THE HON SIMON CREAN MP
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
SENATOR THE HON JOE LUDWIG
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Innovation
MEDIA RELEASE
BURNING OPPORTUNITY FOR CARBON CREDITS
Indigenous land managers and farmers in northern Australia will now be able to generate revenue for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through savanna fire management.
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Simon Crean, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, today announced the latest Carbon Farming Initiative methodology.
Using the savanna burning methodology, Indigenous land managers and farmers will shift the timing of savanna burning to earlier in the dry season and reduce the area burnt. This reduces the amount of fuel burnt, which reduces emissions of methane and nitrous oxide – potent greenhouse gases.
Mr Crean said, “moving to a cleaner future is not only good for the environment – it’s good for our economy.
“The savanna burning methodology marks a significant milestone in the sustainable economic development of northern Australia and complements the work of the Northern Australia Ministerial Forum (NAMF).
“Carbon farming opens up a myriad of opportunities across the three northern jurisdictions, a matter discussed when the Forum met in Mount Isa last December,” Mr Crean said.
Mr Ludwig said, “the Carbon Farming Initiative offers opportunities for farmers and landholders to take economic benefit for their carbon abatement activities.
“I’m pleased to see the savanna burning methodology approved, providing another opportunity for those in northern Australia,” Mr Ludwig said.
Mr Dreyfus said, “ the methodology will enable Indigenous land managers and farmers in northern Australia to use traditional fire management practices to create jobs and sustainable incomes ‘on country’.
“Projects like these, and others to be developed under the CFI, show the potential for jobs creation through activities to address climate change,” Mr Dreyfus said.
The savanna burning methodology was developed by Government in close consultation with Indigenous groups and the CSIRO, and assessed by the independent Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee.
“Indigenous land managers using the savanna burning methodology will also be supported through the Government’s $22 million Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund, providing capacity building, business development support, and expert legal advice,” Mr Dreyfus said.
The methodology and information on the Carbon Farming Initiative is available on the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website at: www.climatechange.gov.au/cfi
WEDNESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2012
