An Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Carbon Biosequestration Opportunities from Rural Land Use
This 172-page report estimates the amount of greenhouse gases that can be stored or mitigated by changes in rural land use in Queensland and more broadly, Australia.

Carbon and rural land use: key findings
An analysis of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Biosequestration Opportunities from Rural Land Use. This report estimates the amount of greenhouse gases that can be stored or mitigated by changes in rural land use in Queensland and more broadly, Australia.

Sydney climate partnership wins top prize (Media Release)
PORTFOLIO: Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
http://www.csiro.au/news/Sydney-climate-partnership-wins-Eureka.html
SNIPPET: The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. CSIRO expertise is organised into 16 research areas. The Marine National Facility -.

TITLE: More grants open to help farmers adapt to climate change - The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
PORTFOLIO: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/august/more_grants_open_to_help_farmers_adapt_to_climate_change
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government is expecting more strong interest from farmers in the latest round of funding to help them adapt to climate change. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today said applications are now open for the second round of FarmReady Industry Grants. 'Our farming sector will be among the hardest hit by climate change if we don't act now to help farmers adapt to the challenges of the future.

Streamlined environmental assessments Australia wide - media release 13 July 2009
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2009/mr20090713.html
Bilateral agreements for environmental assessments are now in place between the Commonwealth and all Australian states and territories with Victoria and the ACT both signing agreements in the past month. Victoria and the ACT can now run a single environmental assessment process for projects that require environmental approval at both a federal and a state/territory level.

$26 million boost for Landcare projects - The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/$26_million_boost_for_landcare_projects3
SNIPPET: Farmers, farmer groups and industry bodies will benefit from $26 million in Rudd Government funding for 56 Landcare projects across Australia - part of a major investment in land management and sustainable agriculture. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the funding while visiting the Little River Landcare site, near Dubbo today. 'The projects funded today will help 30 Landcare groups and 20 other community organisations continue the good work,' Mr Burke said.

APO Research Reports

Plan B: an agenda for immediate climate action
Greenpeace Australia 11 June, 2009 The federal government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme needs to go back the the drawing board according to a coalition of green groups. In the meantime, here's a plan for implementing immediate solutions that will reduce emissions and create jobs.

Designing climate mitigation policy
Resources for the Future05 June, 2009 This US paper provides an exhaustive review of critical issues in the design of climate mitigation policy by pulling together key findings and controversies from diverse literatures on mitigation costs, damage valuation, policy instrument choice, technological innovation, and international climate policy.

Water use on Australian farms, 2007-08
Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS11 June, 2009 This publication presents estimates of agricultural water use, including pastures and crops irrigated. Estimates are presented for Australia, state/territories and Natural Resource Management (NRM) regions, as well as for the Murray-Darling Basin.

Climate 2030: A national blueprint for a clean energy economy
Union of Concerned Scientists05 June, 2009 Reducing oil dependence. Strengthening energy security. Creating jobs. Tackling global warming. Addressing air pollution. Improving our health. The United States has many reasons to make the transition to a clean energy economy.

Research to help farmers with climate change

Australian Government Media Releases

Greenhouse accounts show emissions growth
The latest National Greenhouse Accounts released today demonstrate the need to turn Australia's emissions around, Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said today.


Effects of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme on the economic value of farm production
The report, Effects of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme on the economic value of farm production, was released today by ABARE Executive Director Phillip Glyde. The report showed that the economic value of farm production in broadacre industries could decline by between 0.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent in 2011 as a result of the CPRS, depending on the degree of cost-price pass-through from processors to farmers.


Another major research investment to help farmers adapt to climate change
- The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Rudd Government has announced another major research investment to help our agricultural industries adapt to climate change, including the grain, grape, dairy, aquaculture and beef industries. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has announced a total of $37.6 million for ten projects, under the Climate Change Research Program. This project will evaluate genetic traits in wheat and sorghum for climate change adaptation.

