Sequestration of Carbon from Environmental Plantings QLD1

Sequestration of Carbon from Environmental Plantings QLD1 is an environmental planting project located approximately 55km south-east of Townsville in Queensland, spanning the Burdekin and Townsville local government areas. Registered in June 2025, the project initially covered 372.40 hectares, although a project variation on May 5, 2026, formally removed certain areas from the project boundary.

Environmental planting projects operating under the Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Plantings-FullCAM methodology involve establishing and maintaining permanent mixed-species plantings of native trees and shrubs to convert cleared land back into forest cover. Under standard scheme requirements, the planting must achieve a density capable of reaching forest cover status, typically defined as reaching at least 2 metres in height and providing 20% canopy cover. For this project, the plantings strictly utilize species local to the area to accurately reflect the structure and composition of the native vegetation community.

The region surrounding the project area is traditionally utilized for cattle grazing and agriculture. The local environment is situated in a dry tropical climate characterized by highly seasonal rainfall, marked by wet summers and dry winters. The landscape typically features soils ranging from cracking clays (Vertosols) to red and yellow earths (Kandosols or Dermosols), which naturally support open woodland vegetation.

An interesting aspect of this project is its corporate proponent, Rio Tinto Energy Services Pty Ltd. This initiative aligns with the mining giant's broader strategic shift to invest in nature-based solutions and develop high-quality Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to offset its operational emissions. Beyond direct land-based carbon assets, Rio Tinto has also been actively establishing major carbon farming partnerships in Queensland and has entered into extensive ACCU offtake arrangements with local councils across the state.