On June 16th, Members of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) travelled to Meanjin (Brisbane) to present at the International Congress on Conservation Biology, sharing innovative approaches to Indigenous-led carbon projects with conservation professionals from around the world.
The Network delivered a symposium titled "Indigenous Carbon Industry Research Updates: For People and Planet," highlighting how Traditional Owners are leading transformative conservation efforts across Australia.
Anna Boustead, CEO, ICIN, opened the session by introducing ICIN's history, membership, and critical role in advocating for Indigenous leadership in the carbon industry.
Country-Led Success Stories
Teddy Bernard from Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council presented the Oriners-Sefton Carbon Project, a community-owned initiative born from the vision of local Elders. The project demonstrates how carbon initiatives can deliver multiple benefits beyond emissions reduction, including bringing people back to Country while creating opportunities in biodiversity conservation, cattle management, and ecotourism.
Sade Popoola from the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) showcased the region's impressive conservation network, including 20 Ranger groups operating across the Kimberley. The North Kimberley Fire Abatement Project, established in 2014 through collaboration between four Native Title Groups – Dambimangari, Wilinggin, Wunambal Gaambera and Balanggarra – exemplifies successful Indigenous-led fire management. Collectively, KLC's six registered carbon projects have avoided 950,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions since establishment.
Supporting Indigenous Leadership
Bridie Velik-Lord from the Northern Land Council shared on Indigenous rights and interests in carbon in the Northern Territory and emphasised the unique nature of Indigenous-led carbon projects, stating that
"Traditional Owners must have the space and support to develop their projects in ways that suit them."
She highlighted ICIN's critical role in ensuring Aboriginal people can engage effectively in all aspects of project development.
The symposium also featured Professor Catherine Lovelock, from the School of Environment at the University of Queensland, who presented new methodology for managing introduced hooved animals (ungulates). This collaborative approach, developed with the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd (NAILSMA) and ICIN alongside government, NGO and industry partners, aims to reduce the environmental impact of feral animals like buffalo and pigs on sensitive wetland ecosystems.
The presentations reinforced ICIN's mission to support Indigenous communities in developing carbon projects that deliver environmental, cultural, and economic benefits while maintaining Traditional Owner agency and self-determination.