Ecosystems Services Economy

Developing incentivised Ecosystem Services economies will enable Indigenous communities across northern Australia and worldwide to manage their natural resources in culturally appropriate and sustainable ways. This project expands upon current carbon economies which are focused on greenhouse gas emissions abatement. It will co-develop an ecosystem services economies framework, in collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders,  incorporating Indigenous socio-cultural and the ecological values.

The framework will offer a culturally appropriate tool to trade ecosystem services in the market and attract investment to manage country holistically. Fine-scale Indigenous management will deliver multiple ecosystem services through protecting biodiversity, water resources, and preventing the degradation of land, while delivering significant socio-economic and cultural benefits to the communities.

This project aims to advance economic opportunities for Indigenous communities across Northern Australia by developing culturally appropriate ecosystem services economies. They will co-develop an ecosystem services economies model, in collaboration with Indigenous and business stakeholders, including an integrated set of indicators, measures and assessment tools, accounting for a diverse range of ES from Indigenous estates, befitting Indigenous and business contexts. This project will deliver substantial social outcomes including creating meaningful jobs and economic opportunities on country which will help initiate other small enterprises, empowering people by recognising their knowledge of country and building a sense of pride, and enhancing peoples' capabilities to manage their lands effectively.