Business
CEFC, La Caisse launch $250m Australian ag and carbon platform, Rio Tinto signs up as offtaker
The CEFC and global investment group La Caisse (formerly CDPQ) have launched a AU$250 million landmark, large-scale, diversified agricultural platform to generate high-quality Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), with Rio Tinto as a foundation offtaker.
About this update from Rio Tinto Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"MONTRÉAL and SYDNEY, Sept. 8, 2025 /CNW/ - The CEFC and global investment group La Caisse (formerly CDPQ) have launched a AU$250 million landmark, large-scale, diversified agricultural platform to generate high-quality Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), with Rio Tinto as a foundation offtaker.","length":304,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"La Caisse has invested AU$200 million alongside a AU$50 million commitment from the CEFC to create the Meldora platform (Meldora), managed by Australian agriculture and natural capital asset manager, Gunn Agri Partners (GAP). Meldora has purchased its first asset, a broadacre and irrigation farm of more than 15,000 hectares in Central Queensland.","length":348,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Meldora will combine sustainable agricultural production with large-scale Environmental Plantings under the ACCU scheme, underpinned by a long term offtake from Rio Tinto for part of the ACCUs to be issued, creating both economic and environmental benefits. Under the Environmental Plantings methodology for ACCUs, native vegetation is planted and maintained for a minimum of 25 years for some projects and as long as a century for others, providing long term carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits.","length":507,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"The investment will promote the integration of sustainable Australian agricultural production with restoration of local species vegetation that generates carbon credits, harnessing carbon sequestration and supporting the efforts of the sector to remain competitive in the global net zero economy.","length":296,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure and Sustainability, La Caisse said: "This investment is a timely step toward advancing resilient, climate-smart agriculture in Australia, while delivering measurable environmental and economic value. Teaming up once again with the CEFC and GAP – and with Rio Tinto as a foundation offtaker – reinforces our confidence in this platform's ability to scale. It reflects La Caisse's commitment to sustainable land use and our broader net zero ambition, as we position ourselves early in a growing market for high-quality carbon credits."","length":630,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"La Ca...