See resources on this topic here
WHAT TO EXPECT
Join us in Huonville to explore the co-benefits, barriers and common questions about emerging carbon and biodiversity markets. Experts in the field will be giving 20-30min presentations. We will also hear from two Tasmanian case studies about their on-ground experience navigating these markets.
(Image: Moon Cheese Studio - Brand Tasmania 2023)
BACKGROUND:
The Australian Government is designing market mechanisms to encourage development in environmental markets, in addition to non-government driven incentives such as certification and other marketing advantages. The current government led mechanisms are the Australian Carbon Credit Scheme (ACCU Scheme) and the emerging Nature Repair Market. Increasingly there is consumer and international demand for carbon neutral and nature posisitve supply chains, so this is creating additional market pressure. The hope is that these markets will accelerate investment into addressing climate change and protecting and restoring Australia’s rich biodiversity.
These markets are particularly valuable for land managers for a number of reasons including firstly, they can provide some economic return for good farm and land management practices. Secondly these good land management practices lead to considerable co-benefits for biodiversity, productivity, efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
We will be exploring the pros and cons of involvement in these markets including how to register a project, who to turn to for advice, whether or not to sell the credits/certificates or to keep them for your own business, the benefits of monitoring biodiversity and carbon to inform management decisions and the co-benefits of managing for carbon and biodiversity.
PRESENTERS:
Associate Professor Matthew Harrison is an award-winning scientist at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture in Launceston, Australia. Matt is internationally renowned for his work in improving the sustainability of agricultural and land-use systems through innovative economic, environmental and social solutions to demand-driven problems. His team uses systems thinking to develop skills, technologies and practices aimed at improving food production, enterprise profitability, social license to operate and long-term agri-food sustainability.
Yolanda’s academic background is in entomology and agroecology, and she has a keen interest in promoting insect-plant interactions and their ecosystem and biodiversity functions in agricultural landscapes. Yolanda is currently working for NRM south land team where she is continuing to work with farmers to enhance their sustainable management practices and is passionate about supporting the insects that help sustain vibrant ecosystems.
Jan is the recipient of a Federal Carbon & Biodiversity Pilot Project and owner of Milford in the Northern Midlands.
Catherine Riordan, Director, Nature Repair Market, Engagement & Analysis team.
Miles Leschen, Assistant Director, Capacity Building, Pilots team.
Alison Brown, Senior Policy Officer, Capacity Building, Trading Platform team.
The Nature Repair Market is part of the government’s Nature Positive Plan, a plan to begin the process of repairing nature and restoring damaged ecosystems. The Nature Repair Market Bill proposes a world first market built on integrity, transparency, and science. It provides a way to bring additional private investment into protecting, restoring, and repairing biodiversity on private land. It will enable landholders who protect, manage, or restore local habitat to receive certificates which can then be sold to buyers.
James has over 10 years’ experience in the environment sector, spanning government and not-for-profit organisations across Australia. James worked as an ecologist and Philanthropy and Engagement Manager at TLC before being appointed as the CEO.
WHO
It would be great to see a range of farmers, orchardists, land managers and Landcarers attend.
This workshop is a part of Landcare Tasmania's Landscape Restoration and Community Outreach programs funded by the State Government's Landcare Action Grants Round 6.
Delivered with support from Milford, NRM South, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Tasmanian Land Conservancy and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Landcare Tasmania works to represent, support, strengthen and grow community Landcare. Landcare Tasmania has more than 300 member groups across the state, representing over 5,000 Tasmanians.