DOCSLIB.ORG

Inquiry Into Growing Australian Agriculture to $100 Billion by 2030

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Inquiry Into Growing Australian Agriculture to $100 Billion by 2030 3 December 2019 Committee Secretary Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources PO Box 6021 Parliament House CANBERRA Canberra ACT 2600 Submitted via email Dear Committee members, ClimateWorks Australia submission on inquiry into growing Australian agriculture to $100 billion by 2030 ClimateWorks Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the inquiry on growing Australian agriculture to $100 billion by 2030. ClimateWorks Australia develops expert, independent solutions to assist the transition to net zero emissions for Australia, South-east Asia and the Pacific. A non-profit organisation, it was co-founded in 2009 by The Myer Foundation and Monash University and works within Monash Sustainable Development Institute. Climate change is one of the many challenges facing Australia’s agricultural sector. The CSIRO considered climate change and other large challenges in its 2019 Australian National Outlook report. This found that without undertaking large-scale shifts, including in the sustainable use of land, Australia risks a future of ‘slow decline’. With action, however, there could be multiple rewards of increased productivity, economic opportunities and for the environment. ClimateWorks is currently working in its Land Use Futures project to quantify the size of these opportunities for Australia. There are significant business opportunities for the Australian agriculture sector in sustainable food and land use There are growing global shifts in investment that rewards sustainable land use. One independent US non-government organisation estimated that the international investment in conservation sustainable agriculture grew eightfold globally in the decade to 2015 - with more than US$8 billion committed from private finance. 1 A landmark global report published in September identified a total of US $4.5 trillion dollar annual global business opportunities by 2030 from making ten global transitions to more sustainable food and land use.2 These business opportunities aim to show the size of the potential benefits to private businesses that support sustainable food and land use, above and beyond the benefits to the overall economy. They include a $440 billion business opportunity in improving rural livelihoods, and $200 billion in opportunity for protecting and restoring nature. It also includes a $530 billion opportunity in productive and regenerative agriculture, which the report defines as systems that ‘combine traditional techniques, such as crop rotation, controlled livestock grazing systems and agroforestry, with advanced precision farming technologies which support more judicious use of inputs including land, water and synthetic and bio-based fertilisers and pesticides.’ ClimateWorks Australia is working with CSIRO, Deakin University and global partners to identify the Australian business opportunities that will come from moving to more sustainable food and land use pathways.3 Based on the global evidence available, it is likely that these will be substantial. Opportunities could include the potential for Australia to take the lead on new technologies that promote sustainability, for instance CSIRO-supported Future Feed is a supplement for cattle that reduces their methane emissions while increasing their production4 These opportunities can contribute to the $100 billion by 2030 ambition. The scope of the $100 billion should include these opportunities, and supporting policies and actions should be implemented to support the sector to capture these opportunities. The Australian agricultural sector can build the resilience of Australia’s natural systems, and include this value in the $100 billion dollar ambition Producers of food, fibre and timber manage more than half of Australia’s landmass,5 and their land management decisions can reduce emissions, sequester carbon in soils, trees and other 1 Hamrick, K., State of Private Investment in Conservation, 2016, https://www.foresttrends.org/publications/state-of-privateinvestment-in-conservation-2016/ 2 Food and Land Use Coalition, Growing Better, September 2019, available at https://www.foodandlandusecoalition.org/global-report/ 3 https://www.climateworksaustralia.org/land-use-futures 4 https://research.csiro.au/futurefeed/ 5 Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, ABARES Insights, Issue 1, 2018, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/publications/insights/snapshot-ofaustralian-agriculture 2 vegetation, and protect, restore and build the resilience of natural systems in Australia. The stewardship of these natural systems on private land is valuable and helps to contribute to the health of Australia’s overall economy. It could be recognised by its inclusion, as an explicit estimate, in the $100 billion dollar total. This would more fully recognise the value of farms’ natural capital - that is, the stock of renewable and non-renewable resources on farms, including soil, vegetation, and the carbon stored. Natural capital accounting is an important enabler to help the agricultural sector capture opportunities while maintaining social licence Mainstream economic management has developed mature systems for measuring and valuing human forms of capital. These include rigorous systems and accompanying standards for business-level financial reporting all the way through to national and global economic accounts. These systems enable businesses, investors and policy makers to make informed decisions about financial and economic management. Equivalent systems can be put in place to enable more informed decisions about the environment. Ultimately, this might mean adapting mainstream business accounts to incorporate ‘natural capital accounts’. This could become routine for farming enterprises and other land-based businesses. A range of approaches to measuring and valuing natural capital already exist or are emerging, and land managers could be supported to understand and apply them. Measuring and valuing natural capital can