Under Maree’s leadership, Eco-Markets Australia expanded its national and international profile, doubling the number of approved methodologies under the Reef Credit Scheme, preventing more than 60,000 kilograms of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from reaching the Great Barrier Reef, and launching Cassowary Credits, the country’s first biodiversity credit market focused on rainforest restoration.

Reflecting on her time with the organisation, Maree said:

“I am departing full of admiration and respect for everyone in this business of change-making for good. Building trust in novel markets takes patience and persistence, but every step forward has been worth it.

We’ve forged a pioneering path, supporting landholders, introducing Australia’s first stacked carbon and biodiversity credit project, and laying the groundwork for a nationally expanded water quality market and evolved our trusted brand to differentiate our high-integrity credits.

I couldn’t be prouder of our team, and I leave confident that Eco-Markets Australia is primed to make a significant contribution to nature positive solutions in the future.”

Eco-Markets Australia Chair, Wilfred Finn, thanked Maree for her exceptional service and welcomed Goslik to the role.

“Maree’s vision and leadership have built strong foundations that we are proud to continue. Goslik brings fresh strategic thinking, deep commercial expertise, and a passion for growth. We are confident this transition will accelerate our mission to support high-integrity markets that deliver real environmental outcomes.”

Incoming CEO Dr Goslik Schepers brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across high-growth, science-led ventures. With a deep background and passion for science combined with a track record in commercialising health and technology businesses, Goslik returns to the environmental sector with a clear ambition, to scale Eco-Markets Australia’s impact and position it as the benchmark in nature markets.

“I’m proud and excited to be given the opportunity to lead Eco-Markets Australia into the next phase of growth. The company is well placed to expand its leadership position in environmental markets” Dr Schepers said.

“Our goal is to give the market confidence in high-quality, measurable nature outcomes where they can invest with confidence. We will continue to grow our markets, maintaining our recognised quality and credibility to scale impact both nationally and internationally.”

Dr Schepers sees the role of Eco-Markets Australia not only as a trusted market administrator, but as a strategic enabler of investment in nature.

“The appetite for nature credits is growing in response to the global need for scalable solutions to the environmental crisis. Eco-Markets provide choice for the private sector to turn ambition into action, providing clear, credible pathways to invest in restoration, repair and resilience.”

As Eco-Markets Australia looks ahead, the focus remains clear: ensuring transparency, trust and measurable outcomes in every credit issued.

The post Eco-Markets Australia Welcomes New CEO Goslik Schepers as Maree Adshead Concludes Transformational Tenure appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

Registered by Project Proponent Cassowary Coast Regional Council, the project is located on council-owned land at Ninds Creek in East Innisfail, adjacent to Moresby Range National Park. The site, previously cleared for cattle grazing, will now be restored to native rainforest through the Cassowary Credits Rainforest Replanting Methodology. 

This inaugural project marks a significant milestone not only for the Cassowary Credits Scheme but for environmental markets in Australia. It is the first known example of a biodiversity credit project being ‘stacked’ with an Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) project on the same parcel of land, creating an innovative opportunity for landholders to access diversified income streams from environmental outcomes. 

Eco-Markets Australia and Terrain NRM have worked closely with the Clean Energy Regulator to ensure that the project meets the eligibility and additionality requirements of both the Cassowary Credits Scheme and the ACCU framework. This safeguards the integrity of the environmental benefits and avoids double counting, while enabling project proponents to sell credits as bundled or separate products, or retain one credit type to meet internal sustainability goals. 

The project is a collaborative effort supported by Mamu Aboriginal Corporation and Innisfail State College, maximising co-benefits for biodiversity, climate, and the local community. Terrain NRM, developer of the Cassowary Credits Scheme, has supported planning and on-ground implementation to ensure alignment with the approved methodology. 

The project is now publicly visible on the Eco-Markets Australia Cassowary Credits Registry

Maree Adhead, CEO, Eco-Markets Australia comments:  

“To have the first Cassowary Credits project registered just days after the market’s launch is a testament to the commitment of everyone involved, and to the strength of this new biodiversity market. 

This project has successfully progressed through our rigorous application process and is now eligible to generate credits according to the milestones set out in the Rainforest Replanting Methodology. Issuance, transfer, and retirement of credits will all be tracked transparently on the Eco-Markets Australia public registry. 

The fact that this first project also involves stacking biodiversity and carbon credits on the same land parcel is particularly exciting. It demonstrates how these markets can work in tandem to reward the vital stewardship work carried out by landholders. This could be a turning point in how environmental markets operate in Australia.” 

Councillor Jeff Baines, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Reef Guardian Representative, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, said: 

“It is a fantastic opportunity for Council to lead the way in the growing environmental market, particularly through Cassowary Credits, which are uniquely tailored to the Wet Tropics bioregion. 

