National Farmers’ Federation backs net-zero emissions target by 2050

The farming lobby says agriculture should be a leader in the pursuit for net-zero carbon emissions – but has already been criticised by the Federal Government for its change in policy.

AUSTRALIA’s biggest farming lobby has become the latest major industry group to back a national target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The National Farmers’ Federation today called for more action on emissions reduction, arguing farmers were already leading the way on climate action.

The NFF voted in favour of backing an economy-wide target of net zero emissions at a policy meeting earlier this month – putting it in line with the Business Council of Australia, Australian Industry Group, and every state in Australia.

The policy shift puts the NFF at odds with the Federal Government, which has committed to achieving net-zero sometime after 2050, and has already criticised the lobby for its new position.

National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson.

NFF president Fiona Simson said it was a strengthening of the group’s existing climate goals, arguing farmers were already leading in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the past decade, agriculture has consistently reduced its emissions intensity and net emissions within the Australian economy,” Ms Simson said in a statement.

Agriculture accounted for 12.9 per cent of Australia’s total emissions inventory in 2019, a drop of 5.8 per cent compared with the year before.

However, that drop has primarily been attributed to the declining cattle and sheep herds due to ongoing drought and the North Queensland floods. Figures also show agriculture emissions have remained relatively steady over the past decade.

Industry is already pursuing several initiatives aimed at reducing emissions further, such as the red meat sector’s target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

Farmers for Climate Action chair Lucinda Corrigan said the NFF position was a great start, but still not ambitious enough.

“There is an economic imperative to reaching carbon neutrality,” she said.

“Australia is already known for producing safe and high-quality food. Adding carbon neutrality to our value proposition will give us an edge.”

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said he did not support the NFF’s goal, criticising the fact the new policy lacked any pathway to achieving it.

“Every effort is being made to reduce emissions across the economy, but blindly setting a course to achieve such a goal without a clear strategy could have serious implications, not just on farmers but the entire nation,” Mr Littleproud said.