International Association of Horticultural Producers keynote speech
The Hon. Matt Kean
Chair - Climate Change Authority
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Introduction
May I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land where we meet today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
I’d like to pay my respects to elders, past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to any First Nations people here with us today.
And I want to thank the International Association of Horticultural Producers for the honour of speaking with you today.
As an organisation with a global focus - and with many of you representing growers and producers - you’re acutely attuned to dynamics shaping the debate on climate change and its implications.
The carbon clock is ticking.
The timeline for delivering on international commitments to curb temperature rises looms large.
And threats to the natural environment we all depend on are obvious.
Something well understood in the horticulture sector.
The health of the planet touches every aspect of your industry
. . . yield and quality, irrigation and energy costs, biosecurity risk, access to export markets and consumer expectations.
It makes climate policy core business for agriculture.
And it’s why today I want to outline the link between challenges facing your industry, the work of the Climate Change Authority, and opportunities for you to prosper in a low-carbon world.
Pressures on horticulture
Any debate about any aspect of climate policy needs to start with an honest assessment of the state of play.
Globally, food security is under stress from a changing climate.
Rising temperatures, a drier planet, and a growing list of extreme events are already reducing yields of key staples.
In a world where more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories already face acute hunger, the risks are compounding.
Official forecasts estimate climate change could push 78 million more people into chronic hunger.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (known better as the IPCC) suggests that number could be higher.
And the impacts aren’t just on farm.
There will be disruption to transport corridors, storage and cold-chains and even food safety.
The prospect of greater volatility across supply chains and trade-exposed industries like horticulture are high.
The story is no different at home.
In recent decades, some of Australia’s most productive farming districts, such as the south-west and south-east, have been battered by climate change.
They have witnessed a long-term decline in rainfall, matched with record temperatures and extended droughts.
Heatwaves damage fruit set and quality.
Extreme storms, hail and fires impact orchards and infrastructure.
Pest and disease ranges shift with warming.
And the very physiology and nutrition of plants and crops change in response to higher average temperatures and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
These are real business risks, not abstract science.
That was reinforced by the Australian Government's recent release of its first National Climate Risk Assessment.
It determined the current risk level for primary industries and food to be medium to high, noting the impacts of extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns on soil moisture and crop yields.
The Assessment also identified water insecurity as a major, long-term concern for some regional communities.
And it made clear that the threat to farm incomes is real.
These risks escalate in scenarios where we fail to respond swiftly or boldly.
But here’s the flip side.
If we’re willing to understand that acting on climate change is both an environmental imperative and an economic one too, we can prosper.
Global demand will increasingly favour suppliers who can produce reliably under climate stress and demonstrate strong sustainability credentials.
Horticulture—nutrient-dense, high-value, quality-driven—can be a pillar of global nutrition and resilience, and Australia is well placed to lead the way with our endless capacity for innovation.
The work of the Climate Change Authority
That’s where the Climate Change Authority, which I’m privileged to Chair, comes into play.
For those new to our work, the Climate Change Authority provides independent, evidence-based advice to the Australian Government.
We do it through advice on emissions reduction targets, the pathways to achieving them and annual progress reporting.
We also conduct policy reviews such as the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme review currently underway.
In short, our job is to help steer Australia to a prosperous, resilient, decarbonised future
. . . and that includes working with sectors like horticulture, not prescribing from afar.
Most of you will be aware of the emission targets that Australia has set for itself
. . . a 43 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030
. . . a 62-70 per cent cut by 2035
. . . and net zero by 2050.
Sustaining the Australian success story
The Government’s commitment to the new 2035 target recommended by the Authority matters for a few reasons.
It matters because it is a consequence of a rigorous process of assessing a host of issues ranging from the environmental pressures we face, to international trends, to sector-by-sector opportunities.
We looked at the economics of decarbonisation and capital trends, explored technological advancements, consulted widely and relied on expertise.
It means the targets are credible and achievable.
They are also bold.
Even at the low end of the range, they require that we halve Australia’s current emissions in the coming decade.
They will deliver Australia some of the largest emissions cuts anywhere in the world.
They will help Australia retain its position as a global pacesetter in the race to net zero.
