Biodiversity and Carbon Markets

With cultural and economic ties to natural capital and an iconic natural environment that includes the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics, investment in ecosystem services and biodiversity is rapidly rising. Current policies and resources focus on biodiversity credit schemes and unlocking carbon market potential in the region.

The Cairns and FNQ Smart Green Economy aims to pursue activities to improve outcomes for nature, society, businesses and infrastructure within the region in the face of a changing climate.

• $5bn - the Wet Tropics contribute $5bn per year to the local economy alongside 13,000 jobs.
• $10 million - invested into the Reef Credit initiative by the Queensland Government.
• 410 - active carbon projects in Queensland alone.

Integrating nature into business

The world is changing, and so are the expectations of consumers, stakeholders, and governments. They are all calling for businesses to put more effort into achieving nature-positive outcomes. By 2050, the biodiversity market is predicted to unlock AU$137 billion. More than half of this amount, $78 billion, is expected to come from biodiversity, conservation, and natural-capital themed bonds or funds.

This is not just a huge opportunity for businesses, but also an important step towards a more sustainable future.