Australian farmers and land managers, the stewards of our land and natural resources, are facing the increasingly urgent need to adapt to a changing climate and transition to a low emissions future. Industry is already responding to the challenge. They are innovating, adapting and improving resilience.
But tackling climate change and sustainability goals across the agriculture sector is not something that can be done alone – it requires partnerships and collaboration. Climate and sustainability are a central priority for the Australian Government, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is committed to supporting the agriculture sector to adopt sustainable agriculture practices and farm in a changing climate, while driving agricultural productivity.
Through the current 5-year phase of the Natural Heritage Trust, the Australian Government has invested $302.1 million through the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. The program is empowering the agriculture sector to build on its reputation as world-leading by supporting the adoption of practices that reduce emissions, increase the health of our farmland and preservation of our biodiversity, and build resilience against climate change.
The program is funding 178 projects across Australia through nine integrated investment streams, each designed to address different aspects and scale of sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on innovation, capacity building and on-ground scalable projects. Funded projects range from soil health and water management to climate adaptation, emissions reductions, environmental markets and extension and outreach initiatives.
The program actively encourages partnerships and collaboration, with the majority of these projects including a range of consortium partners and project partners that are helping to achieve outcomes. This includes partnerships with landcare organisations, Natural Resource Management groups and First Nations people.
The Australian Government also recently released the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan, one of six sector level emissions reduction plans underpinning a Net Zero Plan. The sector plan establishes a framework for Australian producers to contribute to, and most importantly benefit from, the whole-of economy transition. It was developed in partnership with industry, building on the significant work already underway.
The sector plan will help ensure that Australia remains a leader in the production of low emissions food and fibre globally. It is backed by significant investment, including $60.8 million to support emissions reduction efforts and an additional $1 billion for the Regional Investment Corporation, including agreement to broaden its scope to provide assistance that builds climate resilience, boosts productivity and supports agriculture to be part of the net zero transition.
These DAFF-led initiatives will support us in transitioning to a more sustainable future through partnerships and collaboration
For more information about the Climate-Smart Agriculture visit: agriculture.gov.au/climate-smart
For more information on the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan visit: agriculture.gov.au/ag-and-land-sectoral-plan
You can read this article and many more insightful and inspiring stories from the landcare community in the latest edition of Landcare in Focus Magazine.