This first registered project, delivered by Council at Ninds Creek, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our region, 

We’re proud to be trialling this on Council land and look forward to seeing how this can benefit local landholders as an alternative income stream.” 

The post First Cassowary Credits project registered on Eco-Markets Australia Registry appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

Unpacking how the Cassowary Credits Wet Tropics Rainforest Recovery program works, who’s involved, update on stacking with ACCU projects, and what’s next for this important new program supporting nature restoration. Hearing directly from those involved in the program’s development and delivery, followed by a live panel Q&A.

Webinar Speakers & Agenda:

Maree Adshead – CEO, Eco-Markets Australia:
Webinar Facilitator

Amy Basnett – Head of Programs – Environmental Markets & Standards, Eco-Markets Australia:
An overview of the Cassowary Credits framework, including the role of the independent administrator, the end-to-end participation process, from registration through to credit issuance, and how Cassowary Credits projects support stacking with ACCU projects.

Bob Speirs – Chair, Technical Advisory Committee, Eco-Markets Australia:
Why technical oversight and integrity matter, and how the Technical Advisory Committee supports robust, credible standards.

Bronwyn Robertson – Project Leader, Terrain NRM:
Insights into the development of the Cassowary Credits Standard and a closer look at the Rainforest Replanting Methodology.

Amber Kellett – Sustainability Education Officer, Cassowary Coast Regional Council:
A live case study: Launching the first stacked ACCU and Cassowary Credits project on the ground.

Concluding in a panel Q&A with webinar speakers, joined by Cath Moran, lead author of the Rainforest Replanting methodology.

The post Unpacking Cassowary Credits Webinar appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

Maree Adshead, CEO of Eco-Markets Australia stated; “This is a game-changer, the ability for landholders to generate two separate tradeable credits, Cassowary Credits that reward biodiversity outcomes and ACCUs for carbon related outcomes, creating new opportunities to diversify income and reduce risk. It rewards land stewardship in a more complete and practical way.”

“What better way to support landholders than to incentivise them for doing what they do best, managing their land, while offering additional income streams for implementing best-practice conservation or restoration activities. We hope this becomes the new norm, where farmers are recognised not just as food producers or carbon farmers, but as land stewards who contribute to biodiversity, water quality improvement, climate, and community outcomes, and are suitably rewarded for this.”

Cassowary Coast Regional Council are one of the first Cassowary Credits project proponents and are planning to stack their project with an ACCU project.

Councillor Jeff Baines, Cassowary Coast Regional Council portfolio holder for Environment and Reef Guardian representative, said the initiative demonstrates the region’s commitment to environmental leadership:

“One of the first Cassowary Credits projects to be registered is being delivered by Cassowary Coast Regional Council, with intentions to stack both Australian Carbon Credit Units and Cassowary Credits on the same parcel of land. This site, located along Ninds Creek opposite Moresby Range National Park, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our region.” he said.

“We’re proud to be trialling this on Council land and look forward to seeing how this can benefit local landholders as an alternative income stream.”

“It is a fantastic opportunity for Council to lead the way in the growing environmental market, particularly through Cassowary Credits, which are uniquely tailored to the Wet Tropics bioregion.”

Please visit the Credit Stacking page for more information on how to stack an ACCU project with a Cassowary Credits project.

The post Credit Stacking – An Australian First appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

This milestone marks the first biodiversity market administered by Eco-Markets Australia and introduces a new opportunity for landholders in Queensland’s Wet Tropics to be rewarded for restoring rainforest ecosystems through earning verified biodiversity credits.

Cassowary Credits are designed to support landholders undertaking eligible restoration activities that improve habitat condition, reduce threats, and support species recovery in one of Australia’s most ecologically significant landscapes. Developed by Terrain NRM, the Cassowary Credit Standard and its first approved methodology, the Rainforest Replanting Methodology, have now undergone a full independent evaluation by Eco-Markets Australia, launching the program and inviting landholders to participate.

“Eco-Markets Australia’s role is to ensure that the credit generation process is robust, transparent and independently verified,” said Maree Adshead, CEO of Eco-Markets Australia. “Our framework ensures every credit issued represents a real, measurable environmental outcome, providing confidence to both landholders and buyers that these credits have integrity.”

Stewart Christie, CEO of Terrain NRM said Cassowary Credits were developed to reward landholders who are improving the condition of rainforest ecosystems in the Wet Tropics, one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.

“The scheme also aims to support Rainforest Aboriginal People in healing and restoring their Traditional Country. As the first projects start to roll out, we’re already seeing Traditional Owners taking part.”

“With the scheme now transitioning to independent administration by Eco-Markets Australia, it marks the next stage in being able to deliver projects that will contribute to the conservation of our region’s internationally-recognised biodiversity values.”

