Rio Tinto serves as its foundation offtaker
Australian climate investor CEFC and Canadian institutional investor Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (La Caisse) have collaborated for the launch of a large-scale, diversified agricultural platform Meldora.
Investing a total of $228 million (AU$250 million), with $183 million (AU$200 million) from La Caisse and $46 million (AU$50 million) from CEFC, the two firms have partnered to create the Meldora platform. This platform is managed by Australian agriculture and natural capital asset manager Gunn Agri Partners (GAP).
Meldora will be combining the sustainable agricultural production with the environmental plantings that are indicated under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme (ACCU). Notably, the ACCUs’ Environmental Plantings methodology indicates that native vegetation will be planted and maintained ranging from 25 years to a century, which will provide long term carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits.
Speaking on the investment, La Caisse Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure and Sustainability Emmanuel Jaclot said that it was a timely move in advancing the resilient and climate-smart agriculture in Australia, while also 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,” said Jaclot.
“This initiative represents a long term investment in nature and land-based strategies in Australian agriculture,” said CEFC Head of Natural Capital Heechung Sung.
“By adopting an integrated sustainable land management model, this strategy can produce high-quality agricultural commodities while also increasing biodiversity, improving ecosystems, and earning carbon revenues through the investment in native landscape restoration,” she added.
The platform has already purchased its first asset, which is a broadacre and irrigation farm located in Central Queensland with a size of more than 15,000 hectares.
La Caisse has been increasing its investments in climate solutions, with 2025 marking a new phase within their climate strategy. It has been looking into growing in the categories of low-carbon assets, nature-based solutions, and adaptation and resilience investments.
