Explaining Emissions
Raising awareness of on farm Emissions calculations/reduction techniques and Environmental Markets
Capacity building - LEP_13_RLC_02
The issue
Carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, emissions reductions targets, these are all terms being bandied about in the media lately. However how many landholders actually understand what it's all about?
The solution
We recognised that it was crucial to provide landholders with factual, up to date, unbiased, and research based information on opportunities in Environmental markets, as well as showing them how they can calculate and reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions on farm, and the opportunities and co-benefits of increasing soil carbon.
North West Regional Landcarers, using funding through the LEP Program's Community of Practice Funding, collaborated with the Department of Primary Industries & Regional development (DPIRD) and North West Local Land Services to deliver "Emissions Explained" Carbon Fundamentals workshops in Bendemeer and Bingara .
Clare Edwards, from DPIRD, explained methods of building carbon, including pasture management, cover cropping, adaptive grazing, changing crop/pasture sequence, and adding carbon rich materials such as compost and biosolids. Methods of reducing on farm greenhouse gas emissions were also covered and included use of feed additives, enhancing fertility, genetically selecting animals that produce less methane, and sowing pastures that reduce ruminant emissions. Natural Capital Advisor Andrew Jack provided attendees with information on opportunities in other environmental markets including Biodiversity Conservation trust agreements and evolving Nature Repair markets
Further research is underway by DPIRD and other agencies to further support farmers in reducing their emissions whilst retaining their productivity. Links to research information and other useful sites were provided to participants. Attendees were also offered the opportunity to receive free on farm carbon advice as a follow up to the workshops, including assistance in completing their emissions calculations, funded by the On Farm Carbon Advice program and also supported by North West Local Land Services.
The impact
Workshop attendees were were eager to learn, and to have their questions answered. There were misconceptions set straight, and also clarity was given around the different scopes and the differences between them, and how they impact landholders. A high percentage of participants had not heard of these prior to the workshops.
Providing attendees on information on how to reduce their carbon emissions simply by best practice management techniques which they were quite likely already engaged in, i.e maintaining soil cover and culling non productive animals, gave them confidence and eased some of their concerns about anticipated regulatory changes.
Key facts
- There are considerable knowledge gaps in the Agricultural industry around Emissions Calculations Reduction methods
- There is a lot of research currently being undertaken by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and other agencies to assist farmers