The ICIN has been engaged by the Clean Energy Regulator to facilitate better Indigenous engagement in co-design of new carbon methods. Our new ICIN Project Co-ordinator for Method Development, Toni Hay, is overseeing this project.
There are three methods currently in development:
- Savanna Fire Management Methods (2023)
- Integrated Farm Management Method (2023)
- Feral Herbivore Method
Savanna Fire Management Methods (2023)
This method was announced as a priority of development in October 2021, with the initial method scoping and planning completed by March 2022. Co-design workshops were held in March and July, with technical and expert consultation undertaken in June, July and August 2022.
The ICIN provided its recommendations based on the two workshops held by ICIN earlier in the year, which was circulated to ICIN Members. We also supported visits and meetings with representatives from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) in Darwin, Katherine, and the Broome region, supported by the Jawoyn Rangers and the Kimberley Land Council.
Following a visit by ERF business team members in July, CER Assistant Manager, Jamie Machin said:
“It was a fantastic opportunity to see the savanna burning up close. We had the opportunity to visit sites involved in the current savanna methods under the ERF and to talk through the new 2023 savanna method.
“One of the highlights of the trip was seeing how passionate people are about the benefits of early dry season burning, both for the environment and local First Nations peoples and culture.”
The Draft Method has now been released for early consultation, and we are awaiting advice regarding a briefing on what the new carbon accounting tool, SavCam, will look like.
The CER timeline for completing the development process is:
- ERAC consideration for consultation scheduled September 2022
- Public consultation to be held October 2022
- Refinement and draft finalisation to be undertaken November and December 2022
- ERAC decision for approval scheduled February 2023
- Minister approval scheduled February 2023
Integrated Farm Management Method (2023)
This method was announced as a priority of development in October 2021, with the initial method scoping and planning completed by April 2022. A scoping workshop was held by the Clean Energy Regulator on 3 March 2022, and the co-design process continued through workshops held between April and June.
Technical and expert consultation will be undertaken from May to September 2022. The ICIN/CER workshop regarding the IFM Method held in mid-August was well attended. A key issue was raised regarding a failure of the current draft method to recognize the carbon rights of both Native Title holders and Native Title claimants.
An email was circulated to ICIN Members for further information, and we are seeking further advice from key land councils. We will provide an update and circulate a draft submission further input in the near future.
The CER timeline for completing the IFM Method development process is:
- Public consultation to be undertaken October 2022
- Refinement and draft finalisation to be undertaken November and December 2022
- ERAC decision for approval scheduled February 2023
- Minister approval scheduled February 2023
Feral Herbivore Method
ICIN is supporting a working group informing development of these methods, which is being led by Mimal Land Management, Karrkad Kandji Trust/Warddeken Land Management, Wunambal Gaambera AC, Arafura Swamp Rangers AC and NAILSMA.
To complement this work, ICIN supported a visit by the National Soil Advocate, the Honourable Penny Wensley, to Weemol to meet with Mimal Rangers and Directors. Penny was able to observe the work Mimal is doing to protect Weemol Spring from buffalo and observe widespread damage to country by buffalo from the air.