Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has introduced a centralized Unit and Certificate Registry, marking a major transformation in the nation’s carbon market infrastructure. The platform, which represents one of the most significant digital upgrades undertaken by the regulator, consolidates a range of environmental credit types that were previously hosted across multiple systems. The new registry is built on advanced blockchain technology, reflecting the growing role of digital systems in environmental markets.
The rollout began with the onboarding of Safeguard Mechanism credit units, known as SMCs, and the CER has outlined plans to migrate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from the legacy ANREU platform into the new system. Once the migration is complete, the registry is expected to serve as a single location for managing ACCUs, SMCs, and a broader set of certificates linked to emerging biodiversity and renewable energy markets in Australia.
The platform has been developed using Trovio’s CorTenX technology, which introduces improved security features, including multi-factor authentication and API connectivity. These upgrades are designed to allow seamless integration with external trading systems and digital marketplaces, thereby supporting a more interconnected carbon market ecosystem. The CER emphasized that the registry will also provide more detailed data about each unit, including project sources, methods used, and specific attributes, offering enhanced transparency for market participants.
David Parker, Chair of the Clean Energy Regulator, described the launch as a significant milestone for the country’s environmental markets. He noted that the migration process successfully transferred nearly 178 million active and previously canceled ACCUs, together with the entire transaction history of more than 2,000 private and government ANREU accounts. Parker explained that the new platform aims to strengthen market visibility and improve accessibility for participants, positioning the registry as a trusted source of information in Australia’s climate finance landscape.
The regulator also indicated that the registry will continue to evolve, with additional interoperability features scheduled for release within the next year. These enhancements are expected to improve connectivity with third-party trading environments and digital service providers, further expanding the registry’s functionality.
Beyond carbon-related credits, the platform is positioned to support new market-driven environmental initiatives. One such program is Australia’s Nature Repair Market, which is expected to introduce biodiversity credits that reward landholders for environmental restoration efforts. Additionally, the registry will integrate the Guarantee of Origin scheme, a system designed to track the production of renewable energy and verify its sustainability credentials.
Market analysts have suggested that the upgraded registry will serve as a crucial foundation for future growth in Australia’s environmental markets. By unifying credit management, improving data transparency, and strengthening digital infrastructure, the CER is laying the groundwork for increased liquidity and stronger regulatory compliance. The unified registry is also considered essential for ensuring environmental integrity as the country expands its ambitions in carbon reduction and climate finance.
With this digital transformation, Australia is signaling its intention to build more resilient and transparent environmental markets. The initiative reflects a broader global trend of leveraging blockchain and digital registries to modernize climate-related financial systems and provide trustworthy, verifiable data for investors, project developers, and policymakers.
