Research in west Arnhem Land has shown that strategic fire
management in savanna landscapes, utilising local Indigenous
knowledge and biophysical science can lead to a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions, improvement in biodiversity values and an
important livelihood option for the lands’ Aboriginal
custodians.
This research led to a landmark greenhouse gas offset agreement
between ConocoPhillips, the NT Government, Northern Land Council,
and traditional owners and Indigenous land managers in west Arnhem
Land. This agreement recognises significant greenhouse gas
abatement achieved through savanna fire management carried out by
Indigenous Ranger groups as an offset to some of the greenhouse gas
emissions generated at ConocoPhillips’ liquefied natural gas
plant in Darwin Harbour. Under the arrangement around $1million a
year is paid into the WAFMA project for 17 years to provide this
fire management service.
The WALFA Project uses traditional fire management practices
together with modern scientific knowledge to better control the
extent and severity of savanna wildfires thereby reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by around 100,000 tonnes per year.
Essentially, the project seeks to increase the proportion of
controlled early dry season fires to create fire breaks and patchy
mosaics of burnt and unburnt country to minimise destructive late
dry season wildfires and maximise biodiversity protection.
As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to
positive biodiversity conservation outcomes WALFA is showing that
land management can provide sustainable employment for Indigenous
land managers, and support for living on country.
