Abating greenhouse gas emissions through strategic management of savanna fires: opportunities and challenges – Northern Territory

SUMMARY In the Northern Territory, savanna fires are the major single source of greenhouse gas emissions. A privately-funded project involving strategic fire management has shown that it is possible to mitigate emissions from fire, with social, economic and other environmental benefits. This case study discusses the implications of having savanna fire abatement projects recognised as offsets within emerging markets, and the challenges associated with coverage of savanna fire emissions under an Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS). OVERVIEW Savanna woodlands and grasslands cover about 25 per cent of the Australian continent, across the northern parts of Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The local climate of distinct wet and dry seasons and the nature of the savanna environment make these areas very prone to fire and a significant source of emissions. In 2006, savanna burning contributed 13 per cent, or 11.5 million tonnes (Mt), of national agriculture emissions, which is equivalent to 2 per cent of total national emissions. Despite considerable annual variation, savanna burning is consistently the greatest source of emissions in the Northern Territory, making it a priority area for abatement effort. Recent trials have indicated that annual levels of emissions can be considerably lowered by reducing the area burnt annually, through seasonally targeted management strategies, such as fire breaks and fuel reduction burns. These management strategies are also contributing to positive outcomes for biodiversity conservation and Indigenous land managers. Managing savannas to reduce greenhouse emissions is key to the Northern Territory's contribution to national emissions reduction targets, and requires significant resources when implemented on a large scale. These resources are only likely to become available if the right economic incentives for fire management exist. The recognition of emissions reduction from strategic fire management projects under emerging markets would provide the necessary incentives for action and contribute to other government objectives, including improving the socioeconomic well-being of Indigenous Territorians (NTG 2007). Coverage of savanna fire emissions under an Australian ETS would, however, create a number of unique issues that require consideration.Figure 1 – Frequency of large area fires (>4km 2) in Australia over the period 1997-2005. BACKGROUND Reliable monsoonal (summer) rainfall drives periods of rapid plant growth in tropical savannas, alternating with intense seasonal drought during which grasses cure rapidly. This annual cycle of rapid fuel production, followed quickly by dry windy conditions that favour fire, make the savannas extraordinarily fire prone. More than 35 million hectares are …