Bronwyn Reid

📣The Communique from the Australian Environment Minister's Meeting has been released. 🚮Ministers agreed to release a summary of the "National Roadmap: Harmonising action on problematic and unnecessary plastics", identifying 24 items that jurisdictions have agreed to work together to reduce variations on, without reversing any measures that have been taken. Agreed in principle that future action be coordinated and consistent to the extent possible. 🔋Noted the need for urgent reforms to product stewardship arrangements for batteries to address the escalating risks of battery fires and create a safe, circular economy for batteries. Ministers discussed the findings of a draft Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), prepared by NSW and Victoria, examining options for these reforms. Recognising the need to act quickly to reduce the risks of battery fires, Ministers discussed progression of aligned state-led reforms for mandatory battery product stewardship, with NSW intending to introduce legislation in 2025. 👉 Our position We need to understand the list of 24 items that are on the list being considered for harmonisation. Cigarette filters should be on this list, as one of the most problematic plastics and certainly unnecessary. NSW will implement legislation for batteries. This is a good step, but it would have been ideal to have seen national action, a year after it was raised. 👓 Communique: https://lnkd.in/gDjVKD6E 🗞️ Media release: https://lnkd.in/gRBk729N ⁉️ The media release indicated that all states except Queensland agreed to these measures, without any explanation or context. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

🌿Agribusiness Training Sprints for Emerging Industries🌿 Four supported online learning opportunities. Supported by AgriFutures Australia and RMCG. Registrations for first session close 21 May 2024. ◻ Event 1: Marketplace - 27 May to 21 June - Take practical steps to identify and describe the people you are specifically targeting with your product (customer segment), learn to describe what is unique and important for your customers about your product (value proposition), plan out how you will find and communicate with potential customers (channels) or get a clear plan about how you are going to connect with customers (customer relationships). ◻ Event 2: Money - 22 Jul to 16 Aug - Focus in on an aspect of the financials that you’d like to improve for your emerging industry business. Are you keen to sort out cashflow, minimise costs without compromising quality, or benchmark your pricing against other emerging industry producers like you? Perhaps your accountant might like tax time to be kinder to your business? ◻ Event 3: Production - 26 Aug to 20 Sept - Focus in on the business of improving your production systems and practices. What are the key activities, key resources and key partnerships that allow your emerging industry business to thrive? How can you reduce risks in your production system? Where are the bottlenecks? Where are opportunities for greater efficiency or better quality? ◻ Event 4: Governance & Strategy - 23 Sept to 18 Oct - Take some time to learn about ‘big picture’ business ideas. What is your strategy for future growth? Is export part of the picture, or value-adding? Do you need a business plan and how might it guide your emerging industry business into the future? Do you need a risk plan and how might you get one? What role do professional associations and memberships play in the growth of your business success? Further information and to register - https://lnkd.in/ghtUzfvk #agriculture #naturalresourcemanagement #agribusiness #agriculturendfarming #farmingforthefuture #governance #strategy #agriculturalproduction #customerrelationships #professionaldevelopment

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Australian #agriculture sector needs new methods, policy support to access #carbonmarket ▪️ Emissions accounting gaining ground among farmers ▪️ Soil #carbon method aligning with farmer needs ▪️ Need for more carbon methodologies, policy support Read 📰 https://okt.to/MYFCB6

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Boosting Connectivity on Farms📡 The Australian Government's On Farm Connectivity Program is here to empower primary producers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries with the tools needed for smarter farming. 🌱💻 With $33 million in funding across 2023–24 to 2024–25, this initiative—part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia—supports producers in leveraging connected machinery and sensor technology. The goal? To boost productivity, enhance safety, and promote sustainable farming practices. 🚨 Update on Round 2 Applications: Funding for Round 2 has been fully allocated, and the application portal is now closed while the Business Grants Hub assesses submitted applications. If additional funding becomes available, the portal may reopen. Successful applicants can still submit rebate claims within 120 days to secure their rebates. At MBC Group Services, we understand the transformative power of digital agribusiness solutions and are here to help our farmers in the Central West of NSW navigate funding opportunities, streamline their operations, and achieve their goals. For more information on the program, visit the Australian Government website: https://lnkd.in/gspkwwDG. Need advice or support? Our team is just a call away! 📞 #MBCGroupServices #CentralWestNSW #RegionalNSW #OnFarmConnectivityProgram #DigitalFarming #AgriTech #Agribusiness

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Australian #agriculture sector needs new methods, policy support to access #carbonmarket ▪️ Emissions accounting gaining ground among farmers ▪️ Soil #carbon method aligning with farmer needs ▪️ Need for more carbon methodologies, policy support Read 📰 https://okt.to/dGhjK0

