The primary industries is particularly exposed to climate variability and change because most production depends on seasonal conditions. Climate change presents a significant and escalating risk to Western Australia’s (WA) primary industries, including agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture, as well as the regional communities and natural resources they depend on. The impacts of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, shifting climate patterns, rising temperatures, and changing rainfall, threaten the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of these industries. The department supports WA’s primary industries and regional communities in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
The department's response to climate change
Primary industries and regional communities in WA are facing significant challenges resulting from climate change. However, proactive mitigation (limiting greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation measures can assist in building resilience and ensuring profitability and sustainability in agriculture over the long term through investments in research and innovation and adoption by producers.
To better understand the impacts of climate change on the primary industries and develop solutions, the department funds and conducts research in partnership with:
- producers
- universities
- state governments and Australian Government
- agricultural industries.
Climate change is already having detrimental effects on environments across the world – from wild bushfires, floods and the hottest year being recorded in 2023.
The scale of impacts is expected to stretch the adaptive capacity of communities, governments and sectors. Climate change will also challenge the insurability of assets and present material risks to lenders.
The costs of not reducing emissions or adapting to climate change are significant. A study by Deloitte Access Economics found that without action, Australia’s economy could suffer $150 billion in costs from 2022 to 2032.
Australian farm profits have become more sensitive to drought impacts overtime. That is, while average farm productivity and profits have increased, the difference between profits in normal and drought years has widened.
The sooner we act, the more effective our response will be. Early action will help reduce impacts on our communities, avoid further biodiversity loss’, reduce future disaster costs and unlock social and economic benefits through planning ahead to build industries for the future.
WA producers have successfully responded to the pressures of climate change by adopting improved farm management practices and technologies. These include breeding livestock and using grain species suited to the WA climate.
Changing growing seasons
Climate change may alter the timing and duration of growing seasons in WA. Shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns can affect planting and harvesting schedules, potentially disrupting agricultural practices and affecting crop yields.
Increased risk of extreme weather events
WA is already prone to extreme weather events such as droughts, bushfires, and cyclones. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of these events, posing significant risks to agricultural productivity and infrastructure.
Pest and disease management
Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can influence the prevalence and distribution of pests and diseases in agricultural ecosystems. Some pests and diseases may thrive under warmer conditions, leading to increased pressure on crops and livestock.
Temperature increases
Rising temperatures can lead to heat stress in crops, livestock and farmers. Heatwaves can reduce crop yields and affect livestock health, particularly in regions with already high temperatures. Shifts in temperature patterns can also impact the suitability of certain crops for cultivation.
Water availability
WA is the largest state in Australia, yet it is the driest state, with much of its land classified as arid or semi-arid. Climate change is expected to exacerbate water scarcity issues, impacting both irrigation and livestock watering. Decreased rainfall and changes in precipitation patterns may reduce water availability for agriculture.
As the climate changes:
- oceans are getting warmer and more acidic
- sea-levels are rising
- rainfall and river flows have reduced.
As a result, WA’s marine and freshwater species that support commercial and recreational fishing sectors are experiencing shifts in abundance and distribution. Department fisheries scientists have reported that, in 2021, very low recruitment of scallops (as a result of a marine heatwave event) at the Abrolhos Islands led to the closure of the fishery during 2022. In contrast, warmer than average ocean temperatures during the 2020-23 La Nina period led to an increased recruitment of the 80 Mile Beach pearl oyster stocks.
The department is assessing the level of risk climate change poses to the management of WA’s aquatic resources in order to identify and prioritise climate adaptation responses.
CSIRO and the Fisheries Research Development Corporation work towards understanding and improving the climate impacts to the industry.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed that climate change poses a serious risk to WA under all emissions scenarios, requiring every sector of society to adapt to WA’s changing climate.
Research from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences has estimated the impacts of Australia’s changing climate on the nation’s agricultural businesses. They estimate that changes in seasonal conditions have reduced annual average farm profits by 23%, or around $29,200 per farm, when considering the period 2001 to 2020 relative to 1950 to 2000.
Most of the atmospheric warming effect of emissions related to agricultural production is due to 3 greenhouse gases:
- Methane
- enteric fermentation from ruminants
- decomposition of manure.
- Nitrous oxide
- breakdown of urea and other nitrogenous fertilisers, legumes and microbes
- urine from animals.
- Carbon dioxide
- breakdown of soil applicants (such as lime)
- breakdown of urea
- breakdown of plant residue.
