COP31 spotlight: Success of Australia's Indigenous Carbon Industry

Please register for these events if you are going to be at COP31. These events will not be live-streamed, they are in-person only. If you are attending, please add these events to your calendar. We look forward to seeing you there.

3:00pm – 3:45pm

ALFA presents: Indigenous climate leadership through carbon markets

ALFA will host the premiere of the trailer for an upcoming feature-length documentary showcasing the Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (ALFA) program - one of the world's leading examples of Indigenous climate leadership at scale. The documentary tells the story of how Traditional Owners have combined thousands of years of cultural knowledge with modern science, technology and carbon markets to deliver globally significant climate outcomes while strengthening culture, communities and Country. The screening will be followed by a panel featuring Indigenous leaders from Australia and the Pacific, exploring the role of Traditional Knowledge in addressing climate change, the importance of high-integrity carbon markets, and the policy and investment settings needed to expand Indigenous-led climate solutions.

Speakers:

1. Jamie Yibarbuk, Maningrida Traditional Owner, Director ALFA

2. Adrian Enright, Chief Commercial Officer ALFA

3. Alfred Ralifo, Pacific Conservation Director, WWF-Pacific

4. Cissy Gore-Birch OAM, Co-Chair Indigenous Carbon Industry Network

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Indigenous Carbon Industry Network presents: Solutions for a just transition through Indigenous empowerment

This panel will showcase how Australia's Indigenous carbon industry is supporting a just transition while strengthening adaptation and resilience, using carbon markets to financially reward the caring of Country through Indigenous-led carbon projects. Hear firsthand from Indigenous leaders about their carbon projects and how they are creating meaningful employment and training pathways for young Indigenous rangers to return to Country. By combining Indigenous knowledge with carbon methodologies, projects deliver environmental, cultural and economic outcomes while reducing emissions. Australian Indigenous-owned carbon projects enable community self-determination and strengthen the capacity and capability of Indigenous people to heal country from the impacts of colonisation and to adapt to climate change. The panel will also highlight the importance of carbon methodologies that are informed by Indigenous climate knowledge. Through embedding Indigenous caring for Country knowledge and practices into carbon methodologies and activities, these projects reduce emissions while strengthening culture, create employment for Indigenous people in remote places on Country and enhance access to Country and intergenerational exchange of cultural knowledge between old people and young people. Australia's Indigenous carbon industry is made up of 46 Indigenous-owned & managed carbon projects that abate around one million tonnes of emissions each year. Most operate under the Savanna Fire Management methodology – a method developed in partnership with Indigenous leaders. The panel will also highlight ICIN's work supporting Indigenous organisations to understand their rights and interests in carbon and negotiate strong agreements.

Speakers:

1. Dr Dean Yibarbuk (Djinkarr), ICIN Co-Chair, Chair of Warddeken Land Management Limited and Co-Chair of Karrkad Kanjdji Trust.

2. Cissy Gore-Birch OAM (Jaru/Kija), ICIN Co-Chair, Advisory Committee of the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative (ISFMI) and inaugural Co-Chair of the Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network.

3. Anna Boustead, ICIN CEO

4. Suzanne Thompson (Iningai), ICIN Director, Managing Director Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage & Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC).