On stage and in conversation: CMI Carbon Farming Forum, Global AgInvesting Forum and more

Over the past few months, the Pastoral Partners Australia team has had the opportunity to participate in several leading industry events spanning conservation finance, carbon markets, natural capital and agricultural investment.

From the Australian Land Conservation Alliance’s Conservation Finance Intensive, to the Carbon Market Institute’s Carbon Farming Forum, and most recently the Global AgInvesting Forum Australia, these events brought together policymakers, investors, landholders, scientists and project developers to discuss the future of carbon and biodiversity markets in Australia.

While each event had a different focus, a consistent message emerged: carbon and nature markets are continuing to mature, attract investment and become an increasingly important new source of revenue to strengthen Australian agricultural businesses.

Nature finance is moving into the mainstream

Earlier this year, our CEO, Ben Sawley, spoke at the Conservation Finance Intensive: Leveraging Climate for Nature Finance, hosted by the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA).

The event brought together leaders from conservation, finance and agriculture to explore how climate-aligned investment can support measurable outcomes for nature while creating long-term value for landholders and investors.

A key theme was the growing merge between natural capital, agricultural production and conservation outcomes. Discussions focused on the need for investment models that deliver both environmental and financial returns, while ensuring producers remain at the centre of the transition to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

For Pastoral Partners Australia, this helped reinforce our core purpose of building a future where carbon, agriculture and nature work together, transforming Australian grazing land for the benefit of people, plate, and planet.

Carbon Farming continues to gain momentum

More recently, Ben and our Chief Environmental Scientist, Martin Wood, attended the Carbon Market Institute’s Carbon Farming Forum in Perth.

With more than 400 delegates in attendance, the Forum was the largest event ever hosted by the organisation, highlighting the growing momentum behind carbon farming and nature-based solutions across Australia.

One of the strongest messages throughout the Forum was the need to accelerate the development and approval of new ACCU methodologies. Many attendees highlighted the importance of bringing new, high-integrity project opportunities to market to help meet growing demand in the years ahead.

The event also reinforced the important role rural and regional Australia will play in delivering emissions reductions, carbon sequestration and broader environmental outcomes. As carbon and nature markets continue to evolve, significant investment is expected to flow into regional communities, creating new income opportunities while supporting long-term environmental resilience.

Importantly, discussions throughout the Forum highlighted the industry’s ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and robust science as the foundations for future growth.

Carbon and biodiversity markets are becoming strategic business tools

Most recently, Ben joined a panel at the Global AgInvesting Forum Australia alongside Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Silva Capital, with the discussion moderated by Kain Lawyers.

The session explored the future dynamics of carbon and biodiversity markets and their growing role within agricultural investment strategies.

Drawing on our own experience, Ben discussed how carbon projects can provide additional and consistent revenue streams for agricultural businesses, enabling reinvestment into farm improvements, productivity gains and long-term property performance.

The discussion reflected a broader shift occurring across the sector. Carbon and biodiversity markets are increasingly being viewed not simply as environmental initiatives, but as strategic tools that can support increased food production, business growth, investment returns and regional development.

Common themes emerging across the sector

Across all three events, several common themes stood out.

• First, there is growing recognition that agriculture will play a central role in Australia’s decarbonisation journey. The land sector is uniquely positioned to deliver emissions reductions, carbon sequestration and biodiversity outcomes while simultaneously increasing productivity.
• Second, integrity remains critical. Whether discussing carbon methodologies, biodiversity frameworks or conservation finance, stakeholders consistently emphasised the importance of credible science, transparent reporting and measurable outcomes.
• Finally, the conversation is increasingly shifting from potential to delivery. The focus is no longer on whether carbon and biodiversity markets will play a role in Australia’s future, but how projects can be implemented, scaled and financed effectively.

While challenges remain, the level of collaboration, innovation and investment across the industry provides confidence that carbon and nature-based solutions will play an increasingly important role in strengthening farming operations, supporting environmental outcomes and boosting regional economies in the years ahead.

If you’d like to discuss any of these insights, contact one of our carbon experts today.

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