support more informed and adaptive decisions about sustainable land management, policy and investment. Accounting for natural capital on farms can also help build new opportunities, for instance it could unlock premium markets as consumers are able to see how the products they purchase contribute to tangible environmental outcomes. Similarly, better natural capital accounting can help preserve social licence to operate, against risks such as competition for water between irrigators and the environment, and the impact of current farming practices on soil and water resources during droughts. Natural capital accounting can contribute by measuring and reporting on land condition and transparently show the value of farmers’ efforts to improve the environment on the lands they manage. In this way, it could be a valuable opportunity to realise the $100 billion ambition. ClimateWorks has recently published a Natural Capital Roadmap to help illustrate the opportunities and benefits for the Australian land sector of natural capital accounting. 6 6 https://www.climateworksaustralia.org/publication/report/natural-capital-roadmap 3 On behalf of ClimateWorks, I thank you for the opportunity to provide input in response to the inquiry. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions. Yours sincerely, Eli Court Program Manager ClimateWorks Australia 4 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • “ Our Industry Is Driven to Be Productive and Profitable, Inter
    Sustainability update 2021 “ Our industry is driven to be productive and profitable, inter‑generationally sustainable and leaving the environment in better shape” Jason Strong MLA Managing Director Message from MLA Managing Director I am pleased to present MLA’s Sustainability Update For the red meat and livestock industry, sustainability 2021. As a service provider to the Australian red meat represents our best business case for success. Our research and livestock industry, we are regularly asked about and development (R&D) investments are focused on clearly demonstrating that sustainability goes hand in hand our sustainability investments and how they support Contents with profitability. global and industry’s strategic objectives. This document outlines these objectives and captures in The industry has set some ambitious aspirations: one place the significant level of MLA’s investments • to double the value of Australian red meat sales Message from the MD 3 in sustainability across the red meat supply chain. • be the trusted source of highest quality protein by 2030 The Australian red meat and livestock industry is renowned • be recognised as world leaders in animal health, welfare MLA sustainability overview 4 for its resilience. Resilience is the strength most associated and production practices with our Australian beef cattle, sheep and goat producers. For generations we have overcome environmental and • world leaders in agricultural environmental management MLA sustainability investments 6 economic hardships such as drought, fire and flood and and stewardship practices crippling troughs in trade. But in 2020–2021, COVID‑19 • for the red meat and livestock industry to be carbon tested us like never before.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Bioeconomy Report
    Cover image BLUE BIOECONOMY REPORT DECEMBER 2020 WWW.EUMOFA.EU Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Manuscript completed in December 2020. The European Commission is not liable for any consequence stemming from the reuse of this publication. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2020 © European Union, 2020 The reuse policy of European Commission documents is implemented based on Commission Decision 2011/833/EU of 12 December 2011 on the reuse of Commission documents (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). Except otherwise noted, the reuse of this document is authorised under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This means that reuse is allowed provided appropriate credit is given and any changes are indicated. For any use or reproduction of elements that are not owned by the European Union, permission may need to be sought directly from the respective rightholders. The European Union does not own the copyright in relation to the following element: cover photo: © Andrew. Source: stock.adobe.com PDF ISBN 978-92-76-23787-7 doi: 10.2771/33246 KL-02-20-897-EN-N FOR MORE INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32 229-50101 E-mail: [email protected] i CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................................... iii GLOSSARY ...............................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Australia by 2050” In: FABLE 2020, Pathways to Sustainable Land-Use and Food Systems, 2020 Report of the FABLE Consortium
    2020 Report of the FABLE Consortium Pathways to Sustainable Land-Use and Food Systems Published by International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) 2020 The full report is available at www.foodandlandusecoalition.org/fable. For questions please write to [email protected] Copyright © IIASA & SDSN 2020 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Disclaimer The 2020 FABLE Report was written by a group of independent experts acting in their personal capacities. Any views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of any government or organization, agency, or programme of the United Nations (UN). The country chapters use maps prepared solely by the national teams. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of SDSN or IIASA concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Recommended citation: Marcos-Martinez R., Navarro-Garcia J., Hadjikakou M., Bryan B., Zyngier R. and Court E. (2020), “Pathways to Sustainable Land-Use and Food Systems in Australia by 2050” In: FABLE 2020, Pathways to Sustainable Land-Use and Food Systems, 2020 Report of the FABLE Consortium. Laxenburg and Paris: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), pp. 94-129. https://doi.org/10.22022/ESM/12-2020.16896 Recommended Creative Commons (CC) License: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International).
