5″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777351447182{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Around the world, new environmental markets are emerging in response to an urgent challenge: how to rapidly accelerate investment into nature at the scale required to address climate change and biodiversity loss.<\/p>\n

These markets take many forms\u2014carbon, biodiversity, water and plastics\u2014but share a common purpose. They provide credible frameworks to quantify and verify measurable environmental improvements, which can then be purchased, connecting private capital with on ground outcomes.<\/p>\n

For investors, they represent an opportunity to support nature positive outcomes while responding to growing regulatory, reputational and market expectations.<\/p>\n

Why are they being developed?
\n<\/strong>
\nMost people are familiar with the climate crisis. Less widely recognised\u2014but equally important\u2014is the biodiversity crisis: the accelerating loss of plant and animal species and the degradation of ecosystems globally.<\/p>\n

This is not just an environmental issue. Biodiversity loss threatens food security, human health, social stability and economic prosperity. More than 50 per cent of global GDP is considered moderately or highly dependent on nature.<\/p>\n

These twin crises are interconnected and driven by human impacts on the natural world. Addressing them together is both possible and essential\u2014but it requires coordinated action from governments, businesses, communities and landholders, supported by substantial investment.<\/p>\n

Shifts in policy and significant increases in public environment funding are required to meet the scale and urgency of the challenge. However, financial input from the private and philanthropic sectors is also necessary to help bridge the significant funding gap. Environmental markets have emerged as one mechanism to help close this funding gap, by providing the framework to mobilise private capital into conservation, restoration and improved land management.<\/p>\n

The global policy context
\n<\/strong>
\nMomentum for nature positive investment has been strengthened by recent global policy developments.<\/p>\n

At the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022, 195 countries and the European Union adopted the Kunming\u2013Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. A central commitment of the agreement is the protection of 30 per cent of the world\u2019s land and water by 2030\u2014the \u201c30 by 30\u201d target.<\/p>\n

Delivering on these ambitious goals will require new financial mechanisms.<\/p>\n

Environmental markets, including emerging biodiversity credit markets, provide a mechanism to channel private investment into nature protection and restoration at scale.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s happening in Australia?
\n<\/strong>
\nFollowing the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework, Australia has moved to develop enabling policy settings and market infrastructure.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the Australian Government released its Nature Positive Plan and announced the establishment of a national Nature Repair Market. The market is designed to enable private investment in projects that deliver verified, measurable improvements in biodiversity outcomes, creating new opportunities for investors to engage in nature positive action.<\/p>\n

Alongside this national initiative, a range of state based and privately operated environmental markets continue to operate.<\/p>\n

In Queensland, for example, the Reef Credit Scheme supports improvements in water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. In New South Wales, Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements generate tradeable biodiversity credits under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme. A growing number of voluntary programs also exist, catering to diverse environmental outcomes and investor preferences.<\/p>\n

Within this evolving landscape, locally grounded, high integrity schemes play an important role in translating policy ambition into tangible outcomes on the ground.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1563789122720{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 34px !important;}” el_class=”great_header_right”][mk_padding_divider size=”206″ visibility=”hidden-sm”][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”hidden-sm”][mk_padding_divider size=”50″ visibility=”hidden-sm”][mk_padding_divider size=”5″][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LWsxo_XSbNs&t=7s”][mk_padding_divider size=”5″][mk_padding_divider size=”5″][mk_padding_divider size=”5″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1777351457050{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The Cassowary Credit Scheme: a regional response with global relevance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognising both the ecological significance of the Wet Tropics and the need for credible biodiversity investment, Terrain NRM began developing the Cassowary Credit Scheme in 2018.<\/p>\n

The scheme became operational in 2025. It provides a robust, science based framework for generating and quantifying biodiversity credits linked to forest restoration and habitat conservation in one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Cassowary Credits can also be stacked with carbon credits, recognising the contribution projects make to both climate and biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Designed in partnership with landholders, Traditional Owners, scientists and local stakeholders, the scheme reflects a practical, place based approach to environmental markets\u2014one that prioritises integrity, transparency and measurable results.<\/p>\n

Where are environmental markets at now?
\n<\/strong>
\nDespite rapid growth, environmental markets remain at an early stage of development.<\/p>\n

A wide range of approaches currently co exist, varying in methodologies, costs, delivery models and measures of environmental benefit.<\/p>\n

While this diversity can appear complex, it is a normal and necessary phase in market maturation. Over time, standards are expected to converge, methodologies will be refined, and investor confidence will continue to strengthen as track records are established.<\/p>\n

For early participants, this phase also presents an opportunity: to help shape credible markets while supporting high quality projects delivering real outcomes.<\/p>\n

Are environmental markets the solution?
\n<\/strong>
\nEnvironmental markets are not a silver bullet. They are one tool among many.<\/p>\n

When designed and implemented well, they have the potential to unlock new sources of funding, align private capital with public environmental goals and deliver measurable ecological and social benefits. But success depends on complementary action\u2014strong policy, rigorous governance and a focus on avoiding greenwashing.<\/p>\n

Investors and corporations have a critical role to play by redirecting capital away from nature negative activities and mobilising finance at scale into nature positive solutions. This must be underpinned by public policy that halts further biodiversity loss and drives large scale repair and restoration.<\/p>\n

Just as importantly, real change depends on the people and organisations delivering projects on the ground\u2014those restoring landscapes, working with communities and delivering outcomes over the long term.<\/p>\n

What does real change look like?
\n<\/strong>
\nIn Australia\u2019s Wet Tropics region, real change is already underway.<\/p>\n

The first Cassowary Credit projects are now registered. Trees have been planted, monitoring programs are in place and biodiversity credits are beginning to be generated. These projects support local communities and Traditional Owners while delivering verified outcomes for species, ecosystems and landscapes of global significance.<\/p>\n

By purchasing Cassowary Credits, organisations can directly support on ground action and play a meaningful role in the transition to a nature positive economy.<\/p>\n

To find out more, discuss participation in the scheme or the purchase of Cassowary Credits, please contact Bronwyn Robertson: bronwyn.robertson@terrain.org.au<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section el_class=”grean-btn-sec” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”47″ visibility=”hidden-sm”][mk_button dimension=”outline” url=”https:\/\/terrain.org.au\/what-we-do\/biodiversity\/cassowary-credit-scheme\/” align=”right” el_class=”green-btn” outline_skin=”custom” outline_active_color=”#175137″ outline_active_text_color=”#ffffff” outline_hover_bg_color=”#175137″ outline_hover_color=”#ffffff”]Read More[\/mk_button][mk_padding_divider size=”100″ visibility=”hidden-sm”][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section section_id=”great-1-blog” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”105″ visibility=”hidden-sm”][mk_fancy_title size=”28″ letter_spacing=”4″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right” el_class=”terrain-title”]RELATED NEWS[\/mk_fancy_title][mk_padding_divider visibility=”hidden-sm”][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” fullwidth_content=”false” id=”post_grid_filter_1″][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”grid_greate_3″ css=”.vc_custom_1743711375521{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

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