Facilitating First Nations people’s participation in environmental markets

Indigenous people are already leading the production of carbon credits by using Indigenous knowledge to manage savanna fire and land restoration activities. A Marine and Coastal Hub project jointly supports Indigenous participation in Blue Carbon markets along with the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN). ICIN is a national industry body and Aboriginal-owned charity representing its members primarily Indigenous land and sea management organisations that own carbon projects. To empower Indigenous communities with better information, legal and consent rights along Australia's coastline have been analysed and mapped ICIN with support from Charles Darwin University and North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA).

The ICIN recent report reveals that First Nations peoples hold legal consent rights to carbon projects across 66% of the coast. Most of this coastline is in northern Australia and is in good condition due to the care taken by Indigenous communities. As such, current carbon credit methods do not align well with these areas.

These methods are designed for ecosystems in decline and in need of improvement. The report suggests several steps to tackle these challenges:

• It recommends that the government grant Indigenous groups the right to own and sell carbon in coastal areas. This includes places where the Crown may have interests.
• It highlights the need for meaningful Indigenous consultation and engagement in carbon projects.
• It recommends creating suitable carbon methods for the Indigenous estate.

These recommendations aim to increase Indigenous participation in the Blue Carbon market. They also ensure that Blue Carbon projects support both environmental and cultural sustainability. “Indigenous knowledge and stewardship are vital for the success of Blue Carbon projects,” said Sarah Parriman, a Board Director of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network.

Charles Darwin University is leading this project with partner organisations NAILSMA and ICIN.

An interactive map is available on the Seamap Australia website.