Our Goals
10. Reduce greenhouse emissions and play our role in combating climate change
11. Reduce and, where possible, eliminate our waste
12. Protect, restore and promote biodiversity & healthy ecosystems
13. Practice regenerative agriculture
UN Sustainability Development Goals
As a company built on solid farming foundations, we have long recognised the importance of environmental stewardship. Without healthy land, water, ecosystems, and a stable climate there is no long-term viability in any farming operation or businesses reliant on the agricultural sector.
Environmental stewardship for the Midfield Group reflects a multi-generational approach. Our philosophy is to leave it better than we found it. Our environmental road map (click here) shows the evolution of our environmental initiatives dating back to the early 2000s and what we intend on doing in the years to come.
Climate Change
We are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and play our role in combating climate change. In 2013, the Midfield Group commenced reporting on its Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) and we were proud to announce in 2020 that we had reduced our Scope 2 GHG carbon emissions by 100 percent to Zero through our group-wide purchase of renewable energy through Diamond Energy and our own farm solar installations.
Looking towards the future, we have set the ambitions target for our Midfield meat international, Midfield Protein Solutions, and Pastoral properties to be Net-zero Carbon emissions (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) no later than 2025. From there, we aim to be a Net Zero Carbon Emissions business across all operations (scope 1 and 2 emissions) by 2030.
As we move towards our 2030 target, we have set a number of intermediate targets.
- By 2023 we will complete The Midfield Group methane reduction strategy.
- No later than 2025 carbon sequestration projects producing Carbon offsets will be implemented across all Midfield-owned farms.
- By 2025, a min. of 25 percent of Midfield’s energy needs to be met from self-sufficient renewable sources (e.g. solar).
By 2030, a min. of 30 percent renewable fuel used in heavy transport vehicles.
Waste
We have always been committed to the waste hierarchy - reduce, reuse, and recycle. It’s a fundamental tenant of an efficient business. We have set a target of Zero liquid waste from Midfield Group operations by 2025, followed by a target of Zero solid waste to landfill by 2030. These ambitious targets will be met as we build on the considerable work already underway. Currently, the only waste going to landfill from our sites is non-recyclable plastic. All organic processing waste is composted through our EPA registered compost facility, where it’s turned into a high-quality soil conditioner. The product is then spread back onto our farms to encourage microbial activity, improve soil quality, and increase productivity.
Our first action on Zero waste is to eliminate all unnecessary waste. Following that, all waste that can be recycled or reused through our multifaceted business is recycled or reused.
We are also trialing innovative technologies to further treat our wastewater, which will enable us to use the water either back through our processing facility or on our pastoral properties for irrigation purposes. On our pastoral properties, we have been trialing a form of bioremediation by adding specific algae to our effluent ponds to improve water quality and reduce methane production. We have found that the algae also filter excess nutrients out of the effluent pond, significantly improving water quality. This allows the water to be irrigated on pastures more quickly than if using a more traditional settling treatment.
We will continue to innovate by trialing new recycling technologies with our industry partners towards our Zero waste goal.
Biodiversity & Healthy Ecosystems
On Midfield Group farms we are committed to protecting, restoring, and promoting biodiversity & healthy ecosystems. Through our Native Revegetation Program, which commenced in 2002, approximately 15,000 trees are planted each year on Midfield properties. Some of the trees are planted in shelterbelts, which line the paddocks providing shelter for the livestock. Native trees and shrubs are also planted in dedicated plantations, particularly along watercourses, to promote improved biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. We have partnered with a local wildlife rehabilitation center, which is using our plantations to reintroduce native animals back into the wild. Our tree planting efforts will increase as we explore options for sequestering carbon as part of our climate change commitments.
Regenerative Agriculture
By definition, regenerative agriculture is any agricultural practice that actively restores soil quality, water quality, ecosystem health, and biodiversity, whilst also ensuring high productivity in farming produce. Midfield’s core business relies on the productivity of our farming properties and therefore we remain committed to practicing regenerative agriculture.