With policy, markets and technology now aligned, industry has greater comfort to allocate capital and make investments in the transformational solutions we need.
And the good news is that the decarbonisation of the Australian economy is well underway.
Technology is already driving a profound shift in our carbon profile.
It’s been most obvious in our electricity grid, where renewables accounted for half of all generation in the final quarter of 2025.
And for producers and farmers, the adoption of onsite solar, batteries and electric pumps can cut bills, reduce emissions and lift resilience to grid disruptions.
But achieving net zero was never just about energy-based solutions, as crucial as they are.
It requires a whole-of-economy effort, where our success with methane abatement or carbon sequestration will matter just as much as what we achieve across the grid.
Opportunities for horticulture to prosper
That’s why we want to lean into the opportunity to convert what are real risks to your business into momentum and solutions that help us create a more productive and prosperous horticulture sector.
The Authority’s 2025 progress advice places equal emphasis on resilience—ensuring regions, businesses and communities can thrive as conditions change.
This includes smarter infrastructure, robust finance, and clear policy to crowd-in private investment.
The National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture frames it well: climate-smart practice should enhance productivity and profitability while building resilience and lowering emissions in partnership with industry.
That is especially resonant for horticulture, where margins are tight and consumer quality demands are exacting.
The electrification of vehicle fleets will eventually extend to farming too, as automakers launch more hybrid and fully electric ute models and even tractors. Owners will enjoy lower maintenance and operating costs, particularly if they generate their own energy, as so many farmers already do.
There are two other opportunities in particular that I want to highlight, as they both deliver durable carbon outcomes alongside on-farm agronomic benefits.
The first is biochar.
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic matter such as prunings, crop residues, or manures in a low-oxygen environment.
When applied to soil, its stable, porous structure can store carbon for hundreds of years and influence nutrient and water dynamics.
It represents a durable carbon sink and in some instances, reduces nitrous oxide emissions from soils.
Biochar can also be produced from food and green waste. This diverts organics from landfill, cutting methane emissions as well as enriching soils.
Recent reviews of Australia’s food-waste-to-biochar potential underscore this dual benefit for climate and soil.
Trials and in-field experience has shown it can increase the availability of water for plants by 20-30 per cent in certain soil conditions.
It improves nutrient retention and microbial activity, and above all, stabilises performance under heat or moisture stress.
These benefits are tailor-made for orchards, vineyards, berries, protected cropping and high-value vegetable systems.
There is still some work to be done to understand how it responds to specific sites and applies to particular products, but it’s enormously encouraging.
The other opportunity is what’s known as enhanced rock weathering, or ERW.
It’s a natural process that can be accelerated and managed by applying finely crushed silicate rocks, most commonly basalt, to soils.
Through chemical reactions with atmospheric CO₂ and water, carbon is locked into stable, solid carbonates, offering a durable carbon storage solution.
Growers can use existing spreading equipment, which is a big advantage for adoption.
ERW can improve soil pH, nutrient retention, and water-holding capacity, with studies reporting positive yield and soil function responses in some systems.
It is already attracting corporate attention and public R&D support globally, and monitoring, reporting and verification methods continue to evolve, informed by research and trials(Opens in a new tab/window) being done by Australia’s science agency, the CSIRO.
It’s now an emerging opportunity that looks to prove its effectiveness as more trials occur and research partnerships are built, which underlines the promise to the sector
. . . that is, when we have faith in the capacity for farmers to embrace science, innovate and pursue new ideas, we can build a more resilient future.
It’ll require extensive collaboration between growers, businesses, industry bodies, research institutes, governments and yes, the Climate Change Authority to propel action.
I’m confident in our capacity for smart, bold action in driving the new practices, technologies and solutions we need.
Conclusion
By embracing these opportunities, we can ensure that the horticulture sector remains a strong, vibrant part of Australia’s economic future.
That’s because there’s no need for horticulture to be left stranded by the risks of a changing climate.
Acting now can both reduce the industry’s emissions footprint and fortify the industry’s prospects in the face of a changing climate.
So let’s seize the chance to give Australian horticulture a competitive edge in a decarbonised world where it is productive, profitable and climate-positive.
It’s all within reach, and I look forward to working with you to make it happen.
[ENDS].