Indigenous Carbon Industry Network advances climate resilience and cultural practices through self-determination

ICIN is reshaping carbon markets through Indigenous-led projects that restore ecosystems, empower communities and uphold cultural integrity. As a Bright Spot, this network supports Indigenous-led environmental solutions rooted in tradition, justice and resilience.

Australia’s Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) stands as the country’s first independent, not-for-profit peak body owned by Indigenous carbon credit producers. ICIN represents a pivotal effort to support Traditional Owners, including many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have reclaimed their ancestral lands.

Their vision centers on self-determination, advocating for the increased recognition of Indigenous rights and interests in carbon markets, enhancing local ecosystems and climate resilience. This enables their members to generate independent revenue through Australian carbon credit units generated from climate-positive practices like fire management, and land restoration.

With its member organisations having interests across around 50% of Australia’s landmass, ICIN’s work has brought significant benefits—an estimated 80% of jobs created from revenue raised by these carbon projects are held by Aboriginal people. Importantly, the projects and their benefits are fully controlled by Aboriginal people, giving rise to self-determined outcomes such as investment in education, cultural programs, protection of sacred sites and training of future generations of land and sea managers.

^{Left: Co-Chair Dr Dean Yibarbuk / Right: Rangers at Savanna Fire Forum}

How is ICIN different from mainstream carbon markets?

Through their carbon projects, ICIN members integrate tens of thousands of years of Caring for Country knowledge (broadly referring to Indigenous peoples’ approaches to the environment), with cutting-edge science, distinguishing it from conventional carbon market approaches.

Through a host of consultation processes and workshops, ICIN supports its members to inform and influences carbon and climate-related policy development, enhancing carbon methodologies and other areas from fire management to blue carbon. This model of inclusive governance and advocacy enables Traditional Owners to meet cultural obligations, honour ancestral practices, and build economic resilience.

"Conventional methods of firefighting have largely failed and there is an urgent need for a practical, scalable solution for fire-prone landscapes around the globe. Our approach has been proven to reduce destructive wildfires and greenhouse gas emissions by half, providing jobs for remote communities, while at the same time reinvigorating traditional culture."

—Cissy Gore-Birch OAM, Co-Chair, Indigenous Carbon Industry Network

Why does ICIN matter?

31 Indigenous-led carbon projects owned by ICIN members currently reduce around one million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year through fire and land management activities, generating millions in carbon credits from preventing hot fires and supporting land regeneration while creating local employment opportunities. These projects generate close to AUD$50 million worth of Australian Carbon Credit Units per annum, creating a scalable and profitable model.

High-intensity fires in Australia’s savannas contribute to 3% of national greenhouse gas emissions. ICIN’s members have proven that traditional savannah fire management can reduce these emissions effectively. At present, there has been a global uptick in forest fires and largely conventional methods have been less successful. Scientists are now supporting savanna fire management methods created together with ICIN members to expand to at least ten other countries including Zambia, Peru and Botswana.

Beyond environmental impact, ICIN’s model emphasises economic autonomy, with an estimated 80% of jobs generated by these projects held by Indigenous Australians. This enables remote communities to keep people on Country, facilitates intergenerational transfer of knowledge and allows First Nations peoples to reinvest revenue back into their programs and people.

^{ICIN Mimal Rangers.}

^{Directors Sarah Parriman and Cathy Goonack.}

What could the future look like if ICIN’s model becomes the norm?

By 2026, ICIN envisions scaling its membership, securing wider market access for Indigenous carbon credits and solidifying Indigenous leadership in evolving carbon and nature restoration markets. With its established and close partnerships with Traditional owners, ICIN has the space to grow further as an advocate and enabler for policy changes and methods developments. .

Internationally, Australia’s savannah fire management methods could become a blueprint for countries grappling with wildfire challenges, fostering climate resilience through traditional land stewardship methods.

For further scale, organisations like ICIN will need financial mechanisms to support accessibility for Indigenous Traditional Owners groups to break into the industry. This could include supporting skills sharing, scaling training and employment pathways, informing policy development and offering free information and resources about Indigenous rights and interests in carbon.

Questions to consider:

Why does the world need Indigenous-led solutions for climate?

How does ICIN ensure that carbon projects maintain cultural integrity while staying competitive in a fast-paced, commercialised industry?

Images courtesy: Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN)

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A Forum for the Future initiative, in partnership with The Earthshot Prize, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Trane Technologies, The Future of Sustainability: Reimagining the Way the World Works is showcasing the social and climate initiatives shaping a better future, today.

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