Farmers join nationwide call for climate action
Today’s statement by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the country’s peak rural voice, for early action on climate change is an historic moment in the struggle for a sustainable future, the Australian Conservation Foundation said.
The NFF’s full Policy Council – including the presidents of most rural industry groups – unanimously decided to join the call for early action made by the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change in April.
The Roundtable’s Business Case for Early Action showed Australia could make deep greenhouse gas emission cuts while maintaining strong economic growth.
ACF Executive Director Don Henry said the farm leaders’ decision could mark a turning point in efforts to put Australia onto a sustainable heading.
“Australia’s farmers have heard the science, they’ve reviewed the business case, they’re witnesses to a changing climate and they’re already making a big effort,” said Don Henry, ACF’s Executive Director.
To enable industry to respond effectively to climate change, the Australian Business Roundtable recommended:
- A ‘long, loud and legal’ framework to establish a carbon price signal
- Investment in technologies that will reduce emissions
- Building national resilience to the impacts of climate change.
“The NFF is in good company, joining religious leaders, doctors, aid workers, scientists, economists, business leaders and the tourism sector in a resounding call to action,” Mr Henry said.
He said future governments of all political colours would be judged on how boldly they tackled the emerging climate crisis.