Eco-Markets Australia now independently manages all program oversight, including project registration, validation, monitoring and the transparent issuance and tracking of credits through a publicly accessible Registry.

About the Wet Tropics and the need for restoration

The Wet Tropics rainforest has experienced decades of fragmentation from land clearing, development, and infrastructure. Restoration in this region improves biodiversity outcomes on land and enhances the health of connected freshwater and marine ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Eco-Markets Australia is committed to delivering integrity-led, independently verified environmental market solutions that support both nature and people. The launch of Cassowary Credits sets a new benchmark for how biodiversity markets can work for landholders, investors, and the environment to create a high integrity nature finance mechanism, driving private investment into nature restoration and preservation.

The post Cassowary Credits Launches appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

Recent Credit Retirements

Recent retirements of note recorded on Eco-Markets Australia’s Reef Credits Registry include:

• Sydney Opera House Trust – Reef Credits retired March 2025.
• Queensland Alumina Limited – one of the world’s leading aluminia production facilities, located in Gladstone, QLD – Reef Credits retired March 2025.

By purchasing and retiring Reef Credits, organisations/purchasers gain the right to claim that they have directly contributed to water quality improvement that protects the Great Barrier Reef. Each Reef Credit represents a verified reduction of either:

• 1 kilogram of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), or
• 538 kilograms of fine sediment,

as determined by the applied Reef Credit Methodology.

Reef Credits provide a transparent, credible science-backed way to invest in measurable environmental outcomes.

Join other leading organisations in making a real impact.

View the Reef Credit Claims Guidance for more information on the right to claim.

Read our Guide to Buying Nature Credits for information on how to purchase credits.

New Methodologies Received for Assessment

The Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat have received two new methodologies for assessment of suitability for the generation of Reef Credits:

• Method for determining Reef Credits from reduced hillslope erosion in grazing lands
• Method for determining reduction in DIN and Fine Sediment using P2R Projector calculations

Both methodologies will now move through Eco-Markets Australia’s stringent Methodology Review and Approval Process. As part of this process a public consultation on the methods will be forthcoming. Updates on these consultations will be communicated on the Eco-Markets Australia website, social media and in future email newsletters.

Gully Rehabilitation Pipeline Project Registration

The first pipeline project under the Method for Accounting for Reduction in Sediment Run-off through Gully Rehabilitation has been registered with Eco-Markets Australia.

The Bowen Gully Rehabilitation Project #1 is located within the boundary of the Burdekin Great Barrier Reef Catchment and aims to generate Reef Credits under the Method of Accounting for Reduction in Sediment Run-off through Gully Rehabilitation – Version 1.4 via landscape rehabilitation measures with the intent to reduce the amount of sediment loss from gully erosion and thereby reduce the amount of fine sediment entering the Great Barrier Reef.

The project is estimated to start in July 2025.

Reef Credits Registry Update

In the first quarter of 2025 2,163 Reef Credits have been issued using the Nitrogen Use Efficiency (DIN) method. Currently, we are aware that 15,956 Reef Credits are available to purchase.

As the independent administrator of the Reef Credit Scheme, Eco-Markets Australia ensures the integrity of the scheme through robust oversight and effective management of the Eco-Markets Australia Registry. This platform transparently tracks all approved projects and verified outcomes, enabling the secure issuance, transfer, and retirement of credits.

While we oversee these processes, Eco-Markets Australia remains independent from the commercial transactions between buyers and sellers and does not set credit prices.

For more information on Reef Credits currently available for purchase or to learn more about the buying process, please contact the Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat team.

The post April 25 Reef Credits Market Snapshot appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

The Working Group’s key objective is to finalise these principles and deliver at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, this June. Eco-Markets Australia’s participation provides an opportunity to share insights from our experience administering the Reef Credit Scheme, over the last 5 years, and contribute to the broader development of biodiversity credit markets across land and water.

The post Marine Biodiversity Credit Working Group appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

Eco-Markets Australia CEO, Maree Adshead, joins Kath McLeish and Dr David Waters on the latest Truii Conversations podcast to discuss the importance of valuing natural capital and navigating challenges in environmental markets.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or YouTube.

The post Truii Conversations Podcast appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

Eco-Markets Australia’s CEO, Maree Adshead,  spoke at the initial forum meeting for 2025 of the international Biodiversity Credit Alliance, sharing insights on emerging opportunities in nature markets and Eco-Markets Australia’s efforts to ensure credible, high-integrity outcomes. The discussion that followed reinforced the importance of collaboration in shaping this evolving space.

If you missed Maree’s presentation, you can watch it on our YouTube channel below.

The post Biodiversity Credit Alliance Forum Presentation appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.

