1.
Low Reader Impact means too much key analysis and
opinion sits at the end of the template. Our time-poor
reader has to wade through less important material before
getting to key issues and the recommendation. Here’s an
example.
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with a stack of Low Reader Impact Ministerial papers.
How to help a time-poor reader

2.
TOPIC: Emissions Intensity Benchmarking in Australian Agriculture
Background
1. On 10 February 2011, the CoAG agreed on a Plan for Collaborative
Action on Climate Change. Part of the Plan asks the NRMMC:
‘to report on the potential for development of emissions intensity benchmarks in
agriculture and associated environmental management systems.’ (AGO 2006a)
An AGO-led consultation showed there is broad support for an emissions intensity
benchmarking system (EIB), and identified necessary features for successful
implementation.
2. Submissions were received from all state governments (not ACT or NT), national, state
and sector peak industry bodies, the research community, relevant Federal
government agencies, and multi-stakeholder committees.
Policy implications and outcomes
1. EIB is consistent and will be part of other government initiatives in agriculture such as:
Greenhouse Action in Rural Australia (GARA), Greenhouse Challenge Plus, Environmental
Management Systems, National Action Plan for Salinity and Water.
2. EIB will facilitate targeted, industry-driven research consistent with the government’s
research priorities including the National Research Priorities and Rural Research and
Development Priorities. This will facilitate ownership and adoption by industry, and position
EIB for successful implementation. Options for further funding will be in the EIB framework.
Potential sources of funding are through existing programs and from the greenhouse
budget allocation.
3. An EIB system must:
 provide practical and verifiable emissions reductions
 deliver real and tangible benefits
 not increase regulatory or financial burden
 be used with existing farm management systems.
Australia is on track to meet its Kyoto target by reducing land clearing and agricultural production
due to drought. Emissions Intensity Benchmarking in Australian agriculture could have many
benefits in further reducing emissions, increasing productivity and profitability for primary
producers, and improving environmental outcomes in sustainable land management. The Ministers
should authorise the AGO to spend around $800 000 to develop an implementation plan and EIB
framework.

3.
Key Issues
1. Australia’s emissions projections are 127% of 1990 levels in 2020. Other developed
countries have committed to 20% reduction by 2020. A gap of 47% is untenable and needs
creative action to reduce emissions.
2. Methane and nitrogen losses affect production from agricultural systems. Agriculture is
Australia’s second highest emitter, contributing 16% of Australia’s emissions and is the
biggest national source of methane and nitrous oxide.
3. Costing close to $800,000, EIB would encourage innovation, developing and using best
management practices. The agricultural sector is highly innovative and will adopt practices
that improve profitability. It has averaged strong growth of almost 3% a year from 1974–75
to 2003–04, considerably stronger than the rest of the economy.
4. Developing an EIB framework will be collaborative, and industry led. The NFF believes
there should be support when governments require farmers to provide public good
environmental services to benefit the broader community at a cost to the farmer. EIB is a
chance to reward farmers for using sustainable land management practices. After the ET
Report, EIB may be able to assess developing tradable carbon credits from agriculture.
Recommendation
That the Ministers authorise the AGO to develop an implementation plan and EIB
framework for an NRMMC review in December 2012.
means key analysis and opinion now sits at the top of the
template, giving top priority to page one. Our time-poor
reader can now get the decision-making details in one page
and get through the reading quicker.
High Reader Impact

4.
TOPIC: Emissions Intensity Benchmarking in Australian Agriculture
Recommendation
That the Ministers authorise the AGO to develop an implementation plan and EIB
framework for an NRMMC review in December 2012.
Key Issues
1. Australia’s emissions projections are 127% of 1990 levels in 2020. Other developed
countries have committed to 20% reduction by 2020. A gap of 47% is untenable and needs
creative action to reduce emissions.
2. Methane and nitrogen losses affect production from agricultural systems. Agriculture is
Australia’s second highest emitter, contributing 16% of Australia’s emissions and is the
biggest national source of methane and nitrous oxide.
3. Costing close to $800,000, EIB would encourage innovation, developing and using best
management practices. The agricultural sector is highly innovative and will adopt practices
that improve profitability. It has averaged strong growth of almost 3% a year from 1974–75
to 2003–04, considerably stronger than the rest of the economy.
4. Developing an EIB framework will be collaborative, and industry led. The NFF believes
there should be support when governments require farmers to provide public good
environmental services to benefit the broader community at a cost to the farmer. EIB is a
chance to reward farmers for using sustainable land management practices. After the ET
Report, EIB may be able to assess developing tradable carbon credits from agriculture.
Australia is on track to meet its Kyoto target by reducing land clearing and agricultural
production due to drought. Emissions Intensity Benchmarking in Australian agriculture
could have many benefits in further reducing emissions, increasing productivity and
profitability for primary producers, and improving environmental outcomes in sustainable
land management. The Ministers should authorise the AGO to spend around $800 000 to
develop an implementation plan and EIB framework.

5.
Policy implications and outcomes
1. EIB is consistent and will be part of other government initiatives in agriculture such as:
Greenhouse Action in Rural Australia (GARA), Greenhouse Challenge Plus, Environmental
Management Systems, National Action Plan for Salinity and Water.
2. EIB will facilitate targeted, industry-driven research consistent with the government’s
research priorities including the National Research Priorities and Rural Research and
Development Priorities. This will facilitate ownership and adoption by industry, and position
EIB for successful implementation. Options for further funding will be in the EIB framework.
Potential sources of funding are through existing programs and from the greenhouse
budget allocation.
3. An EIB system must:
 provide practical and verifiable emissions reductions
 deliver real and tangible benefits
 not increase regulatory or financial burden
 be used with existing farm management systems.
Background
1. On 10 February 2011, the CoAG agreed on a Plan for Collaborative
Action on Climate Change. Part of the Plan asks the NRMMC:
‘to report on the potential for development of emissions intensity benchmarks in
agriculture and associated environmental management systems.’ (AGO 2006a)
An AGO-led consultation showed there is broad support for an emissions intensity
benchmarking system (EIB), and identified necessary features for successful
implementation.
2. Submissions were received from all state governments (not ACT or NT), national, state
and sector peak industry bodies, the research community, relevant Federal
government agencies, and multi-stakeholder committees.
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