(AU) Farmers For Climate Action Launch Regional Horizons Proposal

Western Magazine - Taylor Jurd

Climate: Regional Horizons is the FCA's call for the government to inject stimulus into rural Australia as part of the COVID-19 recovery strategy. Photo: Shutterstock

A national body representing farmers advocating for climate change has launched a new $1.8 billion package outlining areas where they would like the government to take action.

On June 10, Farmers for Climate Action launched Regional Horizons.

The report calls for:

• The delivery of the National Climate Change and Agriculture Work Plan, which is already under development. Done well, the plan could play an important role coordinating efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture and build regional resilience to drought, fire and other mounting risks
• A Land and Environment Investment Fund, working from the successful Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), to support innovation, attract large-scale investment, reward ecosystem services, and promote climate solutions for farmers. A thriving landscape carbon industry alone would generate up to $10.4 billion in revenue and create up to 15,750 jobs by 2030.
• A Regional Resilience Hub Network to strengthen and diversify existing learning networks, encourage innovation, and empower regional communities with choices in a changing climate.
• A Regional Energy Transition Program, to promote and support community-based, clean energy developments, and modernise and decentralise power grids.

FCA CEO Wendy Cohen said Regional Horizons is their call to action for the government to inject stimulus into rural and regional Australia as part of the recovery strategy coming out of COVID-19.

Ms Cohen said the FCA believe the four key areas have huge potential for investment in initiatives, infrastructure and funding mechanisms to support a thriving and resilient rural and regional Australia.

"It's really important the whole country acknowledges recognises rural and regional Australia's contribution to the entire nation and its value to the economy and... the importance that farming communities play in leading the recovery," she said.

Climate: Farmers for Climate Action CEO Wendy Cohen (pictured) said Regional Horizons is their call to action for the government to inject stimulus into rural regional. Photo: Supplied 

Ms Cohen said now is the time to use the COVID-19 recovery period as the 'golden era' of embracing new technology, low carbon solutions and building a cleaner, sustainable future for the country.

"The beauty of Regional Horizons... is (it's) ready-made. A lot of the ideas, on-farm solutions and practices are already in existence...," she said.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said since 2014, the Emissions Reduction Fund has purchased over $500 million worth of abatement from projects in regional and rural areas.

"An additional $1.4 billion is already committed to projects in regional and rural areas and further funding is available under the Climate Solutions Fund," he said.

"The Government is building on the success of the ERF through the new $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund.

"The Climate Solutions Fund will create new opportunities for regional communities, farmers and businesses to support jobs and develop new income streams."

Ms Cohen said there are packages across other Australian sectors with various government programs and funding schemes for COVID-19 recovery, so believes agriculture and rural and regional Australia should be included.

Robert Lee, of Larras Lee near Molong has been a strong advocate of climate change for many years and said for him to see the launch of Regional Horizons was "exciting."

"It's exciting to see a group pulling all the different strands together and putting up a comprehensive recommendation to government to how we might move forward," he said.

"You get the feeling a lot of people are throwing their hands in the air and a lot of people saying the opposite. (But) This is a rational, clear call for action."

Mr Lee believes planning and policy must come from the government and urged those with strong feelings about climate change to make it known to their local representative.

Links

• Farmers for Climate Action - Regional Horizons
• Farmers for Climate Action - Climate Change + Agriculture
• We must create a sustainable future without gas, says Farmers for Climate Action
• Fear Of Drought, Flood And Fires Leads Farmers To Plea For Urgent Action On Climate Change
• Farmers For Climate Action Say A Unified Parliament Needed To Address Looming Crisis
• Farmers Demand The Coalition Government Do More On Climate Change
• Farmers Call For National Strategy On Climate Change And Agriculture 
• Action Now’: The Farmers Standing Up Against ‘Wilful Ignorance’ On Climate
• The Future Of Farming In The Era Of Climate Change
• Climate Change Making Drought Worse, Farmers' Federation Chief Says