Carbon offsetting opportunities for Indigenous landholders

Currently, carbon emissions trading in Australia is a voluntary market rather than a Government-administered cap-and-trade scheme. There is, however, significant corporate interest in offsetting CO2 emissions by buying carbon credits from designated sellers. Fire management in northern Australia. Image courtesy of NAILSMA.

So, what does this mean for Indigenous people? How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander landholders get involved in the carbon economy?

Many Indigenous landholders may be well placed to take advantage of the current corporate and political drive to offset carbon emissions through certain land management practices.

Some methods of carbon offsetting - including dry-season fire abatement in Northern Australia and forestry management elsewhere - may be of particular interest to Indigenous Australians through the potential for traditional environmental knowledge to be used (see NAILSMA web site link below).

The carbon economy landscape is constantly changing, and there is a risk that unwary landholders may be lured into unfavourable schemes by misleading or inadequate information. The ILC encourages all Indigenous landholders to research potential opportunities thoroughly, exercise caution in any financial dealings, and to seek independent advice.

Useful Links

NOTE: The ILC does not necessarily endorse the views expressed by the following sites. It provides these links to help Indigenous landholders determine their own best approach.

Governmental agencies

The Australian Government has committed to introducing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme by 2011 as the main mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Australian Government released a White Paper on Monday 15 December 2008, outlining the Government's final design of the scheme and the medium-term, target range for reducing carbon pollution.

The White Paper is available online at: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/publications/cprs/white-paper/cprs-whitepaper.aspx

The Government is committed to creating a prosperous low-pollution economy in which Australia's environment is protected. The Department of Climate Change website is the Government's main portal for information about CO2 emissions: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/

The Caring for our Country program funds environmental management programs throughout Australia. It supports communities, farmers and other land managers to protect the natural environment through sustainable practices.

The FarmReady program is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the ILC and funds training courses for agricultural producers, with a focus on helping farmers improve productivity and manage climate change.

The FarmReady Program Administrator now has an agreement with the ILC. The ILC will consider sponsoring Indigenous land managers for approved FarmReady courses. The ILC will pay the training provider for the course and associated costs of each approved participant and then claim the reimbursement from FarmReady. Under ILC Sponsorship, Indigenous Land Managers are eligible for an additional $500 for course costs. Please refer to Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) Sponsorship of FarmReady Courses - Instructions to Training Providers.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's peak scientific body. It undertakes extensive research into fire management in the tropical savannas of northern Australia.

Landcare is a community, government and business partnership committed to active and practical environmental protection and reparation.

Intergovernmental bodies

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the leading body for the assessment of climate change, established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences.

Non-governmental and private sector organisations

The North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) is an alliance between the Kimberley Council, Northern Land Council, Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Balkanu Cape York development Corporation.  NAILSMA supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and sea management using strategic approaches to care for country with an emphasis on practical management by Traditional Owners across north Australia.

Greening Australia is committed to protecting and restoring the health, diversity and productivity of Australia's unique landscapes.

KPMG is an international professional services and advisory company. The economic effects of climate change and carbon trading are the subject of much of their recent research.

CPA Australia has also undertaken a number of studies relating to the changing carbon economy and associated Government policy.

Carbon House provides FarmReady-approved training courses relating to the impact of climate change on businesses, including some with a specific focus on Indigenous land managers.

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