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Varied Uses of Macroalgae As Dietary Supplements in Selected Poultry with Special Reference to Laying Hen and Broiler Chickens
    Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Review A Review of the Varied Uses of Macroalgae as Dietary Supplements in Selected Poultry with Special Reference to Laying Hen and Broiler Chickens Garima Kulshreshtha 1,*, Maxwell T. Hincke 1,2, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj 3 and Alan Critchley 4 1 Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; [email protected] 2 Department of Innovation in Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada 3 Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Campus, Dalhousie University, PO Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada; [email protected] 4 Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and Environment, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Cape Breton, NS B1P 6L2, Canada; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 27 June 2020; Accepted: 15 July 2020; Published: 19 July 2020 Abstract: Seaweeds comprise ca. 12,000 species. Global annual harvest is ca. 30.13 million metric tonnes, (valued ca. $11.7 billion USD in 2016) for various commercial applications. The growing scope of seaweed-based applications in food, agricultural fertilizers, animal feed additives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care is expected to boost market demand. Agriculture and animal feed applications held the second largest seaweed market share in 2017, and the combined market is anticipated to reach much higher values by 2024 due to the impacts of current research and development targeting enhanced animal health and productivity. In general, seaweeds have been utilized in animal feed as a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers with relatively well-balanced amino acid profiles and a unique blend of bioactive compounds.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Seaweed Industry Blueprint
    Australian Seaweed Industry Blueprint A Blueprint for Growth by Jo Kelly Australian Seaweed Institute August 2020 ii © 2020 AgriFutures Australia All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-76053-112-6 ISSN 1440-6845 Australian Seaweed Industry Blueprint – A Blueprint for Growth Publication No. 20-072 Project No. PRJ-012324 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, AgriFutures Australia, the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, AgriFutures Australia, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to AgriFutures Australia Communications Team on 02 6923 6900.
    [Show full text]
  • Solutions, Actions and Benchmarks for a Net Zero Emissions Australia Market Reports
    | MARCH 2020 Solutions, actions and benchmarks for a net zero emissions Australia MARCH 2020 MARCH | 1 AUTHORS CAMERON BUTLER AMANDINE DENIS-RYAN PAUL GRAHAM* ROB KELLY DR LUKE REEDMAN* IAIN STEWART TOM YANKOS All authors ClimateWorks Australia unless indicated. Other affiliations: *Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). ClimateWorks Australia, 2020, Decarbonisation Futures: Solutions, actions and benchmarks for a net zero emissions Australia. PARTNERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Decarbonisation Futures is an initiative of We would like to thank those who have ClimateWorks Australia, supported by provided financial and in-kind support for the CSIRO modelling. Decarbonisation Futures project. We are very grateful to the many experts who provided their time and expertise during the scoping and development of the project, and during the review of inputs and preliminary results. SUPPORTERS We would like to acknowledge CSIRO for its contribution to this report, particularly related to the electricity generation and transport sectors. The Decarbonisation Futures project is supported by funding from: CSIRO Energy is working to ensure economic competitiveness and energy security while Victorian government, Department enabling the transition to a lower-emissions of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; energy future. It is pioneering energy technologies Queensland government, Department of that create value for industry and households Environment and Science; the Clean Energy and provide the knowledge to guide us towards Finance Corporation, Climate-KIC Australia. a smart, secure energy future. CSIRO Energy This financial support assists with undertaking develops pathways to achieve an enduring legacy the research, analysis and stakeholder from energy resources and the social cohesion to engagement for the Decarbonisation Futures tackle the environmental consequences of the project.
