Powerful Indigenous voices took centre stage at the 9th Carbon Farming Industry Forum, held in May 2025 by the Carbon Market Institute on Bundjalung Country (Lennox Head), NSW. The event welcomed 330 delegates from across the carbon market sector.

Delivering the Forum’s Indigenous Address, Cr Teddy Bernard, ICIN Director and Deputy Mayor of Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, presented on the Oriners-Sefton Savanna Fire Management Carbon Project. This initiative, the second-largest carbon project on Cape York, generates Indigenous Carbon Credits and is a proud achievement of the Kowanyama community.

Cr Bernard detailed the process of establishing the project and its significant milestones, including the declaration of native title in 2024 and the community’s self-funded purchase of the project land. Inspired by the vision of Kowanyama Elders, the project is managed by the Shire and delivers broad benefits to the community, most notably reconnecting people with Country. A new program is also underway to monitor the project’s biodiversity benefits.

He also outlined the definition of an Indigenous Carbon Credit, as recognised by the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN): a credit generated by Traditional Owners on their own estates, where they maintain a controlling interest. These projects are grounded in principles such as free, prior and informed consent, access and benefit sharing, rights-based approaches, and subsidiarity.

In his address, Cr Bernard emphasised the key drivers of Indigenous carbon projects: collaboration, communication, knowledge sharing, restoring Country, and self-determination through independent revenue and meaningful jobs.

He also spoke about the importance of “right-way” engagement and called for early involvement of Traditional Owners to ensure co-developed projects with clear, mutual benefits.

The Forum also featured a panel session titled ‘Indigenous Carbon & Biodiversity – Opportunities & Right Way, Wrong Way Engagement’, facilitated by ICIN Director Suzanne Thompson, Founder and Managing Director of Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage & Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC).

The panel included:

• Bruce Hammond, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Manager, Bush Heritage Australia

• Leeton Lee, Cultural Practitioner

• Leechelle Hammat, Director, Marlinyu Ghoorlie Aboriginal Corporation

• Keith Close, IPA/Fire Coordinator, Jagun Alliance

This important discussion addressed how Indigenous participants can transition from being stakeholders to shareholders in carbon and nature projects through ownership, operation, and leadership.

Bruce Hammond powerfully captured the session’s theme, stating:

“When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people win, everyone wins.”