View Our Team

View Annual Report

Annual Report 2023-24

The Eco-Markets Australia Annual Report for 2023-24 is now published, showcasing the highlights of the past year for both Eco-Markets Australia and the Reef Credit Scheme. This year’s report also features a message from our outgoing Chair, Jo Sheppard, reflecting on the significant milestones achieved during her tenure.

We invite you to explore the report and celebrate the progress we’ve made together in advancing environmental markets and delivering meaningful outcomes for the environment.

View Corporate Strategy

2025-26 Corporate Strategy

The Eco-Markets Australia 2025–26 Corporate Strategy has been released, outlining our vision, purpose, and key business objectives for the year ahead. It reinforces our commitment to deliver independently verified and measurable environmental outcomes with integrity and transparency.

The strategy provides a roadmap for expanding our reach, fostering innovation, and deepening engagement with stakeholders to drive nature-based solutions. We encourage our partners and stakeholders to explore the strategy, now available on our website, and see how we are shaping the future of environmental markets.

View Buying Credits Guide

Guide to Buying Credits

We’ve launched a comprehensive Guide to Buying Credits on our website, providing detailed insights into how high-integrity environmental credits can support nature-positive outcomes. The guide covers the benefits of purchasing biodiversity and water quality improvement credits, the role they play in advancing global sustainability targets, and practical steps for businesses to get involved.

Learn how Eco-Markets Australia’s credits offer real, measurable, and independently verified environmental outcomes while aligning with frameworks like the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

View Case Study

Reef Credits Case Study

The Green Finance Institute has recognised the Reef Credit Scheme as a standout example of nature-based finance in its newly released Revenues for Nature Guidebook Series, launched at COP16. The Nature-based Models for Unlocking Private Investment into Water Quality and Availability Guidebook highlights how Reef Credits are successfully driving investment into water quality improvement, providing a trusted, high-integrity finance mechanism delivering measurable environmental outcomes.

The Reef Credit Scheme is also spotlighted in an in-depth case study on the Green Finance Institute Hive, showcasing its effectiveness as a nature finance solution.

Grazing Land Management Methodology Guide

Wastewater Methodology Guide

Methodology Guides

We are excited to share our new Methodology Guides—a valuable resource for landholders considering participation in Reef Credit projects.

These guides provide an independent and transparent overview of the Reef Credit Scheme, detailing its structure and the methodologies available. Designed for Project Proponents to share with landholders and their trusted advisors, the guides ensure clarity and confidence in understanding the process.

With these guides, we’re supporting landholders to make informed decisions and enabling their vital contributions to improving water quality through high-integrity projects.

Constructed Wetlands Methodology Update

The Method for Accounting for Reduction in Nutrient Run-off through Wetland Treatment Systems in Great Barrier Reef Catchments, developed and submitted by GreenCollar, is progressing through Eco-Markets Australia’s rigorous Methodology Review and Approval Process. This assessment will determine its suitability for incorporation as a supported methodology under the Reef Credit Scheme.

Following public consultation and peer review, the methodology has been updated and resubmitted for further evaluation. Updates on its approval status will be communicated in future announcements.

The integrity of the Reef Credit Scheme relies on our robust and independent processes, which are critical to maintaining trust in the environmental markets we administer. These processes ensure that all methodologies under the Reef Credit Scheme meet the highest standards of scientific rigour, transparency, and credibility.

Reef Credit Registry Update

In the past quarter, 2,233 new Reef Credits were issued under the Nitrogen Use Efficiency (DIN) Method. Recent transactions of Reef Credits under this method have achieved prices of up to $170 AUD per credit. Currently, 14,224 Reef Credits generated using this method are available to purchase.

As the independent administrator of the Reef Credit Scheme, Eco-Markets Australia ensures the integrity of the scheme through robust oversight and effective management of the Eco-Markets Australia Registry. This platform transparently tracks all approved projects and verified outcomes, enabling the secure issuance, transfer, and retirement of credits.

While we oversee these processes, Eco-Markets Australia remains independent from the commercial transactions between buyers and sellers and does not set credit prices.

For more information on Reef Credits currently available for purchase or to learn more about the buying process, please contact the Eco-Markets Australia Secretariat team.

Other Market News

View Information on Cassowary Credits

Cassowary Credits is a Wet Tropics Rainforest Recovery Program developed by TerrainNRM.

The draft Cassowary Credits Standard and supporting Rainforest Replanting Methodology are currently under assessment by Eco-Markets Australia for administration as a Voluntary Biodiversity Credit Market.

A public consultation of the draft Standard and Methodology ran 1- 30 October 2024. These are now moving through our Review and Approval Process and updates will be communicated through the Eco-Markets Australia website.

The post Quarterly Market Snapshot – Oct-Dec 24 appeared first on Eco-Markets Australia.