NSW Government releases report to guide primary industries to lower emissions

THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) has released a report to help farmers and primary industries reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while maintaining or enhancing productivity and sustainability.

The NSW Land and Primary Industries Low Emissions Options Report identifies near-term priority emissions abatement measures for industry subsectors including livestock production, dairy, fisheries, cropping, horticulture, and forestry.

The report considers potential innovation, policy, and investment enablers to help NSW meet its emissions reduction targets and build resilience.

The report draws on scientific expertise and industry experience to comprehensively assess available options such as:

– feed additives to inhibit methane production in ruminant livestock industries

– biochar as a soil amendment, waste management, and carbon removal strategy

– herd management including breeding for high feed use and low methane production

– small-scale renewables and electrification to replace internal combustion engine use

– the use of biofuels and biodiesel to power machinery and vehicles

– precision fishing activities to minimise fuel use and emissions intensity

– environmental plantings to establish trees on previously deforested land

Stakeholders from the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors participated in a consultation process to explore priority abatement measures, provide feedback on barriers to adoption, and identify opportunities to facilitate uptake.

“This work includes research into low methane livestock, low methane pastures, reducing nitrous oxide emissions in cotton and grain systems, as well as enhancing carbon storage in soils and vegetation,” the DPIRD said in a statement.

“As a partner in the Cooperative Research Centre Zero Net Emissions Agriculture, NSW is a leader in programs such as feed base solutions to reduce methane and guidance for on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting.”

The NSW Government is also investing in capacity building for farmers to enable them to meet emissions expectations in the supply chain and participate in formal carbon markets including the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.

“These initiatives include the Primary Industries and Productivity and Abatement Program and the On-Farm Carbon Advice project, the LLS Natural Capital Advisors and a major partnership with grains and cotton industries through the Low Emissions Intensity Farming Systems initiative.”

The report was funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP), NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub’s Land and Primary Industries Network (LPIN).

NSW DPIRD Executive Director Climate and Natural Resources Jason Crean said the report provides a comprehensive assessment of potential emission reduction options for primary industries in NSW.

“The report provides the evidence behind practical and strategic options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration across the land and primary industries sector,” Dr Crean said.

NSW DPIRD Senior Principal Research Scientist Annette Cowie, who led the project, said the report will unlock innovation, investment, and shared benefits.

“The findings and insights contained in the report provide a platform for collaboration between governments, research and development corporations, industry bodies, land managers and researchers,” she said.

Visit dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/climate/Low-emissions-agriculture/Low-Emissions-Options-Report for the full report.