CSIRO has released a practical guide to help Australian farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards net zero agriculture. The Towards Net Zero Agriculture Pathfinder Manual provides strategies that are evidence-based, simple to adopt, and measurable on farms.
Agriculture contributes 13 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions while maintaining farm productivity is key to supporting local communities, biodiversity, and water stewardship. The manual gives farmers tools to take action and plan low-emission practices.
The guide covers options for both livestock and cropping systems. Managing enteric methane from livestock is a focus, alongside strategies for energy efficiency, soil carbon, and sustainable farm management. Many recommended activities qualify for discounted finance through Clean Energy Finance Corporation-supported loans, giving farmers financial support to adopt low-emission methods.
Michael Battaglia, lead of CSIRO’s Towards Net Zero Mission, said the manual begins with easy-to-use approaches that farmers can monitor and adapt to their farms. “The manual helps connect science, finance, and practical farming,” he said. “Reducing emissions is a team effort. Farmers, inventors, banks, and regulators all need to work together.”
The manual also highlights challenges, including higher costs for novel technologies, uncertainty about production gains, and the need for upfront investment in equipment or infrastructure. CSIRO supports partnerships and innovation to de-risk these investments and encourage wider adoption of low-emission practices.
The guide aims to empower farmers to make decisions that are both environmentally sustainable and financially viable. It provides clear pathways to integrate low-emission technologies, measure progress, and build confidence in farming systems that support a net zero future.
Explore the tool helping accelerate sustainable agriculture transitions across our regions.