Terrain NRM developed the Cassowary Credit Scheme, a nature positive biodiversity market program, to pay landholders to protect and restore rainforest habitat. It has been designed to deliver both improved environmental and social outcomes after extensive consultation with range of stakeholders including scientists and conservationists, Councils, Traditional Owners and landholders.
Formally approved for independent administration by Eco-Markets Australia 2025, the Clean Energy Regulator has also endorsed Cassowary Credits for stacking with environmental planting projects in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme. This is the first time in Australia that stacking across credit markets has been formally enabled and embedded into program design. It recognises the multiple benefits Cassowary Credit projects can deliver, while ensuring strong safeguards to maintain integrity and prevent double-counting.
The first on-ground works to start under the Scheme are being undertaken by Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation and there are several more in the pipeline.
The Cassowary Credit Scheme project has been supported by the Queensland Government’s Land Restoration Fund and World Wildlife Fund.
