Report from the CEO 

Things have been very busy at the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network as it continues to grow from strength to strength thanks to the support and dedication of its members and supporters. This includes fantastic partnerships and collaborations that are contributing to Indigenous-led research and policy development in the carbon industry, creating real empowerment and positive change for Indigenous groups managing their country.

Since its initiation in 2018, the network is now a national Indigenous peak body owned by 26 Indigenous groups that own carbon projects along with several Indigenous land and sea management organisations around Australia with an interest in carbon markets. For me, it has been a real privilege to be working for many inspiring Indigenous leaders and allies across the country over the past five years to bring about positive change and transformative outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Amidst all of this, I am excited to announce that my husband James and I are expecting our third baby in November! The ICIN Board of Directors are currently seeking a suitable person to fill the CEO role for 12 months and continue to service and grow the network. The Board are particularly interested to hear from all those talented people in our broader network who understand the important role the network plays and have been a part of our journey so far. 

Kind regards,
Anna Boustead

ICIN at the Singapore Carbon Market & Investor Forum

Last month ICIN Co-Chair Dean Yibarbuk and CEO Anna Boustead (pictured above together with Claire Lynch of KLC) attended the Singapore Carbon Market Investor Forum hosted by the Carbon Market Institute (CMI). 

Dean presented to the sold out Forum in the plenary session: 'The Business Case for Nature-Based & Indigenous Led Solutions' (top image, and below), sharing his unique and world leading perspective on managing a 100% Indigenous owned and operated savanna fire management carbon project in West Arnhem Land, and setting up Arnhem Land Fire Abatement NT, an Aboriginal-owned company that supports six projects led by nine Indigenous ranger groups across Arnhem Land. 

Dean discussed the direct and indirect benefits from his project: "We are now placing money back into communities, setting up our own ranger companies, setting up new schools with our own money, initiating rock art projects, biodiversity monitoring projects and establishing women ranger programs."

Talking 'Blue' Carbon

ICIN was pleased to attend the Asia-Pacific Blue Carbon Forum hosted by The Nature Conservancy and Great Barrier Reef Foundation on Kabi Kabi Country (Sunshine Coast) in early August. Over three days, expert presenters from across the Australasian region gave insightful summaries of their work to support valuing the benefits of carbon stored in mangroves, seagrass and saltmarsh, or ‘blue carbon’.

ICIN supported a First Nations panel discussion about Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and highlighted the Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide and FPIC Guidelines. We also flagged a new collaborative research project with ICIN, Charles Darwin University and NAILSMA to consider Indigenous interests in the context of emerging markets for blue carbon.

ICIN would like to thank the Traditional Owners who presented on the FPIC panel (below), including:

• Fiona Keighran, Li-anthawirriyarra Sea Rangers (NT)
• Chris Muriata, Girringun Senior Ranger (QLD)
• Brian Warner, Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation (QLD)
• Sonny van Issum, Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation (QLD)
• Jeffrey Newchurch, Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (SA)

And a huge thanks to Rachel Bobir (Murawin) for facilitating the panel for ICIN

NEW Carbon Outreach Project

ICIN is pleased to announce that our submission for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)'s Carbon Farming Outreach Program was successful. This exciting new project will see ICIN co-design, deliver and evaluate training packages and tools for land managers, including First Nations people, to empower them to participate in the carbon industry. We are delivering this project in partnership with The University of Melbourne and IPS Management Consultants.

During the initial consultation period we are seeking First Nations expertise and experience to guide the development of content for the program that is culturally appropriate and accessible for First Nations carbon farming enterprises, and that embeds First Nations perspectives to guide everyone who participates in the program in Caring for Country principles.

Expressions of Interest will open soon for a First Nations Reference Committee. Watch this space!

Carbon Credit (ACCU) Review Implementation

During August, ICIN hosted a series of First Nations consultation workshops to gather feedback on the Carbon Credit Review Recommendations. Thank you to those who participated in the North Western, Eastern and Southern Region workshops. We have circulated the consultation report to attendees for final comments before submitting it to the DCCEEW.

Also please note the DCCEEW have just released an ACCU Review discussion paper. The DCCEEW have advised that they are holding broader public consultations starting next week, in-person and online.  

The Government would like to hear your feedback, but also understands that you may not have time to participate in the public workshops. If possible, ICIN encourages people to attend, to hear what others are saying and to ask DCCEEW representatives directly about anything in the Discussion Paper. DCCEEW is offering a $1000 stipend to anyone who can attend a face-to-face workshop, email [email protected] with any questions.

You are welcome and encouraged to register to attend via the button below.

AER Annual Summit

ICIN is pleased to be attending this year's Australasian Emissions Reduction (AER) Summit, being held in Sydney from 14-15 September. Thanks to the CMI, ICIN will once again host an information booth at the event.

The Summit will feature presentations by ICIN's Co-Chair Cissy Gore Birch, as well as several of our member representatives. Attending the AER Summit is a great way to gain exposure to the mainstream carbon market and showcase your carbon project.

Work for Us!

We are in a recruitment drive! Not only are we advertising for a new CEO (12 month maternity leave position), thanks to some recent successful funding partnerships we are also recruiting for a:

• Business Operations Manager
• Communications Manager 
• Policy Development Manager

All positions are Darwin-based, this is a rolling recruitment process, please help us spread the word, for more information email: [email protected]. 

Wunambal Gaambera Launch Dictionary

Lastly, sharing with you a wonderful story. The Wunambal Gaambera people from north Kimberley have launched a digital language dictionary. “This dictionary is a tool Wunambal Gaambera people can use to ensure language is being maintained, revitalised and renewed through each generation. Wunambal Gaambera people can have this dictionary on their mobile phones,” said Jason Lee, WGAC Senior Project Officer.

https://www.icin.org.au/