    [Show full text]
  • Livestock and Sustainable Food Systems
    United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021 Scientific Group https://sc-fss2021.org/ DRAFT July 06, 2021 Food Systems Summit Brief Prepared by Research Partners of the Scientific Group for the Food Systems Summit July 2021 Livestock and sustainable food systems: status, trends, and priority actions. by Mario Herrero, Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Philip K. Thornton, Jessica Fanzo, Jonathan Rushton, Cecile Godde, Alexandra Bellows, Adrian de Groot, Jeda Palmer, Jinfeng Chang, Hannah van Zanten, Barbara Wieland, Fabrice DeClerck, Stella Nordhagen, Margaret Gill Abstract Livestock are a critically important environmental impacts for which the component of the food system, sector is responsible. We propose eight however, the sector needs a profound critical actions for transitioning transformation to ensure that it towards a more sustainable operating contributes to a rapid transition space for livestock. 1. Shifts in the towards sustainable food systems. This consumption of animal source foods, paper reviews and synthesises the recognising that reductions in evidence available on changes in consumption will be required, demand for livestock products in the especially in communities with high last few decades, and the multiple consumption levels, while promoting socio-economic roles that livestock increases in consumption of vulnerable have around the world. We also groups, including the undernourished, describe the nutrition, health, and pregnant women and the elderly. Diet 1 shifts alone will not produce the deep 1. Introduction transformations required, and the following actions need to be deployed There is global consensus of the at scale at the same time. 2. Continue need to transform food systems to work towards the sustainable achieve critical global goals at the intensification of livestock systems, intersection of human and planetary paying particular attention to animal well-being.
    [Show full text]
  • EIANZ WA Climate Change Issue Paper Submission
    29 November 2019 Climate Change Consultation Department of Water and Environmental Regulation Locked Bag 10, Joondalup DC, WA, 6919 [email protected] Dear Sir / Madam RE: Climate Change in Western Australia- Issues Paper The Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ or Institute) Western Australia Division (EIANZ-WA) is pleased to provide feedback on the Climate Change in Western Australia - Issues Paper (the Issues Paper). We are a not-for-profit, professional association for environmental practitioners. EIANZ promotes independent and interdisciplinary discussion on environmental issues and advocates good practice environmental management delivered by competent and ethical environmental practitioners. We forward this submission on behalf of the Western Australian EIANZ members. Currently we have 150 members in WA while across Australian and NZ we have over 2000 members. Our members come from a range of technical disciplines including certified environmental practitioners (CEnVP), ecological consultants, environmental advocates and environmental specialists working in government, industry and the community. The Division supports the opportunity for stakeholders to contribute early to state climate policy development. This submission aligns with the Institute’s Position Statement on Climate Change1 and draws from the EIANZ submission to Australian Climate Change Policy in 20172 and recent our media statements 3,4. The Institute accepts the international consensus of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that human activities are the main cause of the climate change observed over the last century. The global nature of climate change requires integrated international, national and local responses. We endorse the Paris Agreement of December 2015 to limit the increase in global average temperature to less than 2° C, and pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5° C.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report
    International Virtual Experts Meeting on Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Development in Drylands Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 10th August, 2020 FINAL REPORT Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [email protected] 0 | P a g e Disclaimer This report captures content from independent presentations during a workshop, in addition to content and context added by the authors. The report does not represent a consensus or endorsement by participants or G20 MACS. 1 | P a g e Table of Contents 1. Section I: Executive Summary ......................................................................................... 4 2. Section II: Need for Global Collaboration about Drylands Development ............ 5 3. Section III: Elements contributing Sustainable development in Drylands ......... 13 3.1 Role of Water to Contribute Sustainability in Drylands.................................... 15 3.1.1 Water-related Opportunities to Develop Sustainability in Drylands ....... 16 3.1.1a Good Practices ................................................................................................ 17 3.1.1b Modern Technologies ................................................................................... 18 3.1.1c Collaborative Efforts ..................................................................................... 18 3.1.2 Recommendations/Guidelines for water use efficiency based on the solutions for sustainable development in Drylands, compiled from independent presentations ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • International Research Conference at UC Davis
