The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has engaged Associate Professor (Honorary) Cris Brack from the Australian National University to commence a review of gateway checks for human-induced regeneration (HIR) projects under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme (ACCU Scheme).
It is a legislative requirement that all HIR projects must undergo regular gateway checks to demonstrate that only land that is progressing towards forest cover is being issued ACCUs.
David Parker, Chair of the CER, said he welcomes Assoc Prof Brack’s appointment as the independent reviewer of HIR gateway checks.
‘Assoc Prof Brack has over 30 years of experience in teaching and research into forest measurement and management.
‘With over 80 peer reviewed publications, his most significant research contributions have been the development of optimal sampling strategies, modelling tools, and decision-support systems for trees and associated biota at stand, landscape and continental scales.
‘He has extensive knowledge in applied statistics, data acquisition and analysis from remotely sensed imagery and ground-based survey and modelling of tree and stand dynamics which he will bring to his role as an independent reviewer of HIR gateway checks,’ said Mr Parker.
The regular reviews of gateway checks will provide additional independent assurance on the performance of the HIR project portfolio. Assoc Prof Brack will consider the information and evidence for each project and come to a view as to whether the outcomes of the gateway check are reasonable. The outcomes for each project will also inform the CER’s compliance response for individual projects and inform general process improvement for scheme administration.
The outcomes of these reviews will be aggregated and published on the CER’s website to provide scheme transparency and confidence in the integrity of the HIR project portfolio.
An initial review report is expected to be published by the end of the year on a subset of already completed gateway checks. A review report will then be prepared approximately every 6 months for projects that subsequently have gateway checks.