Climate Active certification is ending: have your say
The Australian Government will be ending certification of voluntary climate claims through the Climate Active program.
This decision reflects changes in community expectations, corporate sustainability practices, and international and domestic policy settings since the program’s inception.
Certification is proposed to end 30 June 2027 following a transitional period.
To best support entities through the transition away from certification, we are consulting on 2 proposed options:
- Close the Climate Active program
- Close the Climate Active program but the department retain some voluntary standards and select guidance
Why is certification ending?
For more than 15 years, Climate Active has driven voluntary climate action by certifying businesses that reach a credible state of carbon neutrality.
The operating context for business decarbonisation in Australia has changed significantly since Climate Active was established in 2010 as the National Carbon Offset Standard.
The Australian Government has introduced a comprehensive suite of energy and climate policies that are helping businesses reduce their emissions, guided by a legislated target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Climate Active helped fill a gap in the domestic market. But there is now less need for government certification to incentivise voluntary climate action.
This decision responds to:
- changing corporate sustainability practices, including mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements
- maturing and widely adopted international guidance frameworks that support voluntary climate action
- increased demand for direct emissions reduction from consumers, investors and the public.
We want to thank the many responsible Australian businesses who have shown their commitment to climate action by measuring, reducing and offsetting their emissions through the program.
What does this mean for Climate Active?
The Climate Active brand will be discontinued. This includes the:
- Climate Active trade marks
- register of consultants
- Climate Active website.
The Climate Active Carbon Neutral standards as they currently exist will be discontinued. Some updated Australian voluntary standards may be retained under Option 2.
Once the changes come into effect, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will no longer review or monitor any claims made about Climate Active or Carbon Neutral certification.
Entities can seek certification under other schemes as they choose.
Have your say
Public consultation is open until Friday 18 September at 5pm AEST.
Visit the department’s consultation hub to:
- read the consultation paper
- take the survey
- make an optional written submission (emailed submissions will not be accepted).
How will Climate Active participants be supported?
We will work with Climate Active participants and affected entities through the transition.
Guidance will be provided directly to relevant entities. For more information, contact climate.active@dcceew.gov.au.