Since time immemorial, the First Peoples of Australia have utilised fire as a traditional land management tool to protect culturally and ecologically significant sites. Their burning methods often create ‘paddocks’ that strategically prevent wildfires from spreading into adjacent areas. Today, this is recognised around the world as an effective approach to the abatement of greenhouse gasses from uncontrolled hot wildfires, and foundational to effective land management in this region with benefits for flora and fauna.

In 2011, Traditional Owners founded Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (ALFA) to formalise and support their engagement with the carbon industry. As members of ALFA, ranger organisations across Arnhem Land combine modern science and traditional technology to collaboratively reduce the intensity of seasonal wildfires and protect key assets. The reduction in emissions is calculated, quantified and then sold as carbon credits to generate an independent source of ongoing income.