Yesterday marked an important day for the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) with a long-awaited Bill of amendments introduced into Australia’s Parliament to strengthen integrity in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. 

Indigenous people are leading the best and most recognised carbon projects in Australia. As the peak body representing Indigenous carbon credit producers, ICIN supports this Bill and looks forward to legislation being updated within the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, the law that governs Australia’s carbon market, and has been overdue for an update,” said ICIN CEO, Anna Boustead. 

This Bill will strengthen recognition of Indigenous interests and community engagement requirements in the ACCU Scheme. However, legislative changes must occur alongside increased availability of resources for Indigenous groups contemplating  carbon projects on their country, to effectively implement the intent of these changes,” said Ms Boustead.

A further step this new Bill is taking is recognising registered native title claimants as eligible interest holders of a carbon project. This change will enhance the integrity of the scheme and ensure community engagement in carbon projects. Good agreement making outcomes that are fair and equitable benefit all parties and reduce the risk of future conflict arising," concluded Ms Boustead.

ICIN published its Guidelines to Seeking Free, Prior and Informed Consent from Indigenous communities for a carbon project in 2019 which provides an easy, standardised framework for farmers and carbon service providers to seek consent from Indigenous communities.

ICIN represents 24 Indigenous organisations with carbon projects and 13 Indigenous organisations with an interest in the carbon market. There are currently 41 Indigenous owned and run carbon projects registered with the Clean Energy Regulator, the majority of these are savanna fire management (SFM) projects.

Reach out to ICIN's Communications Manager, Clare Price, via [email protected] or 0879428151, or CEO, Anna Boustead via [email protected] with requests for interview and further information.