The Grampians region of Victoria has set an ambitious target of achieving zero emissions by 2050. Agriculture is the backbone of the Grampians region economy with 78% of land area in the region dedicated to agriculture and forestry. Unsurprisingly, as the dominant industry in the region, agriculture is also currently the largest source of carbon emissions. The agricultural backbone of the region offers significant potential to increase carbon drawdown and reduce carbon emissions. However, there is a gap between the existing tools and on-farm implementation that needs to be better understood and addressed through engagement and co-design of an implementation approach together with farm managers. Early and effective action in agriculture to reduce emissions is especially important because early movers will be better placed to capitalise on market opportunities arising from the transition to net zero emissions and changing government policy.

To date significant investment in research into carbon emission calculators and their application in agriculture has not resulted in widespread utilisation by the farming community. This project seeks to: understand why carbon calculators are not being more broadly adopted by individual farm managers; and address the issue of adoption through co-design and pilot of implementation resources and extension activities for farm managers.