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Sustainability - Lecture 1

Technical and Theoretical Understanding of Sustainability Principles and Industry Frameworks

  • Definition of sustainability

    • Development that meets present needs while safeguarding Earth’s life-support system for future generations (Griggs et al., 2013).

    • An integrated concept linking environmental, economic, and social factors.

  • Industry-led Sustainability Frameworks (Australia)

    • Frameworks are developed by industries to guide practices and demonstrate economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

    • Examples include Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (2009), Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework (2015), Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (2016), Australian Grains Industry Sustainability Framework (2019), Australian Egg Industry Sustainability Framework (2021), Horticulture Sustainability Framework (2021), Sheep Sustainability Framework (2021), and the overarching Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF, 2023).

    • Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF) – Purpose and Structure

      • Demonstrates the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of Australian agriculture.

      • Theme categories: RESILIENCE, BIOSECURITY, FAIR TRADING, SUPPLY CHAIN ACCOUNTABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, PEOPLE, ANIMALS & COMMUNITY, LIVELIHOODS, HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING, BIODIVERSITY, WATER, RESOURCES, MATERIALS & RESOURCES.

      • Structure includes Principles (desired outcomes) and Criteria (conditions to comply), providing a guide for aligning practices.

Examples of Sustainability Principles in Practice
Biosecurity

  • Core Principle: Threats are assessed, mitigated, and managed through continuous improvement to protect and enhance resilience.

  • Priority Areas in Australia (DAFF)

    • National Carp Control Plan: Addresses risks of carp to biodiversity, research on carp virus, and concerns about resistance development and non-target species.

    • Priority pest animals: Feral pigs, wild dogs, feral deer, foxes, feral cats, wild rabbits incur significant annual control costs and production losses.

    • Varroa mite: Detected 2022, a major threat to honey bee pollination with potential large economic and ecological impacts.

    • Other disease/pest risks: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Avian influenza, African swine fever (ASF), Lumpy skin disease, all with trade, production, and biosecurity implications.

  • On-farm Biosecurity – Practical Focus

    • Farm inputs: All incoming materials (seed, water, fertiliser, chemicals) can carry pests/disease.

    • People, vehicles & equipment: Human/vehicle movement as contamination vectors; controlled via signage, hygiene, travel controls.

    • Farm outputs: Responsibility extends beyond the farmgate, impacting regional biosecurity.

    • Feral animals, pests and weeds: Requires training workers, planning, and maintaining records.

  • Climate Change Impact: Pest/disease ranges shift with climate, increasing risks and distribution challenges.

Livelihoods

  • Core Principle: Aim to enhance profitability and living standards, ensure fair wages, and promote sustainable livelihoods.

  • Climate-Change Implications (ABARES insights)

    • Profitability changes: Regional variations in profitability under recent vs. historical climates. Northern regions less affected by rainfall decline, southern/western regions show larger declines.

    • Climate Scenarios:

      • extRCP4.5extRCP4.5: Moderate scenario, emissions peak around 2040, ~485extppm485extppm by 2050.

      • extRCP8.5extRCP8.5: High scenario, emissions continue rising toward ~540extppm540extppm by 2050.

    • Adaptation: Climate-adjusted Total Factor Productivity (TFP) indicates productivity gains can offset some climate effects, but further adaptation is needed.

    • Structural changes: Potential shifts in land use and farm size; diversification (biodiversity, carbon farming) important for long-term resilience.

Water Use Efficiency

  • Core Principle: Use water resources responsibly and efficiently; protect water quality.

  • Beef Industry – Water Use and Efficiency Updates

    • Focus on soil water retention, higher organic matter, soil cover, wind breaks, and conservation tillage.

    • Target improvements in water use per unit of weight (kg/product).

    • 2022 update showed water use intensity moved from roughly 7.67.6 to 8.3extkL/tHCW8.3extkL/tHCW due to throughput reduction.

  • Horticulture Framework – Water Management Goals (2023 update)

    • Indicators (R5 to R8) include water security risk strategy, farms with adequate water, irrigation efficiency, and water recycling and reuse practices.

    • Emphasis on regulated allocations, monitoring, and measured improvements in water use and recycling.

  • Grains Industry – Climate Resilience and Water

    • 96% of Australian grain crops are rainfed, making water management crucial.

    • Climate resilience strategies include more resilient crops, conservation tillage, and cover crops to conserve soil moisture.

Alignment of Current Agricultural Practices to Sustainability Frameworks

  • Industry-led frameworks serve as governance tools, linking environment, economy, and society.

  • They provide principles (desired outcomes) and criteria (conditions to comply) which guide agricultural practices towards demonstrating and achieving sustainability goals.

  • Alignment involves: risk assessment and mitigation (RESILIENCE, BIOSECURITY), ethical and lawful behavior (FAIR TRADING), robust traceability (SUPPLY CHAIN ACCOUNTABILITY), limiting greenhouse gases and protecting natural resources (ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP), ensuring safe working conditions and animal welfare (PEOPLE, ANIMALS & COMMUNITY), and promoting profitability and fair wages (LIVELIHOODS).

  • The frameworks acknowledge the role of climate change in shaping profitability, water use, and pest/disease risk, necessitating continuous adaptation and diversification in agricultural practices.