Public consultation opens on new savanna burning methods - a major step for Australia’s carbon market and Indigenous-led climate action

Savanna fire management at Corporate Carbon’s Holroyd, Yarraden, and Crystalvale SFM project in Queensland.

Today, on Thursday 14 June, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced two new Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme savanna fire management methods have progressed to public consultation.

Addressing the audience at the Carbon Market Institute’s annual emissions reduction flagship event, The Hon. Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, highlighted this development as a significant step forward in the ongoing reform of the ACCU Scheme.

The updated methods embed contemporary science alongside formal recognition of traditional fire practices and harnesses advanced tools like the Savanna Carbon Accounting Model to enable crediting for both avoided emissions and carbon sequestration.

"This is an important milestone for savanna fire management projects, which deliver significant climate, biodiversity and cultural outcomes in remote Australia,” said Gary Wyatt, Managing Director of Corporate Carbon. “Credible, updated methods will give confidence to investors, support ongoing community benefits, and strengthen the role of Indigenous-led burning in meeting Australia’s climate goals.”