Tender awarded for services to enhance Aboriginal participation in Queensland carbon farming

Environment Minister Steven Miles today announced Aboriginal Carbon Fund (AbCF) had been chosen to deliver carbon farming projects that will create jobs in Aboriginal communities. 

Minister Miles said AbCF would undertake a range of initiatives, including developing a co-benefit verification standard for carbon farming on Aboriginal land, providing accredited training courses and associated workshops for Aboriginal communities, and establishing a carbon fund to address the gap in the supply and demand sides of Aboriginal carbon credits. 

"The activities that AbCF will deliver will not only support communities with carbon farming projects, they will also create important employment opportunities," Mr Miles said. 

"We are particularly excited about the development of an Aboriginal carbon farming co-benefit standard, which will result in projects that achieve significant cultural, social and environmental benefits being recognised and valued by buyers of Aboriginal carbon credits. 

"AbCF will also establish an office in Cairns to provide stronger links with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Corporations, research bodies, local councils and government agencies in the region.

"AbCF has significant experience working on successful carbon projects, with a focus on working in remote areas with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal organisations, and one of the first actions will be to host a workshop in Injinoo," he said. 

General Manager of AbCF Rowan Foley said, "Developing a sustainable carbon farming industry on Aboriginal lands across far north Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria is an exciting project that will support real jobs on country. 

"It will help generate new income streams through corporate Australia buying carbon credits in the voluntary market, and enable the government to meet its priorities," Mr Foley said. 

Mr Miles said the capacity building work being undertaken by AbCF was part of the Queensland Government's $8.4 million CarbonPlus Fund, announced late last year. 

"The CarbonPlus fund will enable Aboriginal participation in carbon markets and fund the purchase of carbon credits to offset emissions from the Queensland Government vehicle fleet," he said. 

"Through the CarbonPlus Fund, government will prioritise the purchase of carbon credits from carbon abatement projects that deliver environment, social, cultural or economic benefits in indigenous communities. 

"By building capacity in Aboriginal communities as well as creating demand for offsets, we aim to provide greater support for Aboriginal communities to undertake carbon farming projects and realise the environmental benefits and economic opportunities that the carbon farming industry in Queensland provides," Mr Miles said.

Individuals and organisations who would like more information on AbCF's work may contact Rowan Foley on 0427 013 318 or rowan@abcfund.com.au. 

ENDS

Media: Katharine Wright 0422 580 342