The latest developments in and around investments attuned to concerns about the environment, society and governance.

Cibus Capital, a London-based investment advisory firm focused on sustainable food and agriculture, has launched Cibus Carbon. It is a new vehicle investing in Australian planted carbon projects.

The fund aims to deliver about 11.25 million Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) over a 30-year period, assuming A$300 million ($198 million) is raised in funds, Cibus Capital said in a statement. 

The fund will plant a mix of tree species on carefully chosen sites. 

Cibus Capital said it expects the Australian carbon credit market will become the world’s largest by the end of the decade, driven by strong compliance demand and a growing number of voluntary buyers. It said the market for ACCUs will grow significantly, taking net buying demand to reach 44 million in 2030 (from 15 million in 2025).

Cibus Carbon will be managed by a dedicated Australian manager, Cibus Carbon Investments Pty, led by Damon Petrie and Jeremy Alun-Jones, and the related-party asset manager, will be led by Simon Campbell (consultant CEO) and Grant Tranter (consultant chief scientist).

The fund will plant a mix of tree species on carefully chosen sites. These sites are selected using a proprietary system that finds land where the cost of purchase is low compared with the potential carbon credits it can generate, creating an attractive investment opportunity in a market that is difficult for new entrants to access.

"Nature-based mitigation will play a major role in the pathway to addressing climate change. The Australian carbon credit market, at the pace of growth and maturity, presents a prime opportunity to invest in institutional-grade nature-based solutions which we anticipate will deliver robust returns,” Damon Petrie, consultant director, Cibus said.