The Clean Energy Regulator expects that the renewable energy certificates and carbon credits it issues in 2020 will have a combined value of about $3 billion, according to its latest market report.
Critics say a plan for special large-emitter carbon credits is risky, and could mean major companies pay little for their emissions for years, but big emitters argue that's not the case.
Proposed ERF changes to boost the supply of carbon credits risk cannibalising the existing carbon offset industry unless tighter limits are imposed on big emitters, the Carbon Market Institute has warned.
The Clean Energy Regulator has "pencilled in" a date for the next ERF auction, and hasn't ruled out an industry suggestion that it consider signing new contracts beforehand.
Results from the latest ERF auction, released today, show average prices rose by about $2, and reveal significant interest from abatement providers in the new optional contracts to supply credits.
A new report on Australia's carbon market highlights many strengths, including a growing volume of greenhouse gas abatement, but also shows up some weaknesses.