Climate action can also be scaled without necessarily planting more trees or issuing more carbon credits. Because it is about trust, trust in the fact that the outcomes for the environment are real, transparent, and sustainable.

With a large and growing number of players in a voluntary carbon market, integrity is what draws the difference between significant impact and creating noise in the market.

This is what was at the heart of a recent conversation on Treecoin Podcast between Damien, CEO and Co-Founder of Treecoin, and Samuel Dawes, CEO of the Australian Carbon Code of Conduct.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caiivrXKAkk

‍From Environmental Protection to Market Integrity

Samuel’s path into carbon market governance wasn’t through boardrooms or balance sheets. It was grounded in lived environmental experience. He grew up in far north Queensland, next to a national park, where he could see the impacts of climate change, including increasing fires, prolonged and intensified droughts, and greater strain on ecosystems.

Later, as an environmental investigator with the Queensland Government, he saw how environmental degradation directly affects communities. That experience influenced his philosophy of environmental protection, which he saw not as anti-economic but as the basis for long-term prosperity.

“If you look after the environment, it will always look after you,” Samuel shared, echoing wisdom passed down by First Nations elders.

Why Integrity Is the Engine of Scale

Effective climate solutions must earn the trust of institutions, communities, and stakeholders committed for the long term. It is only made possible when integrity is incorporated into the system.

Samuel explains that the Australian Carbon Code of Conduct doesn’t evaluate climate science itself. Rather it evaluates the behaviour of those involved.

“For us, integrity isn’t a slogan. It’s a verb. You need to be doing it, and you need to be seen to be doing it.”

This implies responsibility, openness, and transparency at all levels between landholders, project developers, investors, and consumers.

Making Carbon Markets understandable

Complexity is one of the largest issues in environmental markets. If only experts are able to know how a system works, trust erodes.

The Code of Conduct addresses this by establishing recognisable benchmarks and a clear brand mark, and by assisting landholders, councils, investors, and communities to recognise organisations committed to best practice rapidly. Annual audits, complaint resolution, and continuous improvement are indicators of a healthy market.

Treecoin’s Role: Connecting People to Climate Action

The mission of Treecoin lies at the intersection of trading and environmental protection, enabling everyday people, who usually have little to no connection to the practical responsibilities of environmental protection, to have a direct impact on reforestation and carbon reduction.

By aligning economic incentives with environmental benefits, Treecoin aims to scale climate action responsibly, without shortcuts, or greenwashing.

Integrity Is What Makes Climate Action last

Due to regulators' crackdown on greenwashing and growing public scrutiny of the issue, integrity is no longer a choice. Climate solutions rely on it to expand, attract investment, and deliver tangible long-term benefits.

Carbon integrity, when done right, doesn’t slow progress; it accelerates it.

Watch the full conversation here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caiivrXKAkk

To explore Treecoin, open your account at app.treecoin.global

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