Aboriginal Carbon Foundation

🌿 The Aboriginal Carbon Foundation acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions of John Clark, who has recently stepped down from his role as a Board Member after several years. Hailing from Kowanyama, John brings the strength of both his Kokoberra heritage on his father’s side and Ewamain heritage on his mother’s side. John not only contributed his vast cultural knowledge and experience to his position on the Board, but has made a remarkable impact as Manager of the Kowanyama Aboriginal Land and Natural Resource Management Office. His dedication to land, culture, and community has been an inspiration, and his insights have greatly enriched our work here at AbCF. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, passion, and guidance. Thank you, John, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for Country, community, and culture. Wishing you every success in your next steps. 🌱💚

🌟 Congratulations to Prof. Phil Duncan - New Chair of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation Board🌟 We're thrilled to welcome Professor Phil Duncan, a respected member of the Gomeroi Nation from Moree, NSW, as our new Board Chair! Prof. Duncan will be the AbCF third chair since we were established in 2010. With over 40 years of dedicated work alongside Aboriginal communities and government, Phil has tirelessly advanced recognition of our rich cultural heritage, the return of lands, and the well-being of our people. His impactful contributions span from education and reconciliation action to natural resource management, water rights, and beyond. Phil’s passion for two-way knowledge exchange and amplifying Traditional Owners' voices is evident in his work to merge Cultural Science with Western frameworks. We look forward to Phil's strategic vision and commitment as we continue to grow partnerships that honor and empower Aboriginal people and communities. Phil attended COP27 previously and will also be at forthcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan. Join us in congratulating Phil on this new journey! 👏 #AboriginalCarbonFoundation #Leadership #TraditionalOwners #CulturalScience #IndigenousKnowledge #Partnerships #CMI 

🌍 We’re incredibly proud of the work that our small, but mighty team do on the ground, both in this country and globally. We’re excited to share with you Lisa McMurray’s recent journey attending COP16 in Colombia through the Atlantic Fellows for Social & Economic Equity (AFSEE). 🌱This journey marks a transformative step, as Atlantic Fellows hosted their first convening in Bogotá with local partner organiations, driving bold, Global South-led climate justice discussions. 🌍 At the heart of this convening is a deep focus on climate justice beyond the traditional paradigms of the Global North. While these nations have historically driven emissions and benefited, their solutions often commodify nature and bypass the voices that matter most—those who live in harmony with the land, understand its delicate balance, and hold invaluable community-based knowledge. 🌿🌎 Lisa joins with other Fellows to elevate powerful, alternative narratives for a truly just transition—one that embraces interconnectedness, the need for activism at multiple levels, and the crucial voices of communities who feel the climate crisis most acutely. Their discussions and presentations at COP16 in Cali shine a light on Global South solutions that honor the planet’s health and the resilience of its people. 🌏 Watch this inspiring short film on their journey to COP16 and see how Lisa and her fellow changemakers are advancing climate justice! 🎥 #AboriginalCarbonFoundation #COP16 #AtlanticFellows #ClimateJustice #JustTransition #Indigenous #Leaders #Global #FirstNations

🌿 Tribute to Our Outgoing Chairman, Barry J Hunter 🌿 With deep gratitude and respect, we say farewell to Barry J Hunter as he steps down from his role as Chairman of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation Board of Directors. Barry’s leadership, grounded in wisdom, culture, and vision, has been an unwavering force behind our journey. Through his dedication, we have grown not just as an organisation but as a movement — one that celebrates the healing of land, waters, and people. Your guidance, Barry, has empowered communities and inspired us to weave traditional knowledge with modern innovation. Under your stewardship, the Foundation’s work has flourished, shaping a future where sustainable practices and cultural integrity walk hand in hand. From all of us at the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation, the communities across the country in which you have had an indelible impact, and your fellow Board of Directors, we want to thank you for your tireless efforts and for being a beacon of strength and inspiration. We look forward to honouring your legacy as we continue this important journey, knowing that your cheeky spirit and wisdom will always be with us. We wish you every success and joy in your next chapter and we look forward to our continued friendship and ongoing connection with you as we work together to strive for a better future for First Nations peoples. ✨ #FirstNations #Leadership #CulturalWisdom #Gratitude 

