Last year, we reported on the US-inspired, non-binding “Methane Pledge”, which Australia had joined at the urging of Minister Chris Bowen, who described it as “an aspirational global target for countries to reduce global emissions”.

New Zealand took it to the extreme of imposing what became known as a “fart tax” on farm animals that cause methane emissions. The Australian Minister for Agriculture said his government “had no plans to introduce that system”. The National Farmers Federation, having heard that kind of statement before, sought assurances to guarantee that signing the Pledge would not have a negative effect on Australian farmers.

The reduction in methane emissions which has occurred in the Australian primary industries is part of the situation that Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is pleased to report. Not only has the beef industry a goal to attain “carbon neutrality” status by 2030, but also is on track to realise that aim. Already in 2020, data shows that the industry has achieved a 65 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2005.

The environmental sustainability manager at MLA, Dr Jewell, believes that the progress being made by the meat industry will, by 2030, be above any other industry or government. The latter are setting goals to attain net zero by 2040 or 2050.

However, Dr Jewell suggests that, to reach that target, all greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane) would have to be balanced out with the equivalent amount of new carbon stored in the landscape.

Moreover, she believes that, by reducing the amount of methane emitted at a lower rate, industries can reach a position where methane emissions are not causing additional rises in temperature.

She points out that methane is broken down within 12 years, whereas every molecule of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emitted since the industrial revolution is still heating up the atmosphere.

In addition, the beef industry has set a target of demonstrating its net positive contribution to nature by 2030.

This is being achieved by enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, increasing ground cover, and reducing water use. A large proportion of grazing land is now being actively managed for weed and pest control, prescribed burning, revegetation, and fencing of riparian zones.

As an example of reduced water use, a kilogram of beef is claimed to be produced with 18 per cent less water than 5 years ago, and 73 per cent less than in 1985.

As well as “nature positive” results, these practices to support net emissions reductions will have productivity benefits for beef producers.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 1 September 2023.