AMPC has released its updated Pathways to Decarbonisation for the Australian red meat processing industry. The latest modelling indicates that ambitious targets that meet or go beyond the Paris Agreement may be achievable, but getting there will require significant investment in high-cost solutions.
AMPC Program Manager Sustainability Matt Deegan says the updated pathway infographic is for the 2022 financial year, and builds on the original version released in 2019 with both illustrations using the relevant year’s AMPC Environmental Performance Review data.
“The good news is that the most recent data does show some solid reductions in carbon emissions, but it’s important to remember that the difference in reporting periods included a significant fall in throughput during herd rebuilding,” Matt says.
Nonetheless, he says the supporting AMPC Environmental Performance Review data also contains emissions intensity metrics so that our industry can check that real emissions reduction are taking place. The pathways offer a clear comparison of business as usual, Paris, and CN30 targets, with costed strategies that the red meat processor industry will need to take in order to achieve the relevant target.
“For example, achieving the net zero goal (CN30) would require continued significant investment in renewable electricity, electrification, and higher uptake in bioenergy solutions, with additional purchase of carbon offsets and green power for any residual emissions,” he says.
AMPC has created the infographic to illustrate what our processor sector needs to do to decarbonise, the relative costs, with links to AMPC projects that are helping address this challenge.
More information is available on the AMPC website including the full research report, or you can email Matthew Deegan.