Exploring Aboriginal Perspectives on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change Mitigation in Remote Central Australia

Achieving national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals requires recognising the lived experiences and knowledge systems of remote Aboriginal communities, who contribute least but are most affected by climate change. This study explored awareness and perceptions of GHG emissions in a very remote Aboriginal community in Central Australia. A qualitative, cross-sectional study was conducted using a staged communication approach that combined visual tools (videos and posters) with a yarning circle. Nine community members (67% women; aged 28–82 years) participated in a session co-led by a local Aboriginal cultural navigator and an Aboriginal researcher. The study examined community understanding of GHG emissions, local emission sources, environmental changes, and the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in shaping responses to climate change. Participants noted shifts in local weather patterns, particularly more intense heat events, and did not initially link local environmental changes to GHG emissions. Visual prompts helped participants connect emissions with key local sources, including diesel generators, poorly maintained vehicles, and waste burning. TEK was emphasised as central to interpreting environmental change and maintaining health and cultural continuity; however, extreme hot weather has disrupted TEK practices. Despite having limited familiarity with Western scientific terminology, participants demonstrated an intuitive understanding of climate change and its drivers. Building GHG literacy grounded in TEK and co-designed with communities can strengthen culturally relevant community-led mitigation strategies in remote Aboriginal contexts.