Queensland hosts national carbon farming forum

The benefits of carbon farming in reducing emissions and tackling climate change are being discussed today at a forum in Brisbane.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch today opened the Second Carbon Farming Industry Forum, where groups including agricultural leaders, Traditional Owners, landholders and businesses are gathering to discuss carbon credits and offsets.

Minister Enoch said the Carbon Farming Industry Forum explored pathways for businesses and landholders to grow Queensland’s carbon farming industry.

Carbon farming involves the management of vegetation, land, animals, soil and fire, to store carbon and avoid greenhouse gas emissions being released.

“We know the estimated value of carbon farming in Queensland under current settings is $4.7 billion, and that it could be worth $8 billion to Queensland by 2030,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Palaszczuk Government sees the emerging carbon farming industry as an opportunity to generate new job and revenue sources for rural and regional communities, while opening up new markets and delivering significant environmental outcomes for the state.

“Queensland has tremendous potential to act as a source of high quality carbon credits both nationally and globally, because of our landscape’s capacity to sequester carbon, and the skill and expertise of our land managers.

“Carbon farming also has a role to play in helping Queensland reach our target of zero net emissions by 2050.”

Last year, the Palaszczuk Government hosted the first Carbon Farming Industry Summit, which started the conversation on how Queensland - and Australia as a whole - can capitalise on the increasing demand for carbon offsets.

“This year’s Forum comes as the Palaszczuk Government initiates our $500 million Land Restoration Fund, which will provide additional growth opportunities to the state’s emerging carbon farming industry,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Land Restoration Fund facilitates land sector projects that store carbon or avoid carbon emissions and create additional revenue streams for landholders.

“Under the Land Restoration Fund, the environmental, social and economic co-benefits of carbon farming projects will be valued.

“The Fund will also ensure the protection of Queensland’s biodiversity, prevent soil erosion and run-off, enhance water quality and with it help protect the Great Barrier Reef, and support Traditional Owner land management techniques.”

The Second Carbon Farming Industry Forum is supported by the Queensland Government and facilitated by the Carbon Market Institute. 

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