On 2 December 2021, the Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson, Minister for Environment; Climate Action launched the development of sectoral emissions reduction strategies to transition the WA economy to net zero. The SERS will be coordinated by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) in collaboration with lead agencies, including the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and relevant stakeholders.
The document Shaping Western Australia’s low-carbon future sets out the high-level process, objectives and timeline for delivering SERS.
The objectives are to:
- provide robust and credible emissions reduction pathways for Western Australia with tangible actions for reducing emissions consistent with the government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050; and
- recognise the importance of significant action this decade to reduce emissions, transition emissions intensive industries and protect Western Australia’s economy from carbon transition risks.
- Through the SERS, the government will build partnerships with industry across the Western Australian economy and regions to leverage private sector investment and develop initiatives to support the transition to net zero.
The government also has a part to play to:
- support breakthrough technologies from demonstration through to commercialisation
- drive adoption of existing low-carbon technologies through incentives and standards
- stimulate markets for low-carbon or energy efficient products
- provide common use infrastructure to attract low-carbon industry investment.
The structure and content of the sectoral emissions reduction strategies will be informed by future modelling and analysis, and have regard to opportunities for emissions reduction across industry, electricity, transport, agriculture, waste, water and land use.
While the government has set the high‑level ambition for decarbonisation, the strategies for emissions reductions will be developed through consultation and in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
The Government has an important role in identifying and addressing regulatory barriers and delivering the policy stability and continuity necessary for business to transition to low emissions technologies and infrastructure.
Emissions reduction in the agricultural sector
DPIRD will contribute to the SERS by leading the development of emissions reduction solutions for the agriculture sector through close engagement with key industry and stakeholder groups.
Stakeholder engagement will underpin the success of the sectoral emissions reduction strategies. Engagement with key industries, sectors, institutions, and expertise will aim to identify opportunities, barriers and stakeholder needs for the net zero transition.
DPIRD has initiated planning of engagement across agriculture sub sectors, including livestock, grains, horticulture, rangelands and intensive industries. DPIRD will work directly with industry to undertake detailed analysis and scenario modelling, and to develop practical and effective abatement options, including shared transition pathways. Consultation and input from industry and research institutions will begin in early 2022.
Other work being undertaken by DPIRD
DPIRD has a rapidly expanding cache of projects and work activities that are addressing the issue of global warming and climate change in agriculture.
Some examples include:
- Livestock and Carbon - Katanning Research Facility Carbon Neutral 2030, Life cycle analyses of the WA beef and sheep industries, and Calculating your own carbon footprint.
- Future Drought Fund - Farm Business Resilience Program and Regional Drought Resilience Planning program
- Western Australian Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program and Carbon farming and Western Australian agriculture
- Western Australian Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund