The Australian Government has agreed that regional NRM organisations should have an expanded role in informing the planning and establishment of carbon farming projects. 

The advice was provided as in-principle support for the Climate Change Authority’s 2023 recommendation that the role of regional natural resource management (NRM) organisations and their plans should be expanded under the CFI Act, and that regional NRM organisations should be resourced to perform this additional work. 

The advice from the government noted that an expanded role for regional NRM organisations may also align with the needs of the Australian Government’s Nature Repair market, which is expected to open next year. 

NRM Regions Australia CEO Dr Kate Andrews welcomed the announcement. 

“The government’s support for an increased role for regional NRM organisations in guiding carbon farming and nature repair projects is recognition of the need for an integrated landscape approach. It is testimony to the success of regional NRM organisations in planning for, and achieving, the best on-ground outcomes for nature and people across Australia for over two decades” Dr Andrews said.

The announcement follows a long history of regional NRM organisations supporting best practice in carbon farming projects. 

“Regional NRM organisations have been involved in carbon farming from the beginning- the CFI Act already requires projects to be consistent with NRM plans. We know that consideration of the local environmental, social, and economic context and regional objectives that are described in NRM plans provides the opportunity for carbon investment to achieve other benefits, while minimising the risk of perverse outcomes” Dr Andrews said.  

Dr Andrews said increased involvement of regional NRM organisations is an efficient way to increase investment in nature.

“We need more investment to restore and protect our wonderful environments and to safeguard agricultural production in the changing climate. Resourcing regional NRM organisations to do more has the potential to supercharge carbon investments to get better outcomes for people and nature, at the necessary scale” she said.

The Australian Government’s response to the Climate Change Authority’s advice can be accessed here.

NRM Regions Australia is the peak body for the 54 regional NRM organisations across Australia.