MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGO UNTIL 12:00am/midnight AEDT Monday 10 March 2025
From cost to asset: How biodiversity markets could transform green Infrastructure
A new biodiversity credit market is emerging in Australia, creating opportunities to turn conservation efforts into investible assets. While minerals and agriculture have long underpinned the economy, natural capital is poised to become a powerful new driver of sustainability investment.
This Tuesday at Sydney Climate Action Week, Dr Kate Dodds from Corporate Carbon Group will lead a discussion on how biodiversity credit markets could reshape the way businesses invest in green infrastructure.
For decades, biodiversity credits have been promised as the missing link between conservation and finance. Now, with the first enforceable biodiversity certificates, the market is becoming more tangible.
“Biodiversity credits have been an idea just out of reach. Now Australia has the chance to make them real, but we must act quickly to set the standard and create a methodology before others do, and we are in a unique position as a country to do so,” Dodds said.
However, a key challenge remains in that, unlike carbon credits, biodiversity is not a single, measurable unit.
“There is no easy way to compare, say, a koala habitat to a coral reef. If we can’t standardise biodiversity credits, we risk slowing the market before it starts,” Dodds said.
“But if we get it right, biodiversity markets could transform green infrastructure from a research concept into large-scale projects worth billions.”
Beyond environmental benefits, green infrastructure improves climate resilience and liveability but is often seen as a cost by developers.
“Right now, green infrastructure is often seen as an expensive extra. If biodiversity credits work as intended, they could turn this infrastructure into profitable assets for Australia.” Dodds concluded.
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Media enquiries: Claudia Bergen | [email protected] | 0477 658 404
Dr Dodds is available for comment on:
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Australia’s leadership in green and biodiversity markets and what needs to happen for the country to maintain its position
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The need for a biodiversity methodology; how standardisation could make or break biodiversity credit markets
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The real-world impact of carbon credits on urban infrastructure and climate resilience
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How businesses and investors can monetise biodiversity credits and what early movers need to know
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Lessons from carbon markets and how to avoid the same mistakes in biodiversity crediting
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The risks of inaction; what happens if Australia doesn’t establish itself as a leader in this space
About us:
About Corporate Carbon:
Founded in 2010, Corporate Carbon is one of Australia’s leading carbon abatement project developers and owners. Delivering more than 13 million Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to the CER and commercial clients, Corporate Carbon has deep expertise in identifying new emissions reduction opportunities, establishing projects, managing delivery risks, and navigating complex policy and legislation. Corporate Carbon is a member of the Carbon Market Institute and an Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct Foundation signatory. corporatecarbon.com.au