Identifying opportunities to reduce emissions while building sector

Wimmera and Mallee farmers and landholders are invited to share their views on how agriculture and land sectors can work towards the Federal Government’s economy-wide Net Zero 2050 Plan.

A discussion paper for the Agriculture and Land Plan – one of six sectoral decarbonisation plans under the Net Zero 2050 Plan – has been released as part of broader public consultation.

Agriculture made up 16.8 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions in 2020-21. This share is expected to increase as other parts of the economy, such as the electricity sector, take up more readily available and lower-cost options.

Modelling from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences showed seasonal conditions from 2001 to 2020 reduced profitability of Australian broadacre farms by an average of 23 percent, or about $29,200 a farm.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Murray Watt will lead the plan’s development with Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, and Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Mr Watt said the discussion paper focused on understanding and identifying opportunities for the sector to reduce emissions, while building agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience.

“The government is seeking views and feedback from industry, experts and the community on ways that agriculture and land can contribute to the whole-of-economy emissions reduction task,” he said.

“Farmers and landholders are already seeing the impact of climate change on their businesses and have been leaders in sustainability for a long time.

“Their expertise in this area will be valuable in putting together the plan.”

Mr Bowen said Australian farmers were on the front line of climate change and working with the agriculture sector would help reach Australia’s net zero goals and protect the industry.

“We know farmers and landholders are best placed to share their knowledge, innovation, ideas and experience to get the best outcomes,” he said.

“The Albanese government wants to work in partnership with industry to get this Agriculture and Land Plan right – supporting them to adopt lowemission technologies that boost productivity and reduce costs and maximise opportunities to increase carbon storage in the landscape.”

Ms Plibersek said landholders and land managers, including those in Indigenous protected areas, would play a key role in protecting and repairing nature and helping it be more resilient.

“Farmers are terrific stewards of our natural environment,” she said. “When they act to reduce greenhouse gases, they can also have a fantastic impact on improving biodiversity – for example, by better protecting remnant bush or improving planting around dams. When farmers earn money from carbon farming, they will also be able to earn money through our nature repair market.

“We are determined to better protect nature and leave it better off for our kids and grandkids – and we know farmers play an important role in that.”

Public submissions are available at haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/a griculture-and-land-sectoral-plan and will close December 13.