Monthly Archives: November 2013

An assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the Australian vegetables industry

Posted by : Gordon Rogers | Category : Vegetables | Comments : 0 Comments

GHG emissions in veg industry

Recently, partly due to the increasing carbon consciousness in the electorates and partly due to the imminent introduction of the Australian Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), estimating carbon footprints is becoming increasingly necessary in agriculture. By taking data from several sources, this study estimates the national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a variety of farm inputs, [...]

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Understanding and managing impacts of climate change in relation to government policy, regulation and energy efficiency

Posted by : Gordon Rogers | Category : Vegetables | Comments : 0 Comments

biogas

This review addresses the following areas in relation to how climate change might affect the Australian vegetable industry, with a focus on government policy, regulation and energy efficiency: 1. Identifying and assessing the impacts that government policies and regulations regarding climate change are having, and will have, on vegetable farm business and the industry.  2. Investigating the opportunities available for growers through government grants industry  initiatives as well as how the various grants might be made more appropriate and accessible for vegetable levy payers. 3.Identifying and collating information on innovative or efficient options, including energy sources, energy usage and refrigerants, to reduce rising input costs associated with climate change policy implementation Click [...]

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Understanding and managing impacts of climate change and variability on vegetable industry productivity and profits

Posted by : Gordon Rogers | Category : Vegetables | Comments : 0 Comments

glasshouse

The Australian vegetable industry is in a strong position to deal effectively with climate  change. The industry has excellent climate change credentials, is a low emitter of greenhouse gasses on a productivity basis, and has one of the lowest carbon and water footprints of any food producer. Vegetable growers also have greater capacity to adapt to change than most other rural industries. The threats, however, are serious, and the industry should not be complacent. The viability of vegetable production can be affected either by the physical impacts of a changing climate, or by government policies aimed at addressing climate issues. This review has focused on identifying actions growers and the industry can take in the short and longer term to safeguard the Australian vegetable industry against climate related threats. Industry and farm managers will need to distinguish between ‘old climate expectations’ and ‘new climate realities’ in determining how best to adapt vegetable farming to our more variable climate and where possible, further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge for the industry is to develop a clear strategy for how best to adapt to anticipated climatic and atmospheric changes, in ways that minimise adverse financial and environmental impacts and take best advantage of any positive changes. This review will build on previous climate change studies conducted for the horticulture industry. Click here for the full report

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