Indigenous Carbon Industry Network

Overview

The Queensland Government funds the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) to develop and share resources, information and events that support First Nations participation in carbon farming.

ICIN is a peak body representing Indigenous-owned organisations delivering carbon farming projects across north Australia. In partnership with the Queensland Government and several other state and federal agencies, ICIN is delivering capacity-building and education projects aiming to achieve the following outcomes:

• Indigenous groups are supported to make informed decisions about carbon projects
• the Indigenous-led carbon industry is supported to grow, enabling more jobs and opportunities for Indigenous people
• Indigenous-owned carbon projects are recognised and promoted.

Outcomes

Since 2020, this work has included:

• development of an Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide
• delivery of training sessions and workshops for Traditional Owners
• funding for forums and events for Indigenous carbon practitioners
• development of a marketing and branding guide for Indigenous carbon projects.

Kickstarting the market grants program

The Queensland Government supported the Kickstarting the Market projects that built future participation in the Land Restoration Fund (LRF). These projects enable market growth for carbon and other ecosystem services. All Kickstarting the Market projects have been completed during 2020 to 2024.

Noteworthy projects involving First Nations communities and peoples include the following.

Kickstarting action in carbon, culture, ecology and economies in Cape York

Overview

This project developed a feasibility report and governance structure for an aggregated carbon project across 14 properties in the Normanby Catchment, which accounted for the cultural and biodiversity co-benefits of savanna burning.

Outcomes

• The project used spatial analysis to suggest areas where an aggregated carbon project with co-benefits in the Normanby Basin was worth further investigation.
• An aggregated savanna burning project would allow greater participation in carbon farming. However, the report concluded that the cost and feasibility of coordinating multiple entities pose a challenge.
• Engagement meetings and workshops were held to increase knowledge of carbon farming within the Indigenous land management groups in the Normanby Basin.
• Accredited fire training was also provided for the Rinyirru Aboriginal Corporation and Melsonby Rangers to enable them to undertake fire management activities, including cultural burning in Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land National Parks (CYPAL NP). This training will facilitate greater involvement of Indigenous rangers in fire management activities in future.

Strategic analysis of Cape York Peninsula fire patterns

Overview

The project involved a strategic analysis of Cape York Peninsula (CYP) fire patterns to increase carbon abatement through optimised regional-scale management.

Outcomes

• An analysis of the additional Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) that could be available through more effective fire management across CYP was conducted.
• The analysis included identifying locations with the greatest potential for emission reduction and areas where regional cooperation could make projects economical.
• An ACCU forecasting tool was developed to assess the benefits of existing and prospective savanna burning projects in CYP.
• Optimisation strategies were identified to increase ACCUs in two project areas:
• Merepah Station
• Wik Lands.
• A workshop was conducted to seek input on the analysis involving the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), APN, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), Natural Carbon and Balkanu.

Catalysing Action Grants program

The Catalysing Action Grants program supports on-the-ground projects that demonstrate the delivery of carbon abatement alongside measurable environmental, socio-economic and First Nations co-benefits.

Noteworthy projects involving indigenous communities and peoples include the following.

Murra Yambangku Carbon Project

Overview

The Murra Yambangku Carbon Project seeks to build the capacity of First Nations people to deliver carbon farming projects, mainly through human-induced vegetation regeneration.

The project:

• is delivered by the Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC), located in Central Western Queensland
• aims to demonstrate cultural, economic, social and environmental benefits on a grazing property in western Queensland in partnership with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.

Tradition meets innovation – Gidarjil Development Corporation Carbon Project Alliance

Overview

The Gidarjil Development Corporation delivers this project, which aims to trial a collective approach to carbon farming using traditional mosaic and fire-stick farming to regenerate native forests and control non-native species on three properties in the Burnett Mary Catchment.

This project is a partnership with the Burnett Mary Regional Group, NRM Regions Queensland, and the Central Queensland University.

Blue Heart Sunshine Coast Project

The Blue Heart Sunshine Coast Project is an innovative partnership between the Sunshine Coast Council, Unitywater and the department, operating under a Memorandum of Understanding.

The project aims to:

• manage the tidal transition as sea levels rise
• provide positive environmental, economic and community outcomes.

The Sunshine Coast Council partners with the Traditional Owners of the land, the Kabi Kabi people, to ensure that the project recognises and strengthens their knowledge, cultural connection and cultural values.

More information about the project is available in this case study: A new Blue Heart for the Sunshine Coast | State of the Environment Report 2024