Australia has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This target is ambitious and will require significant action across the economy. Contributing to this aim will help Australian agriculture take advantage of market shifts, as the world transitions toward net zero.
Public consultation on the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan
Trusted and easy-to-use greenhouse gas (GHG) calculators are becoming an essential part of doing business for producers. Stakeholders have raised concerns about the inconsistencies in methodology and outputs across the wide range of GHG emissions calculators available to Australian producers. They have asked for stronger government assurance around emissions calculators used by the sector.
Action required
To address stakeholder concerns, the Australian Government announced $28.7 million in funding in the 2024-25 Budget. This funding will go toward improving GHG accounting in the agriculture and land sectors at the national through to farm level by:
- Enhancing the National Greenhouse Accounts methods and data collection processes (led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water)
- Developing, publishing and maintaining voluntary emissions estimation and reporting ‘standards’ (standards) for agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries (led by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water)
- Facilitating the incorporation of those ‘standards’ into new and existing farm-level GHG emissions calculators and tools (including to reflect updates to the ‘standards’ over time) (led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry).
The desired outcome of this third, DAFF-led element is to increase the proportion of producers that know and understand their business’ net emissions profile, and the on-farm activities and practices that affect their net emissions.
DAFF is delivering this element through the Improving Consistency of On-farm Emissions Estimates program.
Voluntary Emissions Estimation and Reporting Standards Reference Group
The Australian Government has established a Voluntary Emissions Estimation and Reporting Standards Reference Group. The purpose of the Reference Group is to provide guidance and advice:
- to support the development of ‘standards’ for agriculture, fishery and forestry
- on stakeholder needs for incorporation of ‘standards’ into GHG calculators and accounting tools.
The Reference Group is co-chaired by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the Zero Net Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre. It includes representatives from industry, the supply chain, finance sector, First Nations groups, agricultural service providers and researchers.
For further information on the Reference Group (including membership) and progress in developing the voluntary ’standards’, please visit the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.