On The Land
2 April, 2023
Roadmap charts path to zero emissions
THE Far North’s agriculture industry will play a big part in reaching the state’s 2050 net zero emissions target, with the pathway set out by last week’s release of the Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022-2032 by the Queensland Government.
The roadmap charts a route for Queensland to achieve even cleaner and greener food and fibre production, while remaining a world-leader in agriculture.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the roadmap would help 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,” he said.
“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.”
The roadmap was developed following consultation between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and key industry partners and identifies five focus pathways:
• Livestock emissions
• Cropping and horticulture emissions
• On-farm energy opportunities
• Carbon farming and landscape management, and
• Regions and supply chains.
Some of the key actions include a 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, and an industry-led development of an info portal to educate producers on carbon farming options.
AgForce CEO Mike Guerin said the roadmap would help producers by providing key areas to prioritise their focus including natural asset management, business profit-ability and risk management.
“Queensland’s producers recognise the importance of adopting new practices and technologies to ensure the long-term sustainability of their industry,” he said.
“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.”
Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Jo Sheppard also welcomed the roadmap which would assist “in providing clarity to farmers about some of the options available to them as they embark on their own low emissions journey”.
“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,” she said.
“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 out-comes and stronger regional communities.”
