The impacts of climate change are already being felt by the agricultural sector with events such as drought becoming more frequent and extreme.
We are committed to supporting the agricultural sector adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Our action will be guided by the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy.
Adapting to climate change will help make farming more productive and profitable, better protect Australia’s land and water, and strengthen rural communities.
Adaptation is a shared responsibility. We are working with communities and industries to understand the implications of a changing climate, and take practical action to address key risks.
The Australian Government plays a key role in the provision of information and research funding to help farmers and other land managers prepare for and manage changes associated with climate change.
For example the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Package and Future Drought Fund support on ground work and natural resource management activities to strengthen sustainability and build drought preparedness and resilience.
Agriculture industries are already developing methods to better understand, manage and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Examples include changes to crop selection, land management, and improving water efficiency.
Supporting on-farm climate resilience is part of the Australian Government’s aim of setting the right foundations for Australia’s world-class farmers, fishers and foresters to rebound from COVID-19 and build toward the agricultural sectors’ vision for a $100 billion industry by 2030.
We are supporting the agricultural sector adapt to climate change and build resilience through the following key activities.
Key programs and strategies
Future Drought Fund
The Future Drought Fund is helping Australian farms and communities be more resilient to the impacts of drought. It includes the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool and Climate Services for Agriculture program to provide accessible and relevant climate information for farm businesses.
National Soil Strategy
The National Soil Strategy sets out how Australia will value, manage and improve its soil for the next 20 years. It will support Australia’s commitment towards a more sustainable future and build resilience in our communities and agricultural sector to adapt to climate change.
Research and Development
The Australian Government supports rural research and development in Australia. The Rural Research and Development Corporation Climate Initiative is playing an important role in managing climate risk for the agricultural sector.
National Landcare Program
The National Landcare Program provides a range of measures to support natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and to protect Australia’s biodiversity.
DAFF Biosecurity 2030 Roadmap
Australia’s biosecurity system is our best defence against threats to our lands, seas and waterways from exotic pests and diseases.
The refreshed DAFF Biosecurity 2030 Roadmap acknowledges climate change as an emerging biosecurity risk to manage, and the pivotal role the department plays in ensuring our strategic goals and priorities remain contemporary to the changing needs and priorities of the national biosecurity system.
National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy
The National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy sets out what the Australian Government will do to support efforts across all levels of government, businesses and the community, to better anticipate, manage and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Resources
ABARES Climate research
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is the science and economics research division of the department, and undertakes research projects on climate change to advance the agricultural sector’s resilience.
Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis
The Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis is a long-standing biosecurity research initiative of the Australian Government and is integral to the department’s response to managing biosecurity risks facing Australia, including those stemming from climate change.
CSIRO climate adaptation
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) climate adaptation resources available on the Climate Adaptation research website. The CSIRO has been working with primary industries and communities to adapt to climate change through practical strategies.
Climate Change in Australia
The Australian Government’s Climate Change in Australia website provides climate information, projections, tools, data and learning resources from the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology. It includes targeted information for the natural resource management sector.
Read more
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry climate change and agriculture website is being updated. For more information, please contact climatepolicy@aff.gov.au