Australian Government Media Releases

Largest biochar research project in Australia's history - The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
PORTFOLIO: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/largest_biochar_research_project_in_australias_history
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government today announced $1.4 million for the biggest biochar research project in Australia's history - and one of the biggest in the world. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the funding, under the Government's Climate Change Research Program. 'This project builds significantly on current research within the CSIRO and our research partners.

ABARE
http://www.abareconomics.com/corporate/media/2009_releases/21may_09x2.html
SNIPPET: The details were announced in the ABARE report Electricity generation: major development projects - April 2009 listing, released today by Phillip Glyde, ABARE Executive Director. The advanced projects have a combined generating capacity of 4792 megawatts. Non-renewable electricity generation projects account for around 84 per cent of the total committed additions to capacity.

Australian Government Media Releases

$29.5m in grants to cut office emissions

Call for CCS flagships proposals

$6.3 million from Rudd Govt to help land managers adapt to climate change - The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/may/$6.3_million_from_rudd_govt_to_help_land_managers_adapt_to_climate_change
The Rudd Government is continuing to roll out programs to help primary producers adapt to climate change, with another $6.3 million announced today. Up to $158,000 - CQ Best Practice - Managing climate change from the ground up - CQ Best Practice Group. Up to $220,000 - Climate change adaptation module - Southern Farming Systems.

Keynote address Property Council of Australia Sustainable Property - The Future is Green - speech 20 May 2009
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2009/sp20090520.html
One is about perspective - because our public policy debates sometimes - and sometimes necessarily - veer into the abstract. Of course, some of you have had the motivation for some time (Mike Zorbas comes to mind), and the work of the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia has gone a long way towards raising the profile of green buildings.

Senate Papers

The CPRS: Economic cost without environmental benefit - interim report
Senate select committee11 May, 2009 The committee recommends that the government reconsider its proposed approach to how Australia can best contribute to a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

11 May Consumers have not forgotten about the pre- crisis warnings of global warming, as a growing wave of consumers are being driven by lifestyle concerns issues such as health and the environment.<http://au.acnielsen.com/site/documents/EcoAussiesPanoTechTraderMAY09.pdf%3ESubmission:

Implementation, Operation and Administration of the Legislation Underpinning Carbon Sink Forests [Australian Parliament Website]From: Kip & Diana Nunn Sent: Saturday, 12 July 2008 4:52 PM To: RRAT, Committee (SEN) Subject: Inquiry into the Implementation , Operation and Administration of the Legislation Underpinning Carbon Sink Forests To Whom It May Concern, I would like to submit that it isDate: 11/05/2009 - Collection: Senate - Sub Collection: Senate Committee Reports ID: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/carbon_sink/submissions/sub01.pdf

Submission: Inquiry into Climate Change and the Australian Agricultural Sector [Australian Parliament Website]D:20080312094050Z Inquiry into Climate Change and the Australian Agricultural Sector KMBT_750 ABARE report, Climate change , Drought assistance programs KONICA MINOLTA bizhub 750 D:20090511152456+10'00' Submission : Inquiry Date: 11/05/2009 - Collection: Senate - Sub Collection: Senate Committee Reports ID: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/climate_change/submissions/sub01.pdf - Size: 404 Kb

Australian Government Media Releases

Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant package expanded - media release 24 April 2009
PORTFOLIO: Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
URL: http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2009/mr20090424.html
SNIPPET: Under these revisions, the Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package has been extended to irrigators with farms between 15 and 40 hectares, Senator Wong said. This expansion of the Small Block Irrigators Exit Grant Package provides increased opportunities for irrigators to exit the industry while remaining in their own homes and communities, Senator Wong said

Greenland's 'good news' methane finding (Media Release)
PORTFOLIO: Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
URL: http://www.csiro.au/news/Methane-clathrates-findings.html
SNIPPET: The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. CSIRO expertise is organised into 16 research areas. The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research is a partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Rural women to take greater role in climate change challenge

The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
PORTFOLIO: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government wants women in rural and regional Australia to play a central role in helping their communities prepare for the biggest challenge of all - climate change. Organisations that support rural women are reminded they have until 9 April 2009 to apply for grants worth up to $50,000 under the Recognising Women Farmers initiative. 'Rural women are hard-working and innovative,' Mr Burke said.

