Building the Grain Sustainability Framework

Topic,Definition Soil Health,"Soil health encompasses various physical, chemical, and biological properties such as nutrient content, carbon and organic matter levels, soil structure, microbial activity, and water-holding capacity." "Land Use Change, Natural Ecosystems and Biodiversity","Land use change is the clearing or transformation of an area from a natural, contiguous ecosystem, such as forest, to another land cover or use, such as broadacre grain production. This can result in severe alteration or disruption of loss or habitats, species composition, structure, or function. Natural ecosystems are ecological communities and habitats that co-exist, maintaining natural structure, species composition, and ecological processes. Biodiversity describes the variety of life within ecosystems, including flora and fauna species diversity and genetic diversity within species, all of which underpin the integrity of ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling and soil health." Sustainable Resource Use,"Sustainable resource use refers to the management and application of agricultural inputs and natural resources to maintain productivity, protect the environment and support long term viability of the grains industry. The components include: • The application and utilisation of products to enhance crop production and grain nutrition, improve yields, promote healthy plant growth, and maximise agricultural productivity while controlling pests, diseases, and weeds, and managing soil fertility. • The policies and management practices that reduce or eliminate the pollutants and/or excess nutrients contained within sediment and chemical runoff, including pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers, that are transported by surface water and enter natural waterways. • The use of renewable energy sources and diesel substitutes on-farms. Involves the planning, monitoring and controlling energy use to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and achieve cost and emissions savings across the value chain of grain. • The efficient and sustainable use of water that maximises its beneficial uses by providing for crops and/or animals, enhances productivity, and conserving natural resources for the benefit of downstream users and ecosystem services." Greenhouse Gas Emissions,"Grain industry emissions contributing to anthropogenic climate change. Includes the greenhouse gas protocols Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions categories that includes major emission sources such as fertiliser and fuel use, production, processing, transport, and end use of grain products." Waste and Packaging,"The consideration of packaging materials and systems in order to minimise the environmental impacts of grain production, storage and transportation. Actions and efforts to reduce food loss and waste."

Topic,Definition Workforce Wellbeing and Workplace Practices,"Workforce wellbeing and workplace practices encompasses policies and practices implemented by employers to safeguard the physical and mental health of workers, prevent accidents and injuries by creating a safe work environment, and promote a positive and supportive work environment that enhances mental health and wellbeing. It also involves the protecting and respecting workers’ rights across the industry value chain and freedom of association and recognition of the right to collective bargaining." Diversity and Inclusion,"Promoting the recognition, acceptance and celebration of the differences and unique attributes of individuals within an industry, including those from Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds. The set of legal rights and normative principles that aim to protect and promote the distinct cultural, historical, and land rights of indigenous communities." Land and Resource Rights,"The legal and customary entitlements and protections that grant individuals, communities or indigenous people's ownership, access and control over land, communal property and natural resources." Community Engagement and Investment,Investing in and working collaboratively with communities to support local needs and positive impacts. This includes engaging in a timely and transparent manner on topics and business activities that could result in actual or potential negative impacts on communities. "Talent Attraction, Retention and Development",The strategies and practices employed by the industry to attract and develop skilled workers and then retain them within the industry. This includes capacity building and the formalisation of knowledge transfer. It also includes consideration of farm management and leadership succession planning.

Topic,Definition Grain Integrity,"Grain integrity refers to overall quality, safety, and traceability of grain throughout the production, handling, and supply chain. The components include: • The systematic control of biological, chemical, and other hazards during production of grain to avoid contamination. • The characteristics of grain and grain products, as outlined by industry standards, regulatory requirements, consumer preferences and the expected standards for their intended purpose, whether for consumption (human or animal feed), processing or other uses. • The conduct of due diligence into suppliers to ensure raw materials and value chain services are produced/conducted ethically and legally. • Considerations and actions to address the environmental and social impacts relating to the production of those goods and services within the grain industry’s value chain. • The ability to trace the source, origin or production conditions of raw materials and final products, to identify and prevent negative impacts linked to industry products." Genetic Technology,"Genetic technology is a class of scientific methods used to study, modify, or manipulate the genetic material of organisms. It includes a broad range of tools and techniques that allow the modification or transfer of genes to give an organism new traits, and the editing of genetic sequences more precisely than traditional breeding." Consumer Trends and Behaviours,"The changing needs, dietary patterns, preferences, desires, and beliefs that influence behaviours and purchasing decisions. This also includes consumer perceptions of the grain industry’s sustainability practices." Food Supply,"Physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life."

Topic,Definition Productivity and Profitability,"Productivity is how efficiently growers convert inputs (land, water, seed, fertiliser, fuel, and labour) into outputs (tonnes of grain). Higher productivity means producing more grain per hectare or per unit of input, often through better practices, technology, or innovation. Profitability is the financial return growers achieve after covering all costs of production. It reflects how much income is left once expenses like inputs, machinery, labour, and overheads are paid." Climate Change and Adaptation,"Climate change and extreme weather events pose significant risks to crop yield, quality, infrastructure and global competitiveness of Australian grain. Adaptation is the industry’s capacity to adjust practices, processes and strategies across the grain value chain in response to climate-related risks, including both physical risks (like drought and floods) and transition risks (from the shift to low-emissions economies) in order to reduce vulnerability and harm." "Research, Innovation and Adoption","The activities aimed at discovering new knowledge, transforming findings into practical applications, and disseminating innovation through knowledge sharing and education, combined with the adoption of new technologies and practices, drive value creation and strengthen the grain industry’s capacity, capability, and long-term sustainability." Supply Chain Reliability,Ensuring a steady flow of inputs to meet production needs to avoid disruptions or shortages. Biosecurity,"The management of biological risks to the economy, environment and the community by preventing harmful organisms such as viruses, bacteria, animals, plants, pathogens and insects from entering, establishing or spreading." Public Policy and Regulation,"Public policy and regulation encompass national and international policy updates, trade reforms, and other embargoes that can impact the import and exports of the grain industry’s supply chain. It also includes policies and strategies relating to water access and security which ensure a consistent, good quality supply of fresh water for grain cropping." Governance,"The systems of rules, practices, and processes through which all levels of grains business are directed and controlled."