Farm Leaders Urge Albanese Government to Rule Out Binding Emissions Reduction Targets for Agriculture

Australia's agricultural sector is facing growing pressure from the Albanese government to set a more ambitious national 2035 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, farm leaders are urging the government to rule out binding emissions reduction targets for agriculture, citing concerns that such targets could put food security at risk. The government has consulted with industry in 2023 but has yet to reveal any details about its plans, which are expected to be announced this week.

The National Farmers' Federation, Australian Dairy Farmers, and Grain Producers Australia are all calling for more funding for adaptation to help farmers and communities manage climate challenges. They argue that emissions reductions targets for agriculture are not about a specific number, but about finding practical pathways that don't burden farmers with extra costs. The livestock sector is also calling for emissions accounting to include the fact that methane breaks down in the atmosphere after decades, reducing its warming impact over time.

Key Takeaways:

• Farm leaders are urging the Albanese government to rule out binding emissions reduction targets for agriculture, citing concerns that such targets could put food security at risk.
• The National Farmers' Federation, Australian Dairy Farmers, and Grain Producers Australia are all calling for more funding for adaptation to help farmers and communities manage climate challenges.
• Emissions reductions targets for agriculture are not about a specific number, but about finding practical pathways that don't burden farmers with extra costs.
• The livestock sector is calling for emissions accounting to include the fact that methane breaks down in the atmosphere after decades, reducing its warming impact over time.
• Australians living in regional areas will be big losers from unchecked climate change, particularly in the agricultural sector.
• The Australian Climate Service report warns of "cascading" threats to agriculture and rural communities if climate change continues unchecked.

Statistics:

• 60% of Australia's carbon pollution comes from coal and gas, which generate a significant portion of the country's emissions.
• Community consultations involving farmers and landholders on the rollout of renewable energy projects have seriously slipped and gone backwards since the agriculture and land sector plan discussion paper was released in late 2023 and early 2024.
• Grain Producers Australia says Australian grain has some of the lowest emissions intensity compared to other exporting nations.
• The ACS National Climate Risk Assessment report predicts that climate change will result in "inaccessible or unaffordable insurance for high risk areas."

Sources:

• Australian Farmers Face Growing Pressure to Reduce Emissions

+ The Australian

+ Tuesday, 7 August 2024

• Climate Change Threatens Australian Food Security, Experts Warn

+ The Sydney Morning Herald

+ Wednesday, 24 July 2024

• Australian Climate Service report

+ Released on Monday, 5 August 2024

• ACS National Climate Risk Assessment report

+ Released in 2024 (exact date not specified)