Govt’s landmark act to curb emissions

While the move has been welcomed by the country’s leading farming association, they have warned the Federal Government not to follow through on intervention action, like New Zealand legislating the controversial ‘burp tax’ they say “undermines” agricultural productivity.

Australia joins 122 signatories, including the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, in joining the Global Methane Pledge.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison had refused to join the Joe Biden-led commitment, which aims to cut emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

At the time, then-deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce claimed the pledge would force farmers to kill their cattle to curb methane emissions.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen on Sunday said the pledge would contribute to the avoidance of 0.2 degrees of warming.

“We are the world’s 11th biggest emitter of methane,” Mr Bowen said.

“Our approach will not involve new taxes, livestock reductions or arbitrary domestic targets. It will involve international and domestic reductions.”

Signatories to the non-binding pledge commit to reducing emissions in the energy and waste sectors while exploring new technological options and partnerships with farmers in the agricultural sector.

The Federal Government will invest $3 billion to support investment in low emissions technology, component manufacturing and agricultural methane reduction, Mr Bowen announced.

Another $8 million will go to the seaweed industry to support commercialisation of the low-emissions livestock feed supplement Asparagopsis.

Fiona Simon, president of the National Farmers Federation (NFF), said farmers were already leading the charge on climate change.

“For agriculture it will reinforce our demonstrated commitment to sustainability and ongoing access key markets as an export-oriented sector,” Ms Simon said.

NFF chief executive Tony Mahar said farmers had been given assurances there would be no livestock reductions or taxes.

Australia’s farm sector has already reduced its emissions by about 59% on 2005 levels, he said.

“Our red meat sector is planning to be carbon neutral by 2030,” Mr Mahar said.

Agriculture has worked hard on progress in the climate conversation, ensuring our agenda is heard and our caveats are understood.

Mr Bowen said it was an important step for Australia in combating emissions to reduce climate change.

He accused the Opposition of going into a “talespin” over the Federal Government’s decision to sign the pledge, saying the country was moving on from “denial and delay”.

“This does not require Australia to reduce our own emissions by 30 per cent, it requires us to reduce our emissions as much as possible and contribute to a 30% global reduction and improve our measurement,” Mr Bowen told reporters.

“It’s a very sensible thing to be signing.”