Historic carbon credits deal shares profits equally with Traditional Owners in Cape York

A cattle station in far north Queensland has signed a 25 year carbon credits agreement that splits income equally between the pastoral leaseholder and the Wik and Way Traditional Owners. The deal covers nearly 250,000 hectares at Strathburn Station and uses early dry season burning based on traditional knowledge to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration. The Australian carbon market is valued at 60 to 150 million dollars annually, and this is reportedly the first time a pastoralist has offered a 50/50 share of carbon credit revenue to native title holders. The agreement shows how carbon markets can directly fund Indigenous land management while generating tradeable credits. Revenue from the sale of credits supports Traditional Owners' land obligations and cultural goals. The deal runs for 25 years and could provide a significant financial boost to the Wik and Way peoples in Cape York, Queensland. It also highlights a practical model for combining conservation, traditional burning practices, and economic returns from carbon offsets.