Carbon credits scheme missing threatened species mark

A carbon emissions scheme is failing to help threatened species most in need of habitat protection. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Most of the habitat of Australia's threatened species isn't being protected by a federal government scheme designed to reduce carbon emissions or store carbon.

The first national assessment of the Australian Carbon Credit Units Scheme (ACCU) by James Cook University researchers shows species most in need of habitat protection are least likely to get it.