Carbon markets
Supporting the transition towards net-zero.
Partners in your decarbonisation journey
Westpac is an active participant in the ACCU (Australian Carbon Credit Unit) and REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) markets in Australia and NZU (New Zealand Units) market in New Zealand, helping customers access liquidity in an easy and efficient way.
How we can help
- Provide real time pricing to purchase or sell ACCUs, RECs or NZUs.
- Assist you with your risk management and funding strategy.
- Provide pricing for the sale or purchase to future delivery dates.
- Participate in the NZU auction on your behalf.
- Procure units or certificates which meet your specific needs, either for compliance or voluntary purposes.
Advantages of trading with Westpac
Our relationship with a wide range of institutional customers and developers provides access to a deep pool of liquidity helping you transact or manage your risk in carbon markets.
- If you are holding ACCUs or NZUs for future use, we can purchase those on a spot basis and sell them back to you forward, helping you manage your working capital.
- Quick, straight forward settlement and cash payment process.
- Surrender ACCUs on your behalf, instantly offsetting your emissions.
Note: Onboarding of new Westpac carbon customers is subject to Westpac’s onboarding process and may be subject to meeting minimum deal size requirements. For further information, questions or comments contact your Westpac Financial markets representative.
What are ACCUs, RECs and NZUs?
Latest articles on Westpac IQ
Commodities Update August 2026
Most commodities fell in July with our broadest commodities index declining -1.8%mth as the geopolitical risk premium that had built through much of the year continued to unwind. Thermal coal led the declines, falling -10.2%mth, while aluminium fell -8.2%, lithium (spodumene) -6.3%mth, coking coal -4.7%mth and gold -3.7%mth. Brent averaged -1.5%mth lower despite briefly exceeding US$100/bbl as hostilities resurfaced. Copper was broadly unchanged (-0.1%mth), while LNG was the notable exception, rising 10.1%mth.
Commodities Update July 2026
Most commodities fell in June following the signing of the US and Iran memorandum of understanding on 17 June. Our broadest commodities index fell –3.2%mth over the month. Oil led the falls, with Brent down –16.3%mth, while Japanese LNG was down –2.5%mth. Iron ore too fell sharply, down –7.2%mth as transient sources of price support faded, while gold slid –7.4%mth and aluminium –5.1%mth. Copper was broadly unchanged. Coal was the exception with both coking (2.6%mth), and thermal coal (10.4%mth) higher.
Commodities Update June 2026
Commodity markets saw mixed moves through May, with the Middle East conflict continuing to dominate. Crude oil softened from earlier highs, while LNG remains relatively tight amid ongoing disruption. Coal prices have risen on a supply shock, while iron ore is beginning to lose some transient sources of support. Gold has eased on higher global yields, while base metals have continued to firm. The outlook remains volatile as global markets adjust and realign in response to the apparent resolution of the US–Iran conflict, which is set to see the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Carbon Markets insights
Emerging solutions on the way to net-zero
How are carbon markets evolving to meet ever-changing scope and looming net-zero deadlines? The views of some of Australia’s smartest thinkers are captured in the 2025 CMI-Westpac Carbon Market Report.
How carbon markets are rising to the net-zero challenge
The credibility of the Australian carbon market is growing as it continues to put in place the necessary integrity-enhancing infrastructure and governance, paving the pathway to realise some forecasts of Australia becoming one of the world’s largest producers of carbon credits.
Counting the cost of carbon
Reforms to the nation’s Safeguard Mechanism are the latest tool in the Federal Government’s bid to achieve its 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Counting the cost of carbon
Reforms to the nation’s Safeguard Mechanism are the latest tool in the Federal Government’s bid to achieve its 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Safeguard Mechanism new rules snapshot
Significant structural changes are set to redefine carbon markets and pricing as part of Australia’s push for a more sustainable future.
Cheat sheet: Carbon trading in Australia and beyond
Given the global imperative to reach net-zero emissions, developing and implementing a robust transition presents an existential challenge for many organisations across Australia.