Conservation Economy

The development of a conservation economy is based on using natural resources on Aboriginal land in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the Traditional Owners and regional economy. Below are different projects that will build a conservation economy on Aboriginal lands.

National Indigenous Climate Change forum

Centrefarm played host to the National Indigenous Climate Change (NICC) forum in Alice Springs 30-31 March 2011.

The forum brought together Indigenous, corporate and government leaders from across the nation to contribute to developing the NICC opportunities  roadmap.

The NICC will build on the work and support of the RIRDC, CSIRO, Desert Knowledge Australia and Monash Uni  in the areas of Indigenous carbon property rights, commercial markets and emerging industry requirements.

At the conclusion of the NICC forum a communique was developed to commicate the concerns and aspirations of the over 50 Indigenous participants.

Aboriginal Carbon Fund

The sustainable economic development  of Aboriginal lands through carbon sequestration (e.g.planting trees) and carbon abatement (e.g. fire management) has the potential to create regional economies in rural and remote areas that contribute to the well-being of the people and country.

In late 2008 Centrefarm commissioned the Biocarbon Sequestration on Aboriginal Lands in the NT Central Australian Natural Resource Management Regions report that was finalised in February 2009.

Centrefarm held a regional workshop Aboriginal Carbon Fund with a range of industry professionals, researchers and CLC to further explore the concept in April 2010.

The Aboriginal Carbon Fund (ABN: 131 464 138 09) was registered on the 17 September 2010 as a not-for-profit company that will buy and sell carbon credits generated on Aboriginal lands by Aboriginal people in Australia.

When a domestic emissions trading scheme is in place in the near future the fund will be well placed to trade in this commodity, in the meantime international and voluntary schemes are the only markets available.

The Nous Group released the Outback Carbon Report in 2010 to inform Governments, companies and the general public about the hugh potential of carbon stored in regional and remote Australia.

Bioil

The formation of the company Bioil Pty Ltd is designed to advance the development of bio-oil crops for the production of commercial fuel.

Approximately 200 ha of land is being developed in Central Australia to grow a suitable oil bearing plant that will form the basis of an aviation fuel.

Wildlife Farming and Game Reserves

Research is being undertaken into the field of farming domestic and exotic rare and endangered wildlife. The breeding of Mala hare wallabies at Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park demonstrates how endangered wildlife can be returned to living in healthy populations on Aboriginal land.

When land is being used to run cattle then it is generally suitable to run other exotic grazing animals that can generate better income returns, reduce grazing pressure and improve land condition. This promotes sustainable development by utilising wildlife to support conservation and eco-tourism options on Aboriginal lands.