Framework Needed for Sustainable Land Management
Climateworks Centre, in partnership with Deakin University, has released a report emphasising the need for a national framework to manage land effectively in Australia. This framework aims to ensure climate, nature, and food production benefits are maximised.
Rising resource demands and the impacts of climate change, coupled with fragmented decision-making, present significant challenges for Australia’s land systems. A coordinated approach to land use is urgently needed to tackle these issues effectively.
“This new holistic analysis shows how Australia can produce enough food, support healthy ecosystems, and deliver climate action,” said Anna Skarbek, CEO of Climateworks Centre. She advocated for policies that create “win-wins for people and planet.”
Challenges and Opportunities
Decision-making regarding land use in Australia is often fragmented, leading to conflicting priorities. Jo Sanson, lead author and Programme Impact Manager at Climateworks Centre, highlighted that the current approach does not accommodate the required scale of change.
She noted, “Siloed policymaking pulls Australia’s land in different directions, rather than treating it as one interconnected system.” This lack of integration poses risks to balancing environmental, economic, and community goals.
The report recommends a national framework integrating local expertise with national objectives to manage land use sustainably. Similar frameworks in countries like the United Kingdom have successfully balanced people and environmental needs.
Inaction carries clear risks, the report warns, as decisions made today will shape Australia’s landscapes and communities for generations to come.
Operating as an independent not-for-profit within Monash University, Climateworks Centre bridges the gap between research and climate action, accelerating evidence-based initiatives for net zero in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Australia stands at a pivotal moment to build stronger communities, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient economy. The proposed national framework aims to give communities a voice in land-use decisions and promote economic wellbeing.
Facing unprecedented landscape changes, Australia can draw lessons from the UK’s established frameworks benefiting both people and the environment. With its resources and experience, the nation is well-positioned to manage this transition.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 12:00 pm
