Investment in Australian Integrated Carbon

Last updated: 23 November 2023

Rio Tinto has acquired a 14.15% interest in Australian Integrated Carbon (AiCarbon), a leading developer of high-quality carbon credits, following a competitive investment process run by climate change advisory and investment firm Pollination on behalf of AiCarbon.

AiCarbon CEO Adam Townley said: “We are delighted to have a company like Rio Tinto join AiCarbon as a shareholder. Rio Tinto’s investment highlights the strength of AiCarbon’s business as a leading carbon credit developer in Australia.”

Rio Tinto Chief Decarbonisation Officer Jonathon McCarthy said Rio Tinto was working on solutions to decarbonise a range of hard-to-abate processes but much of the technology needed to reduce emissions did not yet exist.

“Our absolute priority is to cut operational emissions from our business but developing, piloting and implementing the new technologies we need takes time."

“As a transition measure, access to the high-quality carbon credits generated by AiCarbon, in partnership with Australian landowners and local communities, will help us meet our compliance obligations as we progressively reduce emissions.”

AiCarbon has an existing portfolio or more than 40 carbon farming projects across 8 million hectares in Australia. To date, these projects have included working with landholders to implement rotational grazing strategies, weed and pest control, and improved fencing and watering systems. However, the Australian carbon market is now entering a new era with the implementation of new credit methodologies, including integrated farm and land management, which creates new opportunities to collaborate with landholders. Further, the tightening of Safeguard Mechanism requirements is expected to increase demand for carbon credits going forward.

Mr Townley said: “The investment by Rio Tinto comes at an exciting time for AiCarbon, as we see increasing demand for high-quality carbon credits in the Australian market. Rio Tinto’s investment will enable AiCarbon to execute its growth strategy to meet this growing demand, as we develop our pipeline of new carbon farming projects in partnership with local landholders, Traditional Owners, and the broader community.”

As part of its investment, a representative of Rio Tinto will join the board of AiCarbon alongside representatives from existing shareholders, including Japan Integrated Carbon (a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and NYK Line) and Bentleys Carbon Fund, who both elected to reinvest as part of this competitive process.