By Gabriel Crowley, December 2019
This report describes the many potential biodiversity and socio-economic co-benefits of pastoralists undertaking Beef Cattle Herd Management (BCHM) emission reduction projects in north-west Queensland, as well as identifying areas of potential conflict with biodiversity conservation. The primary benefits are increased beef production and the capacity for such projects to restore degraded ground cover. Most other financial, biodiversity and employment benefits flow on from these primary benefits. The biggest risk of such projects will be where changes to herd management are undertaken without regard to pasture condition. The greatest benefits will be where BCHM projects are integrated into whole-of-enterprise plans that include identifying and managing biodiversity values (particularly to manage up to 10% of each project area for biodiversity conservation); an inclusive employment policy; and engagement of Traditional Owners through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (BCHM Plus projects).