Exploring strategic land use modelling for NSW carbon abatement

More than 40 researchers, industry representatives, government stakeholders and land-use experts came together on 13 May for the Land & Primary Industries Network’s (LPIN) Strategic Land Use Modelling Scoping Workshop.

The workshop aimed to scope the development of a modelling platform that can help identify strategic land-use options for carbon abatement across NSW. The platform would support decision-making by quantifying the benefits, costs and trade-offs associated with different land-use scenarios, including how these change under future climate conditions, water availability and soil constraints.

The need for this capability was identified through the Low Emissions Options Report, which highlighted a range of carbon abatement opportunities involving alternative land uses, such as environmental plantings, expansion of plantation estates and biofuel production. A key challenge is understanding where these options deliver the greatest value and how they interact with agricultural production, environmental outcomes and regional priorities.

The workshop brought together potential users of modelling outputs, experts in land-use and vegetation modelling, and groups working on land-use trade-offs to explore what a fit-for-purpose modelling platform could look like.

The discussions marked an important first step in connecting NSW’s modelling capability and end-user needs to support better strategic planning for a low-emissions future. The workshop identified a range of project opportunities to progress over the next few months.

Please contact Belinda Medlyn (B.Medlyn@westernsydney.edu.au) or Fiona McCredie (Fiona.McCredie@decarbhub.au) if you’d like more information.

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