More than 480 conservation groups, farmers, scientists and First Nations land managers are meeting in Hobart this week to discuss the role of nature in Australia’s push to reach net zero.
The Australian Land Conservation Alliance’s national conference started today at the Hotel Grand Chancellor and runs for four days.
Organisers said the event came as governments, industry and communities worked out how to achieve net zero and “reverse nature decline”.
More than 180 speakers will cover topics including environmental markets, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, First Nations land management and conservation covenanting programs.
Today’s program opened with a forum for around 100 farmers, conservation landholders and representatives of land conservation organisations.
Federal environment minister Murray Watt is scheduled to speak on Thursday.
One session will examine Australia’s progress towards its commitment under the Global Biodiversity Framework to protect 30% of its land by 2030.
The conference is affiliated with Pre-COP31, ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Türkiye in November.
The alliance describes itself as Australia’s peak body for land conservation. Its 23 members include Landcare Australia, WWF-Australia and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.
Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania secretary Jason Jacobi said many of the state’s most significant habitats for threatened species and ecological communities were on private land.
“Private landowners play an important role in protecting Tasmania’s unique natural values and their commitment helps ensure important habitats and ecosystems are conserved for future generations,” he said.
Jacobi said the conference was an opportunity for Tasmania “to showcase the significant contribution private landowners make to protecting biodiversity”.
The event wraps up on Friday with field trips to sites including Bruny Island, the Tasmanian Midlands, the Derwent Catchment and Tinderbox Hills Reserve.
