Landcare launches CarbonSMART scheme with Freehills’ help
01 March 2007Landcare Australia has today launched its carbon trading project ‘CarbonSMART’, a scheme for the purchase and sale of carbon credits derived from tree plantings on private land, with assistance from Freehills.
According to Landcare Australia, landholders can earn money for managing trees and vegetation through the Landcare CarbonSMART initiative, with some landholders able to secure a regular income for up to 30 years. The project marks Australia’s first ongoing carbon pool to support biodiversity.
Landcare Australia, a not-for-profit company, received assistance for the project from a number of sponsors, including legal assistance from Freehills. Landcare Australia asked Freehills to advise on and establish the appropriate CarbonSMART entity, and to prepare the documentation required to effect the proposed purchase of carbon rights and sale of NSW greenhouse abatement certificates (NGACs) through the NSW greenhouse gas abatement scheme (NGGAS). Assisting Landcare Australia with the project were a team of Freehills people headed up by John Taberner, Partner and Freehills Foundation Board member, Kirsty Campbell, Solicitor and Jason Johnston, Solicitor.
Freehills has provided legal advice to Landcare Australia on a pro bono basis for over 15 years. Given that relationship, John commented that Freehills was delighted to be able to assist Landcare Australia to set up the CarbonSMART project.
'As climate change emerges as a mainstream political issue in Australia, there are increasing opportunities to take part in initiatives aimed at offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. The strength of the CarbonSMART project is that it enables individual land owners to take part in such initiatives,' said John.
'For Freehills, the CarbonSMART project has also provided the opportunity to draw on our increasing involvement in this novel area of law. It was exciting being involved with the project at its very inception but to now see the project launched is an achievement indeed,' he added.
For more information visit the Landcare website or contact
Title : Consultant
Office : Sydney
Phone : +61 2 9225 5427
Fax : +61 2 9322 4000
Email : john.taberner@freehills.com
