Objective
This project will provide people in remote areas with information about options for carbon economies and will develop mechanisms with those people to guide action. The project will also work with potential customers of a carbon storage service to leave behind partnerships and a pathway for potential success after the project has finished.
Summary
Economic participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote regions can be improved through land management activities such as the maintenance and management of biodiversity, cultural waterholes and fire.
Another opportunity in this field is in carbon sequestration and the abatement of carbon emissions, particularly in the case of the management of fires across large areas of land in northern Australia.
Australia continues to seek ways to control its greenhouse gas emissions. During fire events, the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere, and this contributes a significant proportion (3%) of Australia’s emissions. Fire also has a large effect on greenhouse gas dynamics through its effects on carbon sequestration.
Such effects are not currently accountable because the scientific understanding is inadequate and therefore auditing and verification of stored carbon is not possible. An opportunity exists to apply research to developing knowledge of the effects of fire on carbon sequestration in order to underpin potential fire management enterprises based on full carbon accounting.
This project focuses on the possibilities and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, businesses and local and state/territory governments by providing people in remote areas with information about options for carbon economies and training to manage carbon enterprises and to develop mechanisms to guide action.
The project will also work with potential customers of a carbon storage service to leave behind partnerships and a pathway for potential success after the project has finished.
Researchers will quantify the effects of fire on carbon sequestration and obtain information on emissions of greenhouse gases, and the economic potential of fire management as a contractable carbon sequestration enterprise will be determined.
Outputs
- Models of new business opportunities for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using traditional knowledge and land management skills.
- Education: At least 1 post-graduate student, 1 honours, VET or vacation student.
Impacts
- New contracting opportunities on which to base livelihoods.
Principal Research Leader
Vacant
Program Leader
Kevin Williams
email: kevin.williams@nintione.com.au
phone: + 61 8 82110431
Kevin has extensive experience in research and management across the agricultural, natural resource management and renewable energy sectors. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Horticulture, a Masters in Biotechnology, and a PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics.
Read Kevin's complete biography
