Last week agriculture’s environmental, finance and research leaders met at the Natural Capital Summit in Brisbane during Queensland Climate Week.
During a two-day ‘‘ participants put their heads together to discuss the genesis of a Natural Capital Roadmap. They covered topics on policy, solutions to improved management, governance structures, research, and finance and investments on natural capital – .
See the image below for the conversations had at the Summit.
These ‘natural assets’ can include geology, soil, air, water
and all living things. Healthy ecosystems underpin a suitable and stable
climate and are necessary safeguards for healthy people and thriving regional communities.
Australia’s natural systems are under continued pressure from increasing demand for food and fibre from a growing population, changing consumer demands, market pressures driving land degradation, and the effects of climate change.
Under the (EPBC Act) farmers have legislative obligation to manage the landscape and biodiversity on their land without financial compensation.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has a that is widely supported by the agricultural industry, which aims to overcome the degradation of Australia’s natural capital by minimising the disadvantage of landholders who are struggling to cover the costs of environmental stewardship. Through attributing a value to these landscape features, development of a market will follow.
For example, if there is an endangered bird species that is
endemic to the flora on a farmers’ property, that farmer is obliged, under the
EPBC Act, to undertake conservation actions to preserve that bird species at
their own expense.
The NFF’s policy recommends that the endangered bird species obtains a monetary value. The farmer will in return receive a reward or compensation for their conservational efforts.
“A failure to protect required assets puts farmers at risk of breaching the Act, which is by and large legislation that is poorly designed, communicated and understood,” said the NFF’s President Fiona Simson.
A $30 million pilot Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Program will see farmers receive incentives for projects that boost biodiversity and if appropriate, absorb carbon. Maintaining or enhancing remnant forest, regeneration of gullies & waterways could be examples of projects.
— David Littleproud (@D_LittleproudMP)
The Government currently does not have a natural capital
policy in place however, in March 2019 former Agriculture and Water Resources
Minister David Littleproud announced a $30 million pilot , which aims to deliver payments to
private land managers who improve the landscape or capture carbon on their
property. This is an important starting point for the sector.
“Rewarding farmers for their management of the natural
environment is a key element to the NFF’s plan for agriculture to achieve .
“More still needs to be done but this funding will be of
great assistance,” Ms Simson said.