International
In 1988, the IPCC was established to assess scientific findings on climate change. In 1992 The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the 'Earth Summit', was held in Rio de Janeiro. One of the major results of the UNCED was entering the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) The objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system. The UNFCCC produced an international treaty that acknowledges that climate change is a global issue and requires global cooperation to address it effectively. The international treaty signed by 154 states at the UNCED and entered into force in 1994.
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making body of the UNFCCC. All states that are signatories to the convention are represented at annual meetings to discuss and negotiate climate-related issues and make decisions on international climate policy.
In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was created. It operationalises the UNFCCC by This is committing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. The Kyoto Protocol only binds developed countries and places a heavier burden on them under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”, recognising that they are largely responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified in 2005Australia is a signatory to the protocol but only agreed limiting emissions by 8% above 1990 levels.
In 2012, the Doha Amendment extended the Kyoto agreement from 2012 to 2020.
The 2015 Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC aims to hold the rise in global average temperatures by 2100 to, “…well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” The Australian Government is a signatory to the Paris Agreement. Australia has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to implement an economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030.
The Global Methane Pledge was launched at COP 26 in 2021. The Australian Government signed up to the voluntary pledge in 2022. It commits Australia and other signatory nations to collectively lower global methane emissions across all sectors by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Australian Government
- The 2021-2025 National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy
- The 2022 Climate Change Act
- March 2024 National Adaptation Plan - Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- The 2024 Australian Government Agricultural and Land Sector Plan.
WA Government
The WA Government is committed to achieving the Paris Agreement objective of net zero emissions by 2050 and recognises the importance of contributing to Australia’s pursuit of the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2020 WA Climate Policy sets out a suite of climate change actions underway and new commitments to support the state government’s vision of a resilient, low‑carbon future.
The Policy draws climate change actions together and looks beyond business-as-usual to:
- support the net zero transition across the public sector
- drive low‑carbon energy, mining, and agricultural initiatives
- guide decarbonisation across the rest of our economy.
In 2022, the Climate Resilient WA Directions Paper was released. In July 2023, the Climate Adaptation Strategy: Building WA’s climate resilient future was introduced.
In November 2023, the Climate Change Bill 2023 was introduced into Parliament. The purpose of this bill is to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to WA; provide for a climate adaptation strategy and sector adaptation plans; and to provide for annual reporting to Parliament. The Bill is expected to be passed during 2024. When the Bill comes into effect, the department will have to implement relevant statutory responsibilities.
In December 2023, the WA Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy was introduced. This is a core commitment of the WA Climate Policy to transition the WA economy to net zero emissions by 2050. The department led the agricultural component of the Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy through close engagement with key industry and stakeholder groups.
Net zero for the agricultural sector
Net-zero emissions, or 'net zero', will be achieved when all emissions released by human activities are counterbalanced by removing carbon from the atmosphere in a process known as carbon removal.
Achieving net zero will require a two-part approach: First and foremost, human-caused emissions (such as those from fossil-fuelled vehicles and factories) should be reduced as close to zero as possible. Any remaining emissions should then be balanced with an equivalent amount of carbon removal, which can happen through natural approaches like restoring forests or through technologies
As global economies transition towards lower emissions and net-zero emissions, opportunities will likely emerge for agricultural businesses that can demonstrate lower-emissions or net-zero emissions production systems, through a verified carbon account.
The consumer is increasingly seeking assurances that their food is both good for them and good for the environment and planet. Global food companies and export markets are increasingly seeking demonstration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, including climate action, from agricultural businesses. Many major banks have also set targets to reduce financed greenhouse gas emissions in their loan portfolios to net-zero by 2050.
The need to act on climate change has been recognised by agricultural organisations across Australia, with the Red Meat Advisory Council, Meat & Livestock Australia, the Cattle Council of Australia, Australian Pork Limited, Grain Growers and the National Farmers Federation all having announced plans and commitments to achieve carbon neutrality.
Climate Resilience updates
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SubscribeRelated information
- Climate Action WA website
- My Climate View website
- Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy
- Fisheries Research and Development Corporation climate change information
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority climate change information
- WA's environment, social and governance commitment outcomes
- Climate Change in Australia
- IPCC Glossary
- 2024 Rural Bank Climate Report
- Annual Climate Change Statement 2023
- WA Climate Change Policy
- Climate Resilient WA
- National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture
- The World Bank Climate Smart Agriculture
- Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
- Western Australian Climate Change Policy