Australia's carbon farming schemes show forest recovery, but deeper structural issues remain
Original framing: “Are Australia’s carbon farming schemes just hot air? Hardly – forests are regrowing almost everywhere” — The Conversation - Global
In contrast to the market-driven approach in Australia, countries like Bhutan and Costa Rica have embedded forest regeneration into national identity and cultural values, achieving high levels of reforestation without relying on carbon credits. These models highlight the importance of cultural alignment in environmental policy.
Australia’s carbon farming schemes demonstrate that forest regrowth is possible, but their success depends on addressing deeper systemic issues such as land tenure, governance, and the exclusion of Indigenous knowledge.
By integrating traditional ecological knowledge, strengthening oversight, and aligning with community needs, these programs can move beyond market-based greenwashing toward genuine ecological restoration. Comparative models from other regions show that cultural alignment and long-term planning are essential for sustainable outcomes. The trickster lens reveals the illusion of market solutions, urging a more radical rethinking of how we relate to the land. Only by weaving together scientific, Indigenous, and community-based approaches can we build a resilient future for Australia’s forests.