The Climate in Primary Industries Science unit coordinates climate-based research across I&I NSW. It quantifies the biophysical and socio-economic impact of climate change and climate variability on NSW regions and primary industries, and coordinates the development of strategies and tools to help primary producers to manage those impacts.

I&I NSW assists primary industries and rural communities deal with climate change by conducting research to: 

• understand the impacts of climate change 
• identify adaptation strategies for climate change
• identify the options available to primary producers to reduce their emissions and sequester carbon (mitigate against climate change)  
• underpin the development of policy to manage emissions from, and sequestration options in, primary industries

There are five main research themes:

Climate Impact and Adaptation research is developing risk management tools for primary producers; identifying species and varieties suitable for inclusion in adaptation strategies; and undertaking socio-economic assessment of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies;

The Soils for Climate Mitigation team are indentifying cost effective GHG measurement, accounting and modelling techniques to quantify nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions in agriculture and forestry systems. Opportunities to sequester carbon in soil and reduce GHG emissions are being developed and evaluated.

Methane from Livestock is the major contributor to GHG emission from agriculture. The research is developing and evaluating options to reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock.  

Bioenergy research quantifies the sustainable level of biomass resources currently or potentially available in NSW for bioenergy uses. The team develops, evaluates and applies technologies to convert biomass to bioenergy, value added products or stable forms of carbon including lignocellulose and biochar.

The Climate and Forests team quantifies the impacts on production systems of elevated CO2 and evaluates species and establishment techniques for dry land forestry. They are developing, measurement, accounting and modelling techniques to quantify carbon sequestered in forests and forest products. Research is being undertaken to quantify the sustainable level of biomass resources currently or potentially available in NSW for bioenergy uses. Further detail regarding the Climate and Forests team's research can be found in the annual report of the Forest Science Centre.

Key research infrastructure

Research is undertaken at I&I NSW facilities at Armidale, Canberra, Orange, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, West Pennant Hills, and Wollongbar together with a range of additional field sites across NSW.

Key research collaborations

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC); ACIAR; Catchment Management Authorities; R&D (research and development) Corporations; CSIRO; Universities; NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water; Bureau of Meteorology; Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forests; other State and Federal agencies; producer groups.  

Scientists

Find a list of Climate in Primary Industries scientists.

Contact

Dr Georgina Kelly
Research Leader, Climate in Primary Industries Research
Phone 02 9872 0151
Email georgina.kelly@industry.nsw.gov.au

More information regarding the Climate in Primary Industries Research Unit can be found in our Research for Action: Climate document [PDF 366kb]