17 December 2009
DAFF09/366BJ

Joint media release
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke
Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Penny Wong

Australia has become a key member of a new Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases which was launched today at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, joined New Zealand Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues, the Hon. Tim Grosser, and American Secretary of Agriculture, Tim Vilsack in launching the Alliance, which formalises the ongoing collaboration of international research efforts on agriculture mitigation.

“The Alliance will form a key component of Australia’s efforts to advance global research, development and commercialisation of agriculture mitigation technologies,” Senator Wong said.

“The launch of the Alliance underlines Australia’s commitment to building new climate change partnerships and working with all countries to secure an outcome at Copenhagen that will deliver the environmental outcome the world needs.

“It will build on work to identify opportunities to reduce emissions from agricultural production and increase the potential for maximising carbon storage in agriculture, including in agricultural soils.

“The work of the Alliance will play an important role in helping Australia reduce its agricultural emissions, which currently contribute around 16 per cent of our national emissions.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said Australia is a world leader in agricultural research and is committed to working with the Alliance to achieve the best outcome for Australian farmers.

“Sharing research on a global scale would provide important flow on benefits to Australian farmers when it comes to carbon sequestration,” Mr Burke said.

“The Alliance will give Australia the opportunity to share what we are doing on soil carbon, methane emissions and nitrous oxide and build on this with research from our international counterparts.

“Through the Alliance, Australia will have access to previously unexplored specialist research from around the world.

Australia invests in research that addresses the growing demand for food while helping producers reduce their emissions and adjust to the impacts of climate change.

The Climate Change Research Program has seen almost $100 million invested in soil carbon, emissions reduction and adaptation research.

Similar to what has been done in Australia with climate change research, the Alliance will develop partnerships between farmers and agriculture organisations, the private sector, international and regional research institutions and other non-government organisations.

In addition to addressing mitigation needs in the agriculture sector, countries have formed the Alliance in recognition of the vital role of agriculture in poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The Alliance signals further cooperative action by developed and developing nations, bringing together diverse member countries including Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Vietnam.