    18 – 2018 International Research SEPTEMBER 17 SEPTEMBER Conference | at the University of California, Davis Innovation within Changing Political and #InternationalConferenceUCDavis #InternationalConferenceUCDavis Research Environments | globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/international-conference globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/international-conference Welcome to the 2018 International Research Conference at UC Davis As the world changes rapidly and human challenges become increasingly interlinked across borders and disciplines, researchers and scholars play a critical role in forging new models of collaboration and discovery to improve lives around the globe. This is why the 2018 International Research Conference at UC Davis is focused on four themes that are re-shaping the future of international research: the changing political environment, the increasing importance of networks and consortia, the role of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research, and the responsibilities we have to educate the next generation of researchers. We hope this conference provides a unique forum for colleagues from universities, governments, international organizations, and industry to share models for leading innovation in these changing political and research environments. We invite you to network with one another, challenge convention, stretch your limitations and be inspired. It is our pleasure to welcome you to UC Davis to have these important discussions. Sincerely, Ermias Kebreab 2018 International Research Conference Chair Associate Vice Provost of Academic
    [Show full text]
  • Q3 2020 Agtech & Sustainable Food Newsletter
    AgTech & Sustainable Food Market Update Q3 2020 Precision Software & Innovative Crop Science Sustainable Food Agriculture Sensing Farming © Nomura AgTech & Sustainable Food News & Transactions Corporate ■ Beyond Meat is ramping up production in China and signed an agreement to design and Announcements develop production facilities with ready access to Shanghai (Press Release) ■ Cargill announced an initiative to advance regenerative agriculture practices across 10mm acres of farmland in North America by 2030 (Press Release) ■ Chevron U.S.A. has teamed with California Bioenergy, a renewable energy company to produce and market dairy biomethane as renewable natural gas (Press Release) Nomura Greentech’s Take: ■ Conagra Brands unveiled new sustainable packaging for its products in partnership with Berry Global Group, a Fortune 500 manufacturer of plastic products (Press Release) ■ Incumbents are increasingly ■ Dairy Farmers of America, a national dairy cooperative owned by family farmers, has embracing set a sustainability goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% (Press Release) sustainability in their operations to ■ Diageo launched a plastic-free spirits bottle made entirely from sustainably sourced demonstrate progress wood in partnership with Pilot Lite, a venture management firm (Press Release) against critical sustainability goals ■ KIND Healthy Snacks, a producer of healthy snack bars, has committed to sourcing 100% of its almonds from bee-friendly farms (Press Release) ■ KFC partnered with 3D Bioprinting Solutions, a biotech
    [Show full text]
  • Framing Actions Around Co-Benefits for Carbon Mitigation In
    Land Use Policy 85 (2019) 230–238 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Land Use Policy journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/landusepol Missed opportunity? Framing actions around co-benefits for carbon mitigation in Australian agriculture T ⁎ Aysha Fleminga, , Cara Stitzleinb, Emma Jakkua, Simon Fielkea a CSIRO Land and Water, Adaptive Urban and Social Systems, Australia b CSIRO Data 61, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Agriculture around the world is one of the industries most affected by, and faced with responsibility to mitigate, Carbon sequestration climate change. Through improvements in technology and efficiency as well as changes to land use management, Carbon farming agriculture can make an important contribution to meeting global commitments such as the Paris agreement or fi Co-bene ts the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet international carbon markets have not resulted in sufficiently high Farmer values financial returns to motivate the full potential of land sector changes in Australia and globally. Through analysis Farmer motivations of 110 interviews with 55 farmers, 43 advisors and 12 stakeholders in the land sector we identify that the framing of ‘carbon-farming’ in agriculture as a financial opportunity creates a barrier to how farmers perceive participation in carbon markets. As a result of this finding, this paper argues that framing the opportunities with increased attention to co-benefits and broader economic incentives in addition to potential financial opportu- nities could re-invigorate how carbon farming is perceived and adopted. 1. Introduction have chosen to encourage carbon sequestration primarily through fi- nancial motivations. The Australian Carbon Farming Initiative Agriculture is the third highest greenhouse gas emitter in Australia (2011–2015) which became the Emissions Reduction Fund (2015-cur- and is responsible for approximately a quarter of greenhouse gas rent) has seen some financial rewards returned to larger scale projects emissions globally (Smith, 2018; Bustamante et al., 2014).
    [Show full text]