Last week was huge!
We are excited to bring you the first report back from the 2026 Savanna Fire Forum and National Indigenous Carbon Forum.
ICIN was proud to host these national events on Larrakia country last week, supported by MC Stan Grant.
It was a privilege to connect with many of you at the forum and to hear about the incredible work you are doing across Australia.
A huge thank you to all who contributed – attendees, sponsors, presenters and working group members. A particular thanks to our Directors and staff team who worked very hard to bring together this event.
Now is an important time to reflect on the inspiring moments and many connections made at the forum. Please see the Forum Media Release, Statement, videos and photos below.
At the forum, Indigenous leaders from across Australia highlighted that it is now a critical time for the Indigenous carbon industry to grow opportunities to recognise the climate benefits of Indigenous land and sea management more fully, and that Indigenous-owned savanna fire management projects are leading the way.
As Stan Grant said – ‘this work is just so positive and growing opportunities for future generations’. With the support of its members, ICIN will continue to follow up the agreed advocacy points in the Forum Statement with Ministers in the coming weeks and months, and keep you updated.
Links to shared presentations and the final video from the forum are to come in the next second forum report.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Communications and Outreach Officer, Tyron Bin Hitam-Keeffe on [email protected].
Anna Boustead
ICIN CEO
STATEMENT FROM THE INDIGENOUS CARBON INDUSTRY
MEDIA RELEASE
27 February 2026
Indigenous carbon project owners delivered a statement to the 2nd annual National Indigenous Carbon Forum (NICF), calling for:
- Greater support for Indigenous-led carbon and nature repair method development,
- An Indigenous-led carbon project start-up fund,
- More time to support Indigenous participation in carbon and nature repair method design,
- Long-term funding support for the North Australian Fire Information Service and the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN), and
- Greater recognition of the right of Indigenous communities to free, prior and informed consent of a carbon project.
Presenting the Statement to the forum on behalf of ICIN on 26 February, Sarah Parriman said:
"Indigenous people have achieved significant success under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme through 43 Indigenous-owned and operated projects currently registered. However, in the past two years alone, over 400 carbon projects have been registered, many conditionally, without consent from Traditional Owners. Greater recognition of Indigenous rights and interests is critical to enabling better to Indigenous participation in the Scheme.”
Proudly hosted by ICIN, the combined 8th Savanna Fire Forum (SFF) and 2nd NICF, ran from 24-26 February, Larrakia country, Darwin.
MC Stan Grant expertly guided participants through the three-day event, which had the theme ‘Strong Roots, Strong Futures’, commenting that:
"It’s really inspiring for me, I feel more optimistic whenever I’m at conferences like this.”
Cissy Gore-Birch OAM opened the Savanna Fire Forum, stating:
"Through the recognition offered in carbon and environmental markets, we have an opportunity to embed our roots deeper, through our savanna fire management and land and sea programs, by practicing self-determination, engaging in supportive partnerships and working together with others to build upon our deep knowledge and experience to support Indigenous leadership of these markets for decades into the future.
“Indigenous carbon projects are creating many new employment opportunities for mob working on Country. They support our Old People, our Elders, to hand down traditional fire knowledge down to next generations and provide an opportunity to reconnect with Country".
“The theme, Strong Roots, Strong Futures is reflected in the evolution of the ICIN, which started out with very little resources, starting with just one 0.6 coordinator in 2018, and has now grown to include 35 member organisations supported by six staff working across Australia.
“We hold a space for informing Indigenous-led discussions about critical policy developments, led by our members. We can’t do this on our own, so we need our allies to work alongside us. We are working at the interface of western policy and science and our own cultural systems. We have come together to be the leaders in this space.”
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Assistant Minister for Emergency Management, addressed the event and responded to questions from the floor.
Senator McCarthy said in her address:
"ICIN's leadership in hosting these forums is central to building a strong, informed and connected carbon industry. These events create opportunities to come together, share experiences, learn and influence the direction of the sector."
“You [Indigenous people] are shaping its future [the Indigenous carbon industry] and ensuring that traditional knowledge remains at the heart of that future. Your communities are showing world-leading climate solutions through connection to Country. These carbon projects reduce emissions, improve biodiversity and strengthen our knowledge so that we can pass this on to our young ones.”
Assistant Minister Josh Wilson MP, who also attended this same event in 2025, delivered the keynote address and attended a closed session with ICIN members and other Indigenous representatives.
In his Keynote Address, Assistant Minister Wilson said:
"I have to give special thanks to ICIN for its vital contribution in organising and running workshops to reflect the primacy of First Nations perspectives on the proposed new methods [in carbon and the nature repair markets]."
“This year we [the Australian Government] intend to settle the legislative scheme reforms that respond to the Chubb Review. As we have committed to do, those changes will see the removal of the option to conditionally register ACCU projects on Native Title lands without having achieved properly informed prior consent.”
“An announcement will be made within the coming months regarding the new Savanna Fire Management methods.”
The forum, attended by 500 people from across Australia, mostly from Indigenous communities, supported critical workshops on:
- New ACCU Scheme savanna fire management methods which account for carbon stored in living plants for the first time.
- A method to extend Savanna Fire Management into the Northern Arid Zone, led by the Indigenous Desert Alliance.
- The draft Integrated Farm and Land Management method, currently under consultation.
- The method led by NAILSMA and the University of Queensland to reduce the disturbance of coastal and floodplain wetlands by managing ungulates.
Other sessions included ‘Rangers supporting rangers: sharing tips for running a fire camp’, ‘Tools for decision making in climate and fire in Australia’, ‘Nature repair market 101’, ‘Environmental Plantings Methods’, ‘Blue Carbon Methods’, ‘Recognising Indigenous rights and interests in carbon’ and many more.
Dr Otto Campion, Cissy Gore-Birch OAM, Dr Dean Yibarbuk, Prof. Ruth Wallace, Dr Teagan Shields, Barry Hunter, Rowan Foley, Suzanne Thompson and Oliver Costello were among key presenters to forum. Over 30 Aboriginal organisations presented on their fire management programs and carbon projects. See the program for further information. See the program for the full list of sessions and speakers.
The forums also welcomed a helicopter on-site, an electric motorbike competition, a music session led by rangers, art sessions led by Danella Lee and two on-country experiences.
Read the full statement the Indigenous Carbon Industry below.
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2026 daily highlight videos
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
News spotlight
Kimberley rangers help shape future of Indigenous fire and carbon sector
Source: National Indigenous Times
Remote rangers in Arnhem Land are battling an invasive plant, but it's not a declared weed.
Source: NT Country Hour
Indigenous fire forum in NT strengthens cultural land management and ranger collaboration
Listen to our Director Dr Dean Yibarbuk speak about the SFF!
Source: SBS News
Photo gallery
Smiles, smiles and more smiles! Find the 2026 Savanna Fire Forum and National Indigenous Carbon Forum photo gallery below.
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