Here’s a sobering fact: there is no country that currently invests more in #nature than it spends in destroying it (Global Environment Facility). No suprises then that transformational finance has been a big focus at #COP16, particularly, where should finance come from and where should it go? #Indigenous people, globally, care for 80% of the world’s remaining #biodiversity. It would seem obvious then, who should receive the lion’s share of that finance. Yesterday in the Nature and Culture Summit, time and time again Indigenous people from all over the world, stressed how critical Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing are in leading #climatesolutions and #naturerepair. And this means transformational funding, “not peanuts” to quote Hindou Oumarou, President of #UNPFII. I keep thinking of the Equadorian elder who said he feels like he’s on a boat but the people steering the boat (the Global North) are drunk and incapable of navigating. And Joseph Itongwa from the DRC asked “If we continue to hurt planet earth we hurt oursleves, but nature will save itself, but will we be around to see it?” Aboriginal Carbon Foundation

Two weeks on from the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit 2024, we are reflecting on all of the exciting global connections that were made during our time on Gadigal country. We had the privilege of speaking on biodiversity markets and welcoming our Fijian partners to join us on this global stage. It’s critical that First Nations are at the forefront of this movement, leading the way to ensure both core benefits for communities and strong biodiversity outcomes are achieved. 🌱 The standard eco-colonial models must evolve. Through strengths-based approaches, we can unlock solutions that empower all landowners—regardless of race—to contribute to and benefit from this essential work. First Nations Australians and First Nations peoples of the world hold the key to this critical work. The time is now to step into our rightful place as the custodians of country and share our learnings and have an equal seat at the table where the decisions are being made. Watch this wrap of the summit here, featuring Fiji’s esteemed Dr Akanisi Kedrayate and our own deadly Barry Hunter offering insights into the way forward.   #IndigenousLeadership #BiodiversityMarkets #StrengthsBasedApproach #GlobalCollaboration #FirstNations #Sustainability #NaturePositive #CareforCountry

🌏 Calling for Real Change: AbCF at the Global Nature Positive Summit 🌱 Aboriginal Carbon Foundation CEO, Rowan Foley delivered a powerful message at the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit 2024 on Gadigal Country, urging a shift beyond the narrow, carbon-centric focus dominating environmental markets. Read the full story here. #GlobalNaturePositiveSummit #AboriginalCarbonFoundation #CulturalBurning #IndigenousLeadership #BiodiversityMarkets

🍃 Trading Green: Unlocking the future of biodiversity markets - with Rowan Foley at the Global Nature Positive Summit 2024 🌿 📢 Stay tuned for the full story - coming soon!

🌏 Celebrating an Exclusive Gathering on Gadigal Country! 🌏 We recently marked Fiji Independence Day with our colleagues and friends from the #FirstNation #Fiji Resources Foundation. Celebrating our mutual connection, collaboration, and cultural leadership, Fiji First Nations Resource Foundation (FFNRF) and the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation (AbCF) hosted a gathering on #Gadigal Country last week with the support of Insurance Australia Group IAG This special event followed the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit 2024 in Sydney and brought together First Nations leaders, business leaders, and investors to explore how we can support the Fijian people in protecting their communities and environment. Our guests engaged with Traditional Owners, Fijian First Nations peoples, and senior leaders committed to climate action and biodiversity restoration. As we approach COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, this gathering offered a meaningful space to reflect on Australia’s leadership in advancing natural capital through First Nations-led frameworks. Highlights included: - Connecting with global experts and climate advocates driving First Nations-led solutions. - Exploring “A Nature Positive Australian Economy Package”, policy proposals aligned with custodianship principles to restore nature on a large scale. -Thought-provoking discussions through Indigenous knowledge and sustainability practices essential for a thriving, net-zero future. - Networking with people shaping a culturally rich, sustainable future for Fiji, Australia, and the planet. Together, let’s align #environmental #stewardship with economic #sustainability through the wisdom of #Traditional #Custodians. #FirstNationsLeadership #NaturePositive #Sustainability #COP29 #AboriginalCarbonFoundation #Fiji

🌿 Reflecting on the Global Nature Positive Summit 2024 🌿 #Day2 of the #globalnaturepositivesummit and we’ve been busy connecting with reconnecting with mob and allies alike, both here in Australia and globally. At the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation, we’re reminded of some key takeaways: 1. Leadership in Governance: Globally and locally, we must be ambitious in driving change and innovation. But it’s not enough to just talk—we need action. Strong governance is key to realizing the true intent of our work. 2. Healing Land and People: Our communities can become unwell, reflecting the state of our land. Healing the land, people, and waters is a priority, and the cost of inaction is too high. 3. Intergenerational Aspirations: Our environmental efforts are for future generations. Leaders must recognize the challenge of balancing progress with the cost of monetizing nature. Let’s continue to push forward and ensure that the land and people thrive together. 🌏💚 #NaturePositive #AboriginalCarbon #HealingCountry #Leadership #ActionNow