New multimillion dollar funding for Aboriginal carbon farming

The Queensland Government today announced $8.4 million to facilitate and expand the carbon farming industry in the state.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the Queensland Carbon Plus Fund will create jobs for Traditional Owners to plant trees, rehabilitate native vegetation and manage fire regimes to deliver important environmental, social and cultural benefits in Indigenous communities

Speaking before a visit to the Great Barrier Reef Dr Miles said the carbon farming was one part of the Queensland government strategy to reduce carbon emissions.

"Queensland needs to do its fair share to address climate change. This is a good example of how reducing carbon emissions can create jobs and have other benefits," he said.

"The market for offsets will greatly increase in coming decades, and by investing early we can make sure Queensland has a mature market ready for future investment.

Dr Miles said the carbon credits generated from the fund would first be used offset the emissions from the Queensland Government car fleet.

“The benefits of this fund will include carbon abatement projects, indigenous economic development and employment and environmental management.

Dr Miles said payments from the fund would see Traditional Owners receiving a financial return for caring for their land.

“Overall, we want Queensland landholders to benefit from the opportunities that will come as we work towards achieving the targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

“The Queensland Carbon Plus Fund will stimulate regional economies and create jobs in rural and regional Queensland.

“The new Queensland Carbon Plus Fund is part of our overall strategy to ensure we transition to a low-carbon future and take advantage of the new jobs and industries that will be established to effect this transition,”Dr Miles said.

ENDS

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