Maintaining a sustainable and profitable agriculture sector is essential to the longevity and prosperity of Queensland farmers and the environment into the future. As Australia considers implementing a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Queensland has already adopted this target and farmers are already proving themselves to be firmly a part of the solution.
Queensland farmers understand that agriculture is particularly vulnerable to climate change and are taking a proactive approach to reducing emissions on farm by continuing to make significant investments in clean energy to decarbonise the economy. Clean Energy Finance Corporation figures showing a progressive commitment among farmers to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, with more loan incentives taken up by the agriculture sector than any other. Many farmers have received funding through Queensland's Land Restoration Fund and QFF's Energy Savers program has saved nearly 7000 tonnes of carbon to date on just 180 farms.
However, agriculture cannot go it alone and must be included in the net zero plan to ensure the sector benefits. The Towards net zero: Practical policies to reduce agricultural emissions report released by the Grattan Institute last week suggests the federal government should do more to encourage farmers to deploy low-emissions technologies and practices. It should also spend more on programs that provide practical advice to farmers on how to reduce emissions and boost support for research and development of methods that might enable farmers to thrive in a net-zero future, while new forms of green market mechanisms could provide diversified income streams. After all, agriculture is one of the only sectors that can be carbon positive, effectively undertaking activity that goes beyond achieving net-zero carbon emissions to create an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. And data suggests that some of our food and foliage industries are already achieving these goals.
Queensland farmers stand to benefit from actions that reduce emissions and limit climate change. But it is only with strong leadership and a clear pathway that we can maximise this opportunity and ensure a bright future for the environment and the state's agriculture sector.
