What criteria are used to assess the integrity of human-induced regeneration (HIR) projects?

The Explorer does not assess whether projects are complying with the legal requirements of the HIR method. It aims to provide an indicative assessment of whether projects are likely to be generating real and additional abatement, using a three-class risk integrity rating system. The system classifies projects as having a low, medium or high indicative integrity risk based on three criteria.

  • Criterion 1: the proportion of the project’s carbon estimation areas (CEAs) (or project area where CEA data have not been released) that have been comprehensively cleared in the past.
  • Criterion 2: whether there has been an increase in tree cover within the CEAs (or project area where CEA data have not been released) since the project was registered.
  • Criterion 3: whether there has been an increase in tree cover in the CEAs (or project area where CEA data have not been released) since the project was registered relative to the surrounding area, excluding any other projects.

These criteria provide information on the three integrity problems discussed here.

  • Criterion 1 (proportion of the CEAs/project area that has been comprehensively cleared in the past) is intended to provide indicative information on whether the sites are at or near their maximum carrying capacity and, hence, whether they are likely to be able to support significant additional trees and shrubs. Sites that have not been     comprehensively cleared in the past are also likely to support significant numbers of pre-existing mature trees and shrubs, which could compete with any additional regeneration achieved by the project and lead to over-crediting.
  • Criterion 2 (whether there has been an increase in tree cover within the CEAs/project area since the project was registered) is intended to provide indicative information on whether project activities are leading to the regeneration.
  • Criterion 3 (whether there has been an increase in tree cover in the CEAs/project area since the project was registered relative to the surrounding area, excluding any other projects) is intended to provide indicative information on whether any observed changes in tree cover are likely to be attributable to the project activities or whether they are more likely to be due to rainfall or other non-project related issues.

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Disclaimer
Carbon Integrity Explorer

The Carbon Integrity Explorer provides information about carbon offsets projects registered under the Australian Government’s carbon offset scheme. 

Registered projects can generate Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs). Each ACCU is supposed to represent 1 tonne of real and additional abatement of greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Carbon Integrity Explorer uses government datasets to provide indicative information on whether projects are likely to be generating real and additional abatement.   

The information contained in the Explorer is indicative only and should not be relied upon as a definitive measure of the extent to which projects have, or are likely to, generate real and additional abatement. The Explorer does not:·  

  • assess, or purport to provide information on, whether projects are complying with the legal requirements of the offset scheme;  
  • assess, or purport to provide information on, whether the ACCUs that have been, or are likely to be, issued to projects are valid or invalid; or
  • assess, or purport to provide information on, the actual or expected market value of any ACCUs.

The Carbon Integrity Explorer should not be relied on for the above purposes. 

The Centre for Environment and Integrity Pty Ltd does not suggest or imply that any proponent of any project has done anything unlawful or unethical or that ACCUs issued to any project are not legitimate or valid. The indicative risk rating is an indicative measure of the abatement risk associated with relevant projects and nothing else. 

The Centre for Environment and Integrity Pty Ltd does not have an Australian financial services licence and, in operating the Explorer, is not providing financial advice about ACCUs or any other financial product.

By proceeding, you agree that you have read and understood this disclaimer.
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