The Australian beef industry aligns with global sustainable development initiatives
Focused on making red meat more sustainable
The industry reports annually on key metrics to ensure transparency and track progress towards sustainability priorities.
The Australian red meat industry is intrinsically connected with the land and its natural resources, which is why it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously.
A number of industry-led initiatives have been implemented to help Australian red meat producers reduce their environmental impact and give consumers more confidence that the food they buy has been responsibly produced.
Australian Beef Sustainability Framework: Developed in 2017, the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework contains 24 sustainability priorities, aligns with twelve of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and is reported annually to demonstrate continuous improvement in areas such as emission reduction, use of antibiotics, balance of tree and grass cover, and animal welfare.
Sheep Sustainability Framework: The Australian sheepmeat and wool industry also aligns to UN Sustainable Development Goals and reports annually through the Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF). Launched in 2021, the SSF aligns with 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, tracking and reporting on industry performance across four themes of ‘Caring for our sheep’, ‘Enhancing the environment and climate’, ‘Looking after our people, customers and the community’, and ‘Ensuring a financially resilient industry’.
A carbon neutral red meat industry by 2030
The Australian red meat and livestock industry's has set a voluntary target to be carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30), showing climate leadership in Australia and around the world.
CN30 means the Australian red meat and livestock industry will make no net release of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. This occurs when emissions released in producing red meat are equal to or less than the amount of carbon sequestered or offset in soils and vegetation. The industry aims to achieve this by reducing emissions from grazing management, lot feeding and processing, and increasing carbon storage in soils and vegetation.
The initiatives include:
Improvements in feeding practices (better pastures, new types of food)
Improved ways of handling manure
Improved genetics and animal management
Storing carbon in the land
Using high-quality feed to improve productivity and reduce emissions intensity.
The Australian red meat and livestock industry was one of the first industries on the planet to voluntarily set such an ambitious target, and it’s already making progress to achieve it.
Did you know?
Over the past five years, livestock producers have reduced the water used in raising beef cattle by 18% to average 400 litres per liveweight kg. Since 1985, the industry has achieved a 73% reduction. (Source)
Feed additives such as Bovaer can reduce methane emissions from cattle.
