TNQ Drought Hub
James Cook University Australia
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ESG on Farm: Are you ready?

The TNQ Hub is developing educational materials to help support Australian producers, farmers and land managers understand the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework and integrate an analysis into their farming business, aiming to enhance sustainability performance and facilitate a transition to a more sustainable food production system.

What is ESG?

ESG is a framework that can help producers to address sustainability issues, enhance sustainability performance, increase resilience, reduce risks and create opportunities. ESG stands for:

  • Environmental

    These are factors related to the way you manage renewable and non-renewable resources such as water, soil, biodiversity, minerals, and animal treatment.

  • Social

    These are factors related to the way you interact with your family, employees, communities, consumers, supply chain and business relationships.

  • Governance

    These are factors related to your business such as leadership, management, systems, processes, products and controls.

Why ESG?

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is no longer a niche concept. ESG standards are now essential for promoting sustainability in agriculture and creating long-term value in agricultural production.

An ESG assessment offers valuable insights into on-farm risks and opportunities, enabling farmers to become leaders in sustainable practices and distinguish themselves as champions of sustainability.

What is ESG?
What is an ESG Analysis?

ESG Rapid Assessment

We have developed an easy to use, rapid ESG assessment specifically for small business farmers. This tool is designed to help small business farmers quickly adopt ESG standards and enhance their sustainable farming practices.

To complete your ESG assessment, simply fill out the online survey below and provide key information about your production, such as nitrogen application, yield, and herbicide/pesticide use.

Based on your input, we will provide you with:

  • A personalised dashboard displaying your ESG sustainability baseline.
  • A comprehensive report outlining the sustainability context, ESG impacts, and materiality assessment.

Boost your farm’s sustainability and stand out in the market with our easy-to-use ESG assessment tool. Start today and lead the way in sustainable agriculture!

"ESG on Farm: Are you Ready?" A workbook for farmers

We have also created a comprehensive workbook to help you learn about ESG and guide you through developing your own detailed ESG analysis.

The “ESG on Farm: Are you Ready?” workbook provides a practical guide to support farmers/primary producers develop their own ESG analysis.

  • Section 1 of the workbook: About ESG and the ESG framework
  • Section 2 of the workbook: How to do an ESG analysis using the framework

This framework will help you establish a sustainability baseline, measure ESG factors, create an ESG strategy and report on sustainability-related risks and opportunities. It also links to the wider international environmental and social goals under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

If you have any questions about ESG or would like help completing your ESG assessment, please complete the form below or contact TNQ Drought Hub Senior Research Officer and sustainability advocate, Ana Leite De Almeida directly – ana.leitedealmeida@jcu.edu.au or 0402 693 448.

Disclaimer: All the content was built upon existing international and national guidelines, frameworks, and recommendations (e.g., the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF). Our effort consisted of adapting those guidelines to make them more “on farm” and easier to be applied by primary producers in Australia.

Publications

ESG in Action

ESG One-on-one, 20-21 May, Mackay

ESG One-on-one, 20-21 May, Mackay ESG expert and hub Senior Research Officer, Ana Leite De Almeida and Reef Catchments Drought Resilience Coordinator, Carlos Bueno have been out visiting several sugarcane farmers who attended the ‘ESG on Farm’ workshop in Mackay in December last year. The purpose of the visit was

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Mackay Workshop to Unveil Strategies for On-Farm ESG Integration

Mackay Workshop to Unveil Strategies for On-Farm ESG Integration Previous Next Farmers and producers in the Mackay and Whitsunday region will soon be able to learn more about the importance of integrating the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework on-farm, thanks to an upcoming workshop being held next week. Learn

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Developing Northern Australia Conference, 24 – 26 July, Darwin

Developing Northern Australia Conference, 24 – 26 July, Darwin With the concept of Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) gaining more and more traction in the agriculture industry, the hub’s Senior Research Officer, Ana Carla Leite De Almeida was invited to present at this year’s DNA Conference. Ana’s research and role within

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