$32 million for research into Australia's soil carbon and emissions

The Hon Tony Burke MP - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
PORTFOLIO: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
SNIPPET: The Rudd Government today announced nearly $32 million to research soil carbon and nitrous oxide emissions in Australian agriculture as part of its commitment to address climate change. Key priorities for the soil carbon research will include:. Nitrous Oxide Research Program.

Research to cut greenhouse gas emissions in livestock

For the first time, Australia will invest in a major research effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock – the nation’s third largest source of emissions, including methane.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced $26.8 million will support 18 projects over the next four years.

This includes funding from the Federal Government, research organisations and industry bodies.

It is part of the Climate Change Research Program which has three key priorities including reducing greenhouse pollution, better soil management and adapting to a changing climate.

Mr Burke said the unprecedented research effort would help to achieve significant cuts to Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Projects will include:

exploring dietary supplements and alternative feeds to reduce methane production within livestock
the use of chemical or biological controls of bacteria in the stomach of livestock to help reduce emissions; and
genetic approaches such as selective breeding to lower livestock emissions

Rudd Government helping farmers deal with climate change

The Rudd Government is continuing to help our primary industries prepare for climate change with applications now open for FarmReady grants to reimburse the cost of training courses.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said those in the farming, fisheries and forestry sectors could now apply to reclaim up to $1,500 per year for attending approved training courses.

The FarmReady funding is available under the Climate Change Adjustment Program, which aims to help primary producers with professional advice, training and re-establishment grants.

It is part of Australia’s Farming Future, the Rudd Government’s key initiative to invest in research and training to help the farming sector to boost productivity and adapt to climate change.

Agriculture and Climate Change: The Policy Context

Agriculture and Climate Change: The Policy Context is the first in a series of two Farm Bill Policy Notes that look at opportunities and reasons for the U.S. agriculture industry to participate in climate policy discussions. This note analyzes the impact of climate change on U.S. agriculture, discusses sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector, and explains the possible roles for agriculture in proposed climate change legislation. U.S. agriculture producers stand to benefit from proposed climate policy, but only if they become active participants in the climate policy dialogue. With public perception and understanding of climate change at an all-time high, this is an opportune time for farmers to act so future legislation is in their best interest.

Agriculture and emissions trading: The impossible dream?

Agriculture and emissions trading: The impossible dream?
Hugh Saddler and Helen King / The Australia Institute
This paper argues that the Rudd Government should abandon plans to include agriculture in its emissions trading scheme in 2015 and instead consider immediately implementing a carbon levy to reduce emissions from the farm sector. Posted 15-11-2008

Pastoral land rights, livelihoods and adaptation to climate change

Browsing on fences: Pastoral land rights, livelihoods and adaptation to climate change
Michele Nori, Michael Taylor, Alessandra Sensi / International Institute for Environment and Development
Climate change leading to rising temperatures and increasing rainfall variability will affect different regions and people in different ways. The implications of climate change for pastoral livelihoods are not yet fully understood but explored in this paper. Posted 18-11-2008

Climate change implications for Australian agriculture sector

Don Gunasekera and others / Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
The paper examines some of the projected changes in Australian climate and their potential impacts on Australian agricultural production and exports. Posted 23-09-2008

Keep us out of emissions trading - farmers suggesting

16/09/2008 - Farmers have suggested they be permanently kept out of emissions trading, saying there may be better ways to tackle climate change in the bush.

The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is worried emissions trading, due to start in 2010, could put farmers out of business and favour cheap imports.

Interim report: Climate change and the Australian agricultural sector

Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
This report outlines the scientific evidence available on the likely future climate of Australia's key agricultural production zones, and discusses the adequacy of existing drought assistance and exceptional circumstances programs to cope with long-term climatic changes. Posted 10-09-2008