Queensland’s agriculture industry will play a big part in reaching the state’s 2050 net zero emissions target, with the pathway set out by the 21 March 2023 release of the Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022-2032 by the Palaszczuk Government.
The Roadmap charts a clear route for Queensland to achieve even cleaner and greener food and fibre production, while remaining a world-leader in agriculture.
The Roadmap is the result of a productive co-design approach with industry, with key themes and actions identified in a Palaszczuk Government commissioned CSIRO report.
The Palaszczuk Government has joined with industry partners to create the best conditions for a sustainable future across five focus pathways:
- Livestock emissions
- Cropping and horticulture emissions
- On-farm energy opportunities
- Carbon farming and landscape management
- Regions and supply chains
View the Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022–2032 at https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/news-media/campaigns/low-emissions-roadmap
Roadmap fast facts:
- Plan for industry-led research into methane reduction stock feeds for livestock
- Industry-led support for development of green fertiliser options
- Exploring opportunities to promote on-farm use of renewable energy
- Industry-led development of info portal to educate producers on carbon farming options
- Review of preferred futures and actions after 5 years
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
“This Roadmap will help Queensland agribusinesses thrive while they reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“It will give producers clarity on how they can actively prepare and implement practice change to manage risks to their business.
“Those who implement plans to lower greenhouse gas emissions now will have fewer transition costs and disruption to their business than those who delay and find themselves urgently responding to market forces.
“This Roadmap was written following an extensive consultation process between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and key industry partners.
“The aim is to provide a structured, smooth transition, while minimising dramatic changes.
“Now is the time to take action – adopt the roadmap’s strategies and yield the benefits of secure long-term economic and social prosperity.
“But this is not a set and forget approach—we will keep refining the roadmap as over time we develop even more emissions reductions solutions.”
Quotes attributable to AgForce CEO Mike Guerin:
“The Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap will help producers by providing key areas to prioritise their focus including natural asset management, business profitability and risk management.
“Queensland’s producers recognise the importance of adopting new practices and technologies to ensure the long-term sustainability of their industry.
“As proud and responsible contributors to the state’s economy, we recognise the importance of supporting the roadmap and doing what we can to lower emissions to promote long-term sustainability.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Jo Sheppard:
“The Roadmap will assist in providing clarity to farmers about some of the options available to them as they embark on their own low emissions journey.
“As Queensland agriculture strives to respond in meaningful and sustainable ways to continuing global demand for a transition to low emissions production, the roadmap will help coordinate some of the messaging in what is becoming an increasingly crowded marketplace.
“A strong agriculture sector is important to us all and we need to make sure that farmers are supported to achieve environmental outcomes whilst still being able to do what they do best in producing the world’s best food, fibre and foliage.
“It is so important that Government works closely with industry to ensure the future economy of agriculture to safeguard the future of all Queenslanders to achieve our ultimate goals of a viable, sustainable agriculture sector, sound environmental outcomes and stronger regional communities.”
Source : Arr