There is a consistent, negative discourse in the media about problematic carbon projects and this creates a sense of distrust and unwillingness to engage. However, Australian development actors are actually uniquely placed to engage in carbon markets through advocacy or implementation. Arguably, we have a responsibility to learn more, and to support our partners in government and communities to benefit from these markets.   The panel will unpack the role that carbon markets can play in mobilising climate finance, starting with the proposition that carbon projects can offer significant benefits to nature, climate, and communities when done right. Panellists will unpack the necessary enabling conditions to realise those benefits – as well as situations when carbon projects should not be considered. They will interrogate how high integrity project developers and brokers/sellers of credits should operate, how development actors can be involved and incentivise that behaviour, and how governments in the Melanesian Pacific can mandate that behaviour. They will explore lessons that carbon projects continue to offer for national regulatory settings regarding carbon policy in the region. We will hear from WWF Australia and Sustineo, who have, together, rolled out a research and learning program focused on carbon markets in the Pacific. This program was co-created by actors ranging from a First Nations carbon farming organisation in Australia, through to international NGOs and local CBOs in the Pacific. We will also hear from Edard Pollard, a leader in a community based conservation organisation in Malaita, Solomon Islands. Edgar is coordinating the development of a carbon project with a tribal association and has many practical lessons and stories to share.  The presentations will speak to the complexities of developing a high integrity carbon projects in a way that practitioners unfamiliar with carbon terminology can engage with, and the panel will build a case for development actors to lean in. This panel session will involve short presentations to explain the work of each panellist, as well as their insights into carbon market projects in Melanesia.  The panel will then address key questions regarding project development and the enabling environment for carbon markets. We hope that attendees will engage deeply in the discussion and present some challenging questions to the panel.