First national statement on climate change and agriculture agreed by Ministers

The agriculture sector’s leading role in tackling climate change has been reinforced, following the release of a new National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture, agreed by the nation’s Agriculture Ministers.

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the national statement is an Australian first.

“This national statement is a shared commitment by Federal, State and Territory Agriculture Ministers to provide leadership and work in partnership with our agriculture sector, so that Australia leads the world in climate-smart agriculture practices,” Minister Watt said.

“This statement is a snapshot of where Australia’s ag industry is at now, and a clear-eyed assessment of future work that needs to be done.

“A climate-smart, sustainable agriculture sector will help make farming more productive and profitable, better protect our environment, increase access to international markets and strengthen our rural communities. 

“There are emerging opportunities to act on climate change in the agricultural sector and this statement clearly demonstrates that we have the means and the will to get there.

“ABARES modelling shows that over the last 20 years, climate change has reduced the average Australian farm’s profitability by 23 percent.”

“And ten years of delay and dysfunction on climate policy from the former Liberal-National Government has only added to that cost.

“Rather than holding our agriculture sector back, we are getting on with the job of dealing with the reality of climate change and this statement is more evidence of that.”

Minister Watt said while the former government refused to accept climate change was real, the agricultural industry has not been idle. 

“We know Australia’s farmers are already incorporating sustainable, climate-smart practices into their businesses,” Minister Watt said.

“Figures published last week by ABARES showed that farmers are adapting and adopting new technologies and practices to deal with the effects of climate change.

“The industry’s peak bodies, like the National Farmers Federation, Meat and Livestock Australia, the Red Meat Advisory Council and GrainGrowers, have all committed to reducing agricultural emissions, but there is still more work to do.

“We want to see agricultural production continue to rise, and this will be enabled by using climate-smart agricultural practices that improve adaptation and resilience in the face of a changing climate.

“Having the Federal, State and Territory Governments all rowing in the same direction is another step forward, to protect and grow our ag sector, in the face of climate change.”

Minister Watt said the Albanese Government’s May budget included funding for specific programs to help producers reduce the impacts of climate change on their businesses.

“We’re investing more than $300 million through the Natural Heritage Trust to support farmers to improve agricultural productivity, competitiveness and sustainability across the country.

“Through effective on-ground projects, we will support farmers to manage climate risks and invest in their on-farm natural capital and effective natural resources management.

This will help the sector to respond to climate change, better withstand future bushfires, floods and droughts and protect its productivity.

“These shared efforts between governments and industry, focused on a climate-smart, sustainable sector will help make farming more productive and profitable. 

“It will better protect our environment, increase access to international markets and strengthen our farming communities.

“By providing an opportunity for national collaboration that drives change and underpins climate-smart practices it allows the industry to ensure that the future of agriculture will be as prosperous as possible.”

For more information on the National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture click here.