GROWERS AHEAD OF THE GAME ON CLIMATE POLICY

CANEGROWERS has released a new Climate Change Policy that will assist in telling the industry’s story, while also outlining how, with the right government support, the industry can help Australia successfully achieve a low emissions future.

Developed by the grower-led Environment and Sustainability Committee and endorsed by grower representatives from all districts at the November CANEGROWERS Policy Council meeting, the policy is the first of its kind for the industry.

“Smartcane BMP helps growers reduce their impacts and many of these practices are the same practices that you would need to adopt to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions."

“Most people are well aware of the climate change issue and the role of emissions from human activities impacting on the environment,” CANEGROWERS Senior Manager for Environment and Sustainability Mick Quirk said.

“All industries have a part to play in addressing climate change.

“This policy is documenting what the CANEGROWERS position is, what the issues might be, where the risks are for the industry, and where the opportunities lie, so that we can put the role of our industry into context.”

The good news is that Queensland’s sugar industry has a positive story to tell, with a lot of work already done by sugarcane growers.

This policy will ensure the industry is ahead of the debate so that we are not at risk of becoming another scapegoat.

“Our industry is relatively ahead of the game on the issue of climate change,” CANEGROWERS policy officer Elisa Westmore said.

"A lot of our farmers are based along the Queensland coast and close to the Great Barrier Reef, and for that reason there has been a lot of work on trying to manage the risk to water quality.

“Smartcane BMP helps growers reduce their impacts and many of these practices are the same practices that you would need to adopt to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.

“There has already been a lot of underpinning research into understanding the industry emissions profile and it indicates that the sugar industry can be part of the potential solutions to some of the climate change issues.

“We are amongst the best feedstocks for biofuel and bioproducts and in the near future there will remain a major role for biofuels to play in reducing the emissions from transport and manufacturing industries.”

It all starts with understanding the industry’s emissions

Roughly half of the industry’s emissions are called infield emissions, that is nitrous oxide coming off the field after applying fertiliser. The nitrogen in fertiliser is turned into nitrous oxide which is a greenhouse gas.

The other half of the industry’s emissions come from using non-renewable energy, like diesel to power tractors and other farm machinery, and using electricity to power irrigation.

The good news is when growers use the SIX EASY STEPS methodology and match their inputs to the crop’s requirements, this assists in reducing emissions and importantly, it can save on cost.

Ultimately the use of the industry’s best environmental practice should also be consistent with improving profitability, Mick says.

“Smartcane BMP, which is informed by industry growers with Sugar Research Australia experience and research data, is good at identifying win-win practices where things are good for the environment and also good for production and profit.

“The Climate Change Policy will assist CANEGROWERS to benchmark where we are, and then see what we can do to leverage opportunities, noting that this is a challenge for all agricultural industries.

“By being proactive on this policy we want to ensure the industry is not a victim of policy and commitments of government"

“Food security is very important, no one wants to compromise productivity, and no one wants to compromise the profitability of growers, it’s about what we can do practically to manage expectations around emissions while we ensure we build the viability of the industry and the productivity of our farms.

“By being proactive on this policy we want to ensure the industry is not a victim of policy and commitments of government, but instead we inform and lead the discussions to obtain a benefit of these policy changes.”

Mick and Elisa delve into the new policy on the latest CANEGROWERS podcast. Find it on the CANEGROWERS website at www.canegrowers.com.au. 