Having rights in relation to a carbon project gives Indigenous organisations a seat at the table to negotiate the type of project or outcome that works for them.
Recognising that land was never ceded, the Carbon ACCU Scheme Map identifies Indigenous rights and interests recognised under the Australian Government ACCU Scheme, as defined in the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015.
ICIN's analysis indicates that Indigenous people are responsible for managing and making decisions regarding carbon projects across approximately 59% of Australia's landmass, including the right to own and run a project over 28% of land and can refuse consent (say no or veto) to a project over 31% of land.
This means that with the right policy settings, methods, and free, prior and informed consent practices being embedded, Indigenous people will continue to play a leading role in Australia's carbon industry.
This map and legend are based on ICIN analysis and interpretation, 2025, version one.
The Nature Repair Market Scheme (Nature Repair Market) is a Commonwealth Government Scheme established to provide a framework for individuals and organisations to do nature repair projects. A Nature Repair Market project protects and restores the environment and generates a certificate that can be sold on the market. The Nature Repair Market started in early 2025 and is governed by the Nature Repair Act 2023 and Nature Repair (Biodiversity Assessment) Instrument 2025. The market, while operational, is still in an early phase of development.
As of August 2025, there is only one nature repair method, Replanting Native Forest and Woodland Ecosystems, and it doesn't apply to large areas of Northern Australia. ICIN is working with member organisations such as the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) and the Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) to develop methods relevant to ICIN members, this includes the Introduced Hooved Animal Management method and the Indigenous fire management method.
The Nature Repair Market offers a significant opportunity for Indigenous land and sea managers to place an economic value on their work to care for their Country, particularly as Indigenous people hold significant rights and interests to land and sea. Having rights in relation to a nature repair project gives Indigenous groups and organisations a seat at the table to negotiate the type of project or outcome that works for them. This includes how and when they want to participate, to what extent the project draws on their traditional and cultural knowledge and how this knowledge is or isn’t shared.
Recognising that land was never ceded, the 'ICIN Nature Repair Map 2025' identifies Indigenous rights and interests recognised under the Nature Repair Market Scheme. Indigenous rights have been grouped into classes based on the relative ‘strength’ of that right. The Nature Repair Market legislation recognises additional Indigenous rights and interests compared to the ACCU Scheme, this includes recognising rights in areas with an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) or a native title claim.
ICIN's analysis indicates that Indigenous people are responsible for making decisions regarding nature repair projects across approximately 71% of Australia's landmass, including the ability to refuse consent (say no or veto) to projects across 59% of land (Classes 1-3), and the right to be 'appropriately engaged' across an additional 18% of land (Classes 4 and 5).
With the right policy settings, methods, and support, Indigenous people have the opportunity to be leaders in the Nature Repair Market.
This map and legend are based on ICIN analysis and interpretation, 2025, version one.
Note: The dataset underlying this map is based primarily on publicly available spatial data, complemented by private information sources. It is acknowledged that there may be some errors in the dataset and that Indigenous land and sea interests are broader than what is presented in the dataset. Further, due to the scale of the analysis, the data should not be relied upon for accuracy at a local or project-level scale.
This may also be a useful resource: Native Title Visualisation Tool.
Climate change
Australia's National Climate Risk Assessment shows how different regions of Australia will experience different impacts from climate change.
The Indigenous Desert Alliance created an animation detailing how human activities are the main driver of climate change.
ICIN's Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide chapter What is Climate Change?
Report 'First Peoples voices on climate change at the national level', published August 2023.
Report 'First Nations Engagement in the Transition to Net Zero', published August 2025.
Australia's Carbon Industry
ICIN's Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide chapter ACCU Scheme overview.
Australian Government's Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, learn about the scheme that supports carbon projects.
Carbon Market Institute (CMI) is the peak industry body, providing information a guidance for participating in the carbon industry.
Code of Conduct for the carbon industry in Australia. Overseen by the CMI, this is a voluntary code which seeks to encourage best practice in the carbon industry, including a complaints process.
QLD Government's Land Restoration Fund (LRF) provides support for Queenslanders.
Carbon methods
Kimberley Land Council has developed a step-by-step guide to help Indigenous communities understand the carbon market and the savanna carbon farming methods.
ALFA NT showcases projects on their website.
The Clean Energy Regulator's video about savanna fire management, the method and benefits.
The QLD Government showcases a successful Blue Carbon Tidal Restoration project.
Australian Government information on developing new methods.
ICIN's Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide chapter Carbon Counting Methods.
ICIN's 'Mapping the Opportunities for Indigenous Carbon in Australia' report.
ICIN's 'Blue Carbon in Australia' report, understanding the opportunity for Indigenous people.
Co-benefits
Core Benefits Verification Framework developed by the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation.
ICIN's Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide chapter Understanding Co-Benefits.
Rights and interests
ICIN's Rights and Interests factsheet.
ICIN's Seeking free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous communities for carbon projects guide sets out best practice for carbon project developers.
ICIN's Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide chapter Indigenous Rights and Interests.
The Clean Energy Regulator's Native title, legal right and eligible interest-holder consent guidance.
The Clean Energy Regulator's Legal right expectations and evidence requirements under the ACCU Scheme video.
Nature Repair Market
ICIN's Nature Repair Market factsheet.
The Clean Energy Regulator's information on the Nature Repair Market scheme.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's information on methods within the Nature Repair Market.
Training courses
Through the Australian Government's Carbon Farming Outreach Program ICIN has developed tailored first nations resources, with each education module mirroring the chapters of the Indigenous Carbon Projects Guide.
Aboriginal Carbon Foundation provides a 5-day training course in Aboriginal Carbon Farming and Core Benefits Management targeted at Indigenous ranger groups.
