ON FARM NATIONAL CARBON REDUCTION The carbon neutral point of difference Research commissioned by MLA has revealed there are pathways producers can take to help Australia’s red meat industry achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. This case study examines strategies used in one enterprise to achieve carbon neutrality while boosting productivity. Mark Wootton and Eve greenhouse gas emissions needs to The carbon sink provided by the trees Kantor’s south-west be multi-layered, but it is possible has also allowed Mark and Eve to Victorian grazing to achieve carbon neutrality without participate in carbon offsetting projects, powerhouse is proof that compromising productivity.” including selling carbon neutral wool to high-input, high-output enterprises Mark and Eve have integrated tree an Italian fashion label, Quatha, through can promote world-class plantings with grazing across their The Merino Company in 2009. Tree environmental stewardship. appropriately named ‘Jigsaw Farms’ – plantings offset 830 tonnes of carbon six properties totalling 3,378ha. equivalents for 84 bales of wool. Mark and Eve (pictured right) They have also planted trees for co-founded the former Climate Since 1997, they have revegetated Institute, established to support climate more than 600ha with indigenous trees Greenfleet, who were paid by third change-related research and advocacy. and shrubs and timber species, for parties to offset their vehicle emissions. permanent environmental plantings and The trees not only reduce the impact of It’s not surprising they were interested farm forestry (which will be replanted to see how their wool, lamb and climate change but provide shelter for after being harvested). lambing and, together with revegetated beef business could operate in a ‘zero carbon’ global economy when Jigsaw Farms’ emissions from livestock, waterways, wetlands and well-managed approached by University of Melbourne energy and transport are being offset pastures, contribute to an adaptive and researchers to participate in a study of by the carbon sequestered in these resilient farming system. offsets required to reduce the carbon trees and soils. “We’ve seen bird species increase from balance on farms. The University of Melbourne study 47 to 159 species over the past 20 years – “We had serious concerns about the found that with 20% of the farm planted this biodiversity is a good indicator of a risk of climate change for an intensive to trees, the stocking rates at Jigsaw healthy production system,” Eve said. system like ours, so we wanted to see Farms were carbon positive over a Mark and Eve are also lowering their if it was possible to produce carbon 25-year period. reliance on fossil fuel by installing neutral food and fibre,” Mark said. The trees contributed to a 48% solar panels at their house and sheds, “The study showed us there is reduction in emissions between 2000 using solar pumps and more efficient no silver bullet and reducing and 2014, and a 70% reduction to 2020. electrical pumps. 20