Interest in the federal carbon neutral scheme is growing at an unprecedented rate partly because of its commercial benefits, and the program is about to undergo a major revamp.
A federal committee is investigating why businesses are largely ignoring five ERF energy efficiency methods, and whether two others designed to prevent clearing are sufficiently robust.
The Clean Energy Regulator has approved one of Australia's largest carbon businesses to earn credits through a new energy project, and has also approved a project by one of the country's largest agribusinesses.
A major carbon offsets company has lost a Federal Court battle with the Clean Energy Regulator, in a case that tested which projects need Native Title-holder consent before credits can be issued.
The federal government has finalised a new ERF method that will allow businesses to earn carbon credits through a wide range of small-scale equipment upgrades and alterations.
Many more farms will now be able to earn carbon credits by boosting soil carbon, and administration costs for existing soil projects will fall markedly, under new changes announced by Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg.