Summary

Agricultural entities large and small are now reimagining, redesigning and regenerating landscapes and economic sectors as they acknowledge the increasing inevitability of a net zero emissions world. As climate change causes an increase in the frequency and strength of natural disasters, farmers must cope with an extended range of financial risks while juggling productivity and efficiency goals. While farmers want to invest in sustainability measures, improve natural capital and participate in carbon markets, these measures usually involve cost and effort – and the benefit to the farming business is not always readily apparent.
As more options to engage in new carbon markets become available, a ‘confusopoly’ has developed in the Australian market and for many primary producers the perceived cost of participation – be it time, money or both – is higher than the return. Increasing sustainability-based regulatory and/or reporting requirements in global trade markets and the finance sector add to the confusion and increase the perception of difficulty. The drivers of participation – policy commitments, corporate risk and consumer desire often overlap.
However, these trends present emerging opportunities for those producers who are able to navigate this complex landscape. And the best tools for navigating tricky landscapes are maps and trusted advisors.
The Australian Farm Institute and Carbon Market Institute therefore propose to develop for Australian primary producers:

A Carbon Market Map, and
A Colloquium series on Carbon Market Developments & Opportunities

Program

Transformative Industry Action

Research Organisation

Australian Farm Institute