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🌿 Integrating Nature-based Solutions: A Strategic Blueprint for Sustainable Business Practices At BCSD Australia, we want to share insights from the newly released Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Blueprint by WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development. This comprehensive guide provides businesses across all sectors with a structured approach to harnessing NbS for environmental, social, and economic benefits. 🔗 Explore the Nature-based Solutions Blueprint: https://lnkd.in/d4YmR4Vi The Blueprint outlines a pragmatic six-stage process, from identifying opportunities to balanced decision-making, emphasising the critical role NbS play in addressing climate change, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting equity. Key Takeaways: - Strategic Alignment: NbS can significantly contribute to your sustainability goals. - Economic Impact: Understand the cost-benefit dynamics and long-term value of implementing NbS. - Innovation in Action: The complementary NbS Map tool categorizes activities by value, offering tailored solutions for diverse business needs. We believe that integrating NbS into corporate strategies not only addresses urgent environmental challenges but also opens up new avenues for innovation and competitive advantage. We'd love to hear your thoughts: - How is your organisation currently leveraging NbS? - What challenges and opportunities do you foresee in adopting these solutions? BCSD Australia Members will dive deeper into this pivotal resource at our upcoming June Meeting of the Nature Action WorkGroup. Join the conversation and unlock the transformative potential of NbS! Rayne van den Berg Angela Hawdon

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Are you in the Irrigation industry (or aligned industry?) Irrigation Australia and the Department of Employment and Workforce Relations would like to invite you to the upcoming webinar to help you build your workforce. Attend the webinar to find more about different supports, strategies and financial incentives to help you hire. Date: Wednesday, 27th November 2024 Time: 1 pm – 2 pm AEDT (Sydney time zone) Register: Register here.   The webinar will be held in partnership with Irrigation Australia. It will focus on practical strategies and supports, including: -where to get help to recruit/find staff -wage subsidies and other financial incentives -how to hire an apprentice/trainee -and more!  I look forward to seeing you at the webinar! #ELO #apprenticeships #traineeships #recruitment #wagesubsidies #dewr #irrigationaustralia #workforceaustralia #australianapprenticeships

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🌱SOIL CARBON MANAGEMENT - What does it mean in SW NSW and the Mallee? Farmers and advisors join us for a webinar featuring soil experts Dr. Karl Andersson NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Dr. Amanda Schapel Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development. Both experts will share relevant research and practical approaches to enhance soil health and maximise soil carbon stocks in the Mallee landscape. Topics for discussion: 🌱Introduction to soil carbon and its role in farming systems 🌱Expected soil carbon levels in the Mallee 🌱Factors influencing soil carbon levels 🌱Management practices to stabilise or increase carbon in cropping and mixed farms. 🖥️Online webinar: 📆29th October, 2024 ⏰9 - 10am AEDT (VIC/NSW) or 8:30 am AEST (SA) 🔗 https://bit.ly/4hgz2jC Supported by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Soil Science Australia Soil CRC #soilcarbon #capacitybuilding

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Carbon in Agriculture: Understanding Ecosystem Opportunities for Businesses Webinar 🍃 Hosted by Landcare Australia. 10am-12:30pm (AWST) 5 Dec 2024. This webinar offers a unique opportunity for land managers, farmers and graziers to understand how carbon management can impact agricultural businesses. Learn from industry specialists, scientists, and producers. Included in presentations: ✅ Latest research tools and strategies to measure, manage, and monitor carbon. ✅ Insights on improving farm productivity while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health. ✅ Practical advice from real-world experiences from scientists and producers. ✅ Guidance on carbon opportunities and projects that qualify for carbon credits. Further information and to register: https://lnkd.in/gbAzXY4x #agriculture #naturalresourcemanagement #agricultureandfarming #farmingforthefuture #agribusiness #carbon #ecosystems #biodiversity #carbonfarming #professionaldevelopment

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MEDIA RELEASE: Sound science needed to assess carbon impacts of timber harvesting. Forestry Australia has welcomed a new study published in Australian Forestry peer-reviewed journal by the former chief research scientist at the CSIRO, Dr John Raison. The paper, titled A review of the impacts of sustainable harvesting, non-harvest management and wildfire on net carbon emissions from Australian native forests, investigates the science behind claims that timber harvesting increases greenhouse gas emissions. Dr Bill Jackson, Acting President of Forestry Australia said Australian and international studies highlight the potential to lower carbon emissions by producing and using wood products from sustainably managed forests, particularly as substitutes for high-emission building materials. “This paper demonstrates the complexity in accounting for the impacts of changes to forest management on carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions from Australian native forests,” Dr Jackson said. “Assessing carbon impacts of forest management needs to consider the full life cycle of forest management, wood production, processing, use and disposal or reuse.  “The outcome depends heavily on assumptions about initial conditions, harvest intensity, timber recovery, lifetime of forest products, the impacts of wildfire and the time frame of the analysis.  The paper points out that it is important to get these assumptions right, otherwise policy makers can be ill-informed about the effects of their decisions on carbon emissions. Dr Jackson said policy makers also need to consider the short, and long-term, impacts on carbon stocks of decisions to reduce or cease native forest harvesting. This includes the impacts of wildfire and reduced professional forest and fire management capacity in agencies responsible for timber production. “This paper has implications for development of new emission reduction methods under Australia’s ACCU scheme.  “Appropriate, landscape scale analysis using scientifically sound sampling and surveys of carbon stocks and dynamics are required to inform these methods.  “The best opportunities are likely to lie in approaches that improve forest management to better integrate conservation, restoration and sustainable production and use of forest products,” Dr Jackson said.    ENDS    The paper can be viewed here  https://lnkd.in/gQXhcqNn #Carbon #ACCU #PeerReview #Jounral #NativeForestHarvesting #ForetryAustralia

