Australia is one of the biggest per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters in the world. And agriculture is the third biggest sector after electricity generation and transport.

Here at Elmswood keeping carbon in the ground is part of the management plan. It means keeping the earth covered with grasses, promoting biodiversity, keeping the soil biologically active so that we are building soil while we grow food.

To convert agriculture into a carbon neutral industry is a big task. Yet we must try. It's no longer acceptable to create environmental havoc in the name of food production.

Things we can do to stop GHG emissions from increasing:

• The prime minister should immediately establish a risk assessment team, managed like a war cabinet, and include the opposition leader and premiers.
• Ensure Australia's emissions peak well before 2020.
• Aim to meet minimum binding targets relative to 1990 levels:
  • 40% by 2020
  • 70% by 2050 (excluding offsets generated offshore).
• Take global leadership by proposing initiatives to encourage developing countries to accept targets.
• Set a mandatory target of 30% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020.
• Oppose nuclear power.
• Establish a nationwide moratorium on new coal fired power stations and new coal export projects until their carbon emissions can be safely sequestered.
• Implement an internationally linked emissions trading scheme.
• Auction emission permits, using the revenue to encourage new low emission technologies, efficiency & conservation.
• Do not compensate existing carbon emitters.
• Include the agricultural sector in carbon trading at the earliest opportunity.
• Include aviation and shipping in emissions reduction and trading at the earliest opportunity.
• Introduce energy efficiency standards for motor vehicles, requiring improvements consistent with the emissions reduction targets and world's best practice.
• Emphasise energy efficiency and conservation by expanding mandatory energy performance standards to cover all energy-using appliances and equipment in line with world's best practice.
• Eliminate perverse subsidies which promote emissions.