Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet and Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Tony Burke today announced a new Biodiversity Fund to protect Australia's unique species from climate change impacts.
We need to take action to protect Australia's diverse environment from the threats posed by climate change.
The ongoing fund will initially provide $946 million over six years for a range of projects to foster and preserve biodiversity around Australia.
The fund will support farmers, community groups and natural resource management bodies to take action on-ground that will protect biodiversity in the landscape.
It will support restoration and management of areas of the landscape which can store carbon while also achieving biodiversity outcomes including:
? reforestation and revegetation in areas of high conservation value
? management and protection of biodiverse ecosystems, including publicly owned native forests and land under conservation covenants or subject to land clearing restrictions
? action to prevent the spread of invasive species across landscapes.
These measures will ensure the protection of Australia's ecosystems and improve the resilience of Australia's unique species to the impacts of climate change.
Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the productive capacity of our landscape and protecting our natural ecosystems.
Further information in relation to the Government's clean energy future and carbon price announcement is available at www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au