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In collaboration with Australian Conservation Foundation, Beyond Zero Emissions, Climate Council, Environment Victoria, Electrical Trades Union Australia, Farmers for Climate Action, Nature Conservation Council of NSW and World Wide Fund for Nature – Australia, RE-Alliance with NEXA Advisory has drawn up a comprehensive fact sheet about investing in the electricity grid. Nexa Advisory Australian Conservation Foundation Beyond Zero Emissions Climate Council Environment Victoria Electrical Trades Union of Australia Farmers for Climate Action Nature Conservation Council NSW Re-Alliance #cleanenergytransition #savetheplanet #netzeroemissions

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Crystal Ball Warning. The United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP) has been adapted to the Australian context as the Australian Agricultural Traceability Protocol. No-one including myself has perfect crystal ball, but I suspect it's the biggest top-down innovation since the decision to remove trade barriers and tariffs. This video explains the AATP. https://lnkd.in/eRaVj7Nu Regen Farmers Mutual is running a pilot in the beef supply chain that looks at carbon emissions and biodiversity collection and verification using the UNTP/AATP. Our partners include: Australian Farm Institute GS1 GoSource Pty Ltd Digital Finance CRC Turosi Greenham The landscape we are piloting in is the Granite to Goulburn (G2G) in Victoria, but in 2025 we hope to do similar pilots with Cotton (NSW), Cane (QLD) and Grains (TBC) industries. You can see the results of our pilot in G2G so far here: https://lnkd.in/e88hQhkz #transparency #agriculture #landscapeimpact

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Are our agricultural systems prepared for a hotter planet? 🌏🌱 TIA's Director, Professor Mike Rose, joined a panel of experts at the recent Island of Ideas public talk hosted by the University of Tasmania. The topic of conversation was how resources should be channeled into preparing for life on a hotter planet. "A lot of research is going on but I'm of the view that we're walking towards a solution when we need to be sprinting towards a solution," Professor Rose said. Professor Rose said much of the work underway across TIA's research portfolio includes a focus on climate change resilience. This includes building tolerance to waterlogging in crops, increasing resilience to heat, and modelling the effect of climate change on biosecurity. Watch the recorded talk here: https://ow.ly/EhzN50SwGyu #TasInAg #climatechange #AgriculturalResilience #SustainableFarming #AgriculturalResearch

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AusAgritech is mapping the entire national ecosystem of Agritech and is inviting industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to participate in the 2024 Australian Agritech Sector Survey. The aim of this survey is to gain valuable insights into Australia’s agritech ecosystem—understanding the current landscape, key growth drivers, challenges, and the future trajectory of the sector. By sharing your perspective, you’ll play a key role in helping AusAgritech advocate, connect, and lobby for the continued success of the agritech industry. Your input will shape AusAgritech's advocacy efforts and contribute to upcoming reports and initiatives. Closing soon. https://lnkd.in/gt7dhqUS TasFarmers TAS Farm Innovation Hub Enterprize Tasmania Regional Australia Institute Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture University of Tasmania

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Climate Smart Agriculture has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and around the world. This August University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF) launched its Phosphorus and Climate Smart Agriculture Network (PACSAN) in Australia, demonstrating their interactive model which shows the interrelatedness of phosphorus across agricultural production, food supply chains and food security to Australia and China’s net zero ambitions. The PACSAN initiative will contribute to the national dialogue in Australia and China on how the food system can support net zero ambitions, while ensuring sustainable jobs, value chains, and land management.

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Current uncertainty has Australian farmers most concerned about economic conditions according to a recent Roy Morgan survey. The majority of farmers say their farming business is worse off financially than one year ago and they expect the economy to have a "bad time" over the next 1-5 years. Our long-term, fixed-rate agri loans reduce uncertainty for farmers by providing a committed loan at a locked in interest rate, and for durations much longer than other lenders. #longtermfinance #agriculture https://lnkd.in/gbc6-pQp

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A great summary on impending food waste legislation and ambition state-by-state. A good reason to get on the front foot soon and chat to Climateers about food waste audits and to solutions providers like Eco Guardians.

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