Australia has joined the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate action at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the endorsement supported long-standing industry leadership on sustainable agriculture.
“Australian agriculture has a proud track record of sustainable farming, and many farming groups are working towards ambitious emissions targets they’ve set for themselves, finally with a Federal Government at their side,” Minister Watt said.
“The Emirates Declaration is a commitment to scale-up adaptation and resilience activities across the agriculture sector, which is important because Australian farmers face all sorts of challenges made worse by climate change, including drought and increased natural disasters.
“The declaration aims to maximise the climate and environmental benefits associated with agriculture and food systems.
“And it will deepen ties with valued trading partners across the globe-countries who are increasingly demanding strong sustainability credentials for food and fibre imports.
“Everybody wins: our farmers, our exporters and the next generation of Australian primary producers.”
Minister Watt said the statement was consistent with the National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture endorsed by all Australian agriculture ministers in July this year.
The Albanese Government is also investing in new technology and help for farmers to adopt even more sustainable practices, and has recently begun consultation on Australia’s first agriculture and land sector plan for reducing emissions.
“Our farmers are on the front line when it comes to climate change. Over the last 20 years, ABARES modelling shows climate change has reduced the average Australian farm’s profitability by 23 percent – about $30,000,” Minister Watt said.
“And unfortunately, farmers more often than not bear the brunt of extreme weather that has become increasingly common around the country.
“This is one more way that we are working to secure both the future of Australian agriculture in the face of those threats and our trusted position in the global marketplace.”
