Key points:

- Proposal for national body and Caring for Country commissioner

- Plan would see Indigeous leaders drive legislation

- Urgency required to reach net-zero and other green commitments

Indigenous leaders push for a national Caring for Country framework to strengthen environmental stewardship, cultural authority and climate action.

A landmark proposal to explore the establishment of a Caring for Country commissioner and a dedicated national body was unveiled at the 2026 AIATSIS Summit on Tuesday.

The plan would see the creation of an Indigenous-led national framework that would recognise and support the growth of the Caring for Country industry, a sector built on Traditional cultural knowledge and practices of First Nations people.

A specialist group of key stakeholders led by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation was immediately established to further explore the proposal during the AIATSIS Summit.

Indigenous land and water interests are formally recognised across 57 per cent of the nation, and Indigenous leaders want an accountable, legitimate and coordinated approach to land and sea management, which they say is necessary and essential for the entire nation.

Such a framework would see Indigenous leadership at the heart of legislative and policy frameworks that govern the management of Australia's natural and cultural places.

ILSC group chief executive officer, Joe Morrison, said the connection between First Nations people and Country could not be overstated, and Indigenous expertise must drive Australia's environmental resilience.

"The establishment of a national body isn't just about environmental management, it's about facilitating true self determination, built on the long-standing connection Indigenous people have throughout Australia," he said.

"Indigenous peoples and Country are inextricably linked, and Australia needs an Indigenous-led approach that respects the cultural authority of those who have cared for this Country for more than 65,000 years.

"The ILSC isn't playing an advocate's role in the push for this framework ... rather, we are a system participant and convenor, one that can bring Indigenous leaders together and contribute evidence, insight and long‐term perspective."

Indigenous Carbon Industry Network director, Suzanne Thompson, said achieving the federal government's climate adaptation agenda was not possible without formal recognition and a compact with Indigenous Australians.

"The power of a national advocate such as a Commissioner for Indigenous-led caring for Country methods and practices lies in restoring Traditional Cultural Authority to the centre of decisions about how Country is managed, governed, and protected," she said.

"By embedding cultural governance systems and recognising the authority of Traditional Custodians, we can strengthen approaches to caring for Country that are grounded in generations of knowledge and responsibility.

"Through genuine two-way knowledge sharing, we can enhance our collective response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental stewardship, while honouring the wisdom of our ancestors and ensuring it continues to inform contemporary policy, practice, and decision-making for future generations."

North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance CEO, Barry Hunter, said the proposal would include commitments to halt biodiversity loss across the Country.

Bolstering the carbon market through legislative amendments have sharpened the efforts of Indigenous land and sea managers, governments, corporate entities, environmentalists and philanthropic investors alike.

"We support the concept of a national body and statutory office to bring greater cohesion to the investment and program design of Caring for Country activities," he said.

"At the heart of this is our Indigenous Rangers, working hard to protect and repair biodiversity, prevent disasters and reduce the impact of climate change."

AIATSIS council member, Rodney Dillon, said Australia was at a decisive moment in its response to the global climate crisis, with commitments to ambitious international targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: net zero by 2050 and the interim target of a 62 per cent to 70 per cent reduction by 2035.

"Two-way knowledge and a shared approach to resources and land and sea management is right for the nation's future and this proposal works toward this goal," he said.

"A commissioner and national body would open opportunities for Indigenous people to benefit from the emerging green economy."

Invasive Species Council First Nations ambassador, Richard Swain, said nearly 60 per cent of Australia's threatened species occurred on land managed by Indigenous people.

"We have a historic opportunity to elevate the voices of First Nations people, and restore Country and culture by protecting it from the threat of invasive species," he said. "Now is the time to do this."