August 14, 2023

CSIRO report suggests Australia's red meat industry may miss carbon neutrality target

According to a recent report by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian government agency, Australia's red meat industry might not achieve its stated goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, ABC News reported.

While the report indicates a shortfall, Jason Strong, managing director of Meat and Livestock Australia, contends that the industry's deviation from the target is only around 10%. Strong remains optimistic that increased adoption of new abatement strategies could bridge this gap.

Despite the setback, Strong highlights that there are still seven years to the deadline and comprehensive plans are in place to reach the carbon neutrality objective. In 2017, the red meat industry announced its ambitious target with the aim of distinguishing Australian beef, lamb, and goat in the global protein market.

The CSIRO report, which evaluated emissions from 1990 to 2020, forecasts an emissions growth of 12.2 megatonnes of CO2, equivalent to 63.5 megatonnes by 2030. Strong anticipates that enhanced implementation of various strategies such as feed additives, breeding for reduced methane emissions, improved herd management, and forage crops will help close the carbon neutrality gap.

Strong emphasised the significance of advancements in areas like feed additives, which have demonstrated a potential reduction of up to 90% in methane emissions from ruminants. He expresses confidence in the collaborative efforts of the research community and the commercial sector to deliver these solutions effectively to grazing animals.

Regarding the industry's resilience, Strong asserts its ability to address challenges effectively. He underscores that the ambitious carbon neutrality target provides Australian producers an advantageous position, particularly in negotiations like the European Union Free Trade Agreement.

The red meat industry's pursuit of carbon neutrality incorporates diverse natural sequestration elements, including tree cultivation on farms, soil carbon storage, and management of savannah burning.

Strong said that the primary challenge isn't related to livestock numbers but rather ensuring effective solutions for emission reduction and capture. He said that the industry's focus is on simultaneously enhancing herd and flock size while managing emissions and environmental impact responsibly.

-      ABC News