A panel of Australian protein producers was at the 2022 Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC summit (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt to discuss the country’s commitments and progress in climate mitigation.
The Australia’s Sustainability Agricultural Efforts panel is Michelle Gortan (Farming for Future), Edwina Clowes (Meat & Livestock Australia – MLA), Sam Gill (MLA), Fiona Simson (National Farmers Federation – NFF), Sam Elsom (Sea Forest), Nick Hazell (v2Food) and Andrew Jones (Bureau of Meteorology).
Joining the Australian government’s decarbonisation panel presentation and the Agriculture Day panel presentation, Gill, MLA regional manager – Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the Australian red meat and livestock industry’s Carbon Neutrality by 2030 target (CN30), the roadmap to meet that commitment, and industry’s progress to date.
The MLA said that since 2005, the Australian red meat and livestock industry has reduced net emissions by almost 60 per cent and halved its contribution to national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“This represents the greatest reduction by any sector in Australia’s economy and a critically important story for the industry to be telling at COP27,” Gill said.
“While the Australian red meat and livestock industries have made great strides compared to similar industries overseas, it was highly beneficial to share our expertise with our international colleagues.”
In October, the federal government signed the Global Methane Pledge, joining more than 100 other countries in a commitment to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
Sea Forest CEO Sam Elsom, whose company is working with a number of agricultural companies trialling its Asparagopsis based SeaFeed supplement (including Australian Agricultural Company (AACo), Fonterra, Dickson Ag, and Ruminati to reduce methane emissions), said it was “an enormously encouraging first step in building a framework to deliver meaningful reductions”.
“An ambition, combined with a clear minimum target, is a critical starting point for any nation as it reduces its carbon footprint. This decision underscores that Australia is a willing global participant in the fight to reduce emissions,” Elsom said.
“COP27 was an excellent opportunity to showcase the scientific innovation done by the Australian red meat and livestock industry towards CN30. We are looking forward in continuing these conversations in market here in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as all around the world,” Mr Gill said.
The plant-based protein market was represented by v2Food CEO Nick Hazell. “Australia can and should lead sustainability in food and agriculture. The meat industry has a major part to play, the opportunity and responsibility are equally immense,” he said.
Hazell was also on a panel with Impossible Foods, Oatly, BCG, Upfield, and Proveg on how to massively scale uptake of plant-based meat and alternative protein.
“We have very little time but with these visionary companies together we can make a difference, for all humans on the planet including emerging and Asian markets.
“Australia can actually lead here. We have great Science, ambitious entrepreneurs, amazing farmers, and a government who cares about climate change. We need to accelerate,” he said.
NFF president Fiona Simson said, “Our goal is that farming and forestry are better recognised in national and global policy as solutions to help Australia reach its climate targets and help the world fight climate change. We will be on the ground to turn the dial on policy.
“Australian farmers have a remarkable track record of adopting new practices to drive down emissions, and we have ambitious targets to go further. We need to ensure our efforts are recognised by policymakers globally, who should be looking to Australia as an exemplar for climate-smart farming,”
Gill said, “Greater attention around food security, food systems, food production and agriculture were evident at COP27 compared to previous forums which was encouraging to see.
“Farmers right around the world need to be engaged early in government and policy discussions when it comes to the overall climate solution.”
