The Indigenous carbon industry is a major emerging industry which has rapidly expanded from the successful West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement project launched in 2006 to 35 savanna fire projects across northern Australia, including the Northern Territory, the Kimberley in Western Australia, and Far North Queensland. This Indigenous-led industry has grown out of the recognition that traditional fire management could be a valuable tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving biodiversity. It pre-dates the Federal Government Emissions Reduction Scheme, which was launched in 2013-14.

ICIN Steering Committee established in 2018

At a regional industry group meeting at the inaugural Savanna Fire & Carbon Forum in 2018, industry members identified a key gap in the coordination of Indigenous carbon projects across north Australia. As a result, an interim ICIN Steering Committee was established in March 2018, under agreed Terms of Reference. The aim of the Steering Committee to provide a point of contact for knowledge sharing and policy advice to enable Indigenous land managers to participate fully in emerging carbon industries with a good understanding of its associated risks and benefits.

The interim ICIN Steering Committee, comprising network members, guided the strategy and direction of the ICIN during the establishment phase of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network from 2018 to 2021 whilst more formal governance structures were put into place. Special thanks to its members:

• Kimberley Land Council (Kristina Koenig)
• ALFA Ltd (Jennifer Ansell)
• Tiwi Land Council (the late Mr Rioli)
• Northern Land Council (Matt Salmon)
• Warddeken Land Management (Shaun Ansell)
• Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (Jonathan Green)
• Wunambal Gaambera AC (Tom Vigilante)

Our company, ICIN Ltd, was registered in 2021

Following three years of consultation with members, including direct input from over 20 Indigenous organisations across north Australia, the company ICIN Ltd was registered on 21 September 2021. The ICIN is incorporated as a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity with the following subtypes:

• Advancing education
• Advancing social or public welfare
• Advancing culture
• Advancing the natural environment
• Public benevolent institution (PBI)

The ICIN Constitution was last amended at the Extraordinary General Meeting of members on 14 February 2022.

Thank you to our supporters

We are grateful for the support of our interim Steering Committee and funders; the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Northern Territory Government, Queensland Government, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, and The Nature Conservancy. We are also grateful to Warddeken Land Management Ltd for its in-kind support in hosting the ICIN during its formation.

The success in northern Australia is the result of sustained and arduous on-ground work by a range of landowners and managers. Of greatest significance is the fire management from Indigenous community-based ranger groups, which has led to one of the most significant greenhouse gas emissions reduction practices in Australia. - Rohan Fisher, Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, Charles Darwin University