$1.7 billion in independently managed funds to protect biodiversity and create jobs in rural Australia and indigenous communities is a great aspect of the agreement to put a price on pollution.
"The Greens and the country Independents have helped bring a real focus on regional Australia into the carbon price package," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.
"I am delighted we have secured an ongoing fund to conserve biodiversity worth $948 million over the first 6 years.
"Everyone who loves our magnificent forests will be delighted that there will not only be incentives to save forests but that creating renewable energy certificates from burning native forests is no longer permitted."
Protecting biodiversity, helping land managers and creating jobs in rural Australia through the carbon price agreement:
• The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) to provide an incentive for a wide range of activities which protect and enhance carbon in the landscape;
• An independent Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Advisory Board to be established to oversee the funding of biodiversity conservation and CFI related activities;
• Landscape carbon funds to be increased from the CPRS's $40 million to $1.7 billion over the first six years, including the following:
o An ongoing biodiversity fund worth $948 million over the first six years to directly support projects that establish, restore, protect or manage biodiverse carbon stores;
o A $429 million Carbon Farming Futures initiative to help landholders participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative through research, innovation and on the ground action;
o $250 million to be used to purchase of CFI credits not yet recognised internationally (such as from soil carbon projects);
o Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups to be supported ($44 million) to update regional plans assist in dealing with planning challenges created by the CFI;
o A $22 million indigenous carbon farming fund to support indigenous participation by developing skills, governance arrangements and methodologies; and
o A $4 million carbon farming skills package to support rural jobs creation and provide advice to those on the land; and
• Biomass from native forests will no longer be counted as renewable energy.
"It is a big change of direction for the government to recognise the importance of protecting and valuing the land and our biodiversity as part of tackling the climate crisis."
"A well-managed, permanent fund to support land stewardship, biodiverse plantings in key areas and restoration and protection of biodiverse carbon stores will not only increase carbon in the landscape but will also increase our environment's resilience in the face of climate change.
"If the biodiversity and carbon farming funds are going to work effectively, it is critical that we build up a skilled and properly accredited workforce. The $4 million carbon farming skills package will both make sure the programs work well and help create jobs in rural Australia.
"Just as importantly, we need to build the skills, governance frameworks and methodologies to help indigenous communities take full advantage of carbon farming opportunities, bringing 21st century thinking to bear on the ancient wisdom of controlled savannah fires and forest and soil management.
"To that end, I am pleased that the Greens have secured an amendment to the CFI that expands carbon sequestration rights beyond those holding exclusive native title to those with non-exclusive native title as well.
"Enhancing and restoring carbon in the landscape and creating jobs in rural Australia is a win win for the climate and the community."
