MEDIA ALERT:
Save the date: Tuesday 20th – Thursday 22nd February, 2024; Location: Larrakia Country, Darwin Convention Centre; Event information, plus program
Australia’s leading savanna fire event is next month – the Indigenous-led 6th annual North Australia Savanna Fire Forum
Save the date: Next month’s landmark North Australia Savanna Fire Forum showcases Indigenous leadership in caring for Country and Right Way Fire, and is proudly hosted by the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN).
With increasing global recognition of the success of Australia’s Indigenous fire management carbon programs*, this Forum brings together traditional fire knowledge, latest research and technology solutions to ensure the continued growth of where it all began: the Indigenous carbon industry domestically.
In Australia there are 34 Indigenous owned and run savanna fire management carbon projects abating an average of 1.2 million tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions annually. However, this represents just 2% of all carbon projects registered with the Australian Government.
“Indigenous-led savanna fire carbon projects are not only an effective climate action activity, they also support Traditional Owners to fulfil cultural obligations. These projects provide an important opportunity for First Peoples to re-establish or strengthen their connection to Country,” said Dr Dean Yibarbuk, Co-Chair ICIN and traditional owner of Djinkarr in the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area.**
“Carbon projects owned and run by Indigenous people lead to the best outcomes for climate, Country and people. The North Australia Savanna Fire Forum is designed to encourage increased First Peoples participation in the Indigenous carbon industry,” said Dr Yibarbuk.
The Forum will be attended by hundreds of fire managers, Indigenous land managers, carbon industry practitioners, scientists and policy makers from North Australia and beyond, and facilitates knowledge sharing and improved understanding and practice within the Indigenous carbon industry.
In 2023, the Forum was sold out, with over 30 Indigenous languages groups represented, in what was described as an extraordinary exchange of ideas.
Further information:
ICIN is Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led. ICIN Ltd is an independent, Indigenous-led not-for-profit owned by its Full Members. All Full Members are Indigenous organisations that own carbon projects or directly produce carbon credits. ICIN is governed by a 100% Aboriginal Board of Directors. ICIN’s Board will be at the Forum and available for media interviews.
The Forum is held in partnership with Charles Darwin University (CDU), a partnership that reflects the history of this event; the Forum was launched by the CDU Centre for Bushfire Research in 2019 along with North Australia & Rangelands Fire Information (NAFI), and has been hosted annually by ICIN with support from CDU since 2020.
We thank our valued sponsors, without their support this unique Indigenous-led event would not be possible, they are:
- Gold Level: Government of Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conversation and Attractions, Commonwealth Bank, Norther Territory Government, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Charles Darwin University, The Nature Conservancy Australia;
- Silver Level: Marsh Insurance, Maki Planet Systems, Darwin Convention Centre, Clean Energy Regulator, Gondwana Carbon, Climate Friendly, GreenCollar and Raindance Systems; and
- Bronze Level: Queensland Government, NT Heli-Ops, NAFI, International Savanna Fire Management Initiative, Arnhem Helicopters and CDU’s Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods.
* In 2023, the Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network was founded, it was inspired by His Majesty King Charles III’s interest in linking Australia’s Indigenous fire experts with Canadian experts, and the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative (ISFMI) is working towards revitalising Indigenous fire management around the world.
** Dr Yibarbuk was involved in the formation of Warddeken Land Management in West Arnhem Land, which registered Australia’s first Indigenous savanna fire management carbon project in 2006 using traditional knowledge of savanna burning practices.
Media contact: Clare Price, Communications Manager, [email protected], 0879428151 (Darwin-based office number). Forum passes for media are available.