FLAG emissions for Queensland farmers: simple first steps
If you run cattle, dairy or mixed farming in Queensland, you’re starting to hear about “FLAG emissions”, “Scope 3” and “low‑emissions agriculture”. It can feel like more red tape on top of tight margins, power bills and labour headaches.
This page keeps it simple: what FLAG is, why Coles/Woolies and processors are asking questions, and what a realistic first step looks like.
What is FLAG emission in Agriculture?
FLAG = Forest, Land and Agriculture.
It covers emissions from:
Cattle and sheep (methane), Fertiliser and soils (nitrous oxide), Diesel and electricity on farm, and Land clearing and vegetation change.
For most QLD farms, your biggest FLAG issues are cattle, fertiliser and diesel/power.
You are not being asked to write a science report. Buyers just want some basic numbers and an honest story.
Where the pressure is really coming from
Big buyers have signed up to climate targets, so they now have to report supplier emissions (Scope 3). That’s why you’re seeing new questions.
- Coles has a science‑based FLAG target and a no‑deforestation rule for its beef supply (cut‑off 31 Dec 2025).
- Its carbon‑neutral beef program works with farmers to measure herd emissions and improve genetics, feed and energy use.
- Woolworths and other retailers/processors are also tightening expectations on deforestation and emissions, especially for beef and dairy.
- Banks and exporters are starting to ask questions so they can keep access to markets and finance.
Pain point: you’re being asked for data without more hours in the day or tailored guidance.
Typical FLAG emissions questions buyers ask:
They DO ask for:
- Average livestock numbers by class (cows, steers, heifers, ewes, lambs).
- Tonnes of fertilisers used in a year. (Mainly nitrogen and lime based)
- Annual electricity (kWh) and diesel (litres).
- Whether you’ve cleared or converted land in recent years.
- A short sentence on what you’re doing to reduce emissions (if anything)
- Perfect, modelled emissions numbers.
- Full life‑cycle assessments.
- A detailed “net‑zero by 2050” plan from a family farm.
Most buyers will accept reasonable estimates and a simple improvement plan for the first couple of years.
First steps to measure FLAG emissions on your farm:
You can do this in under an hour using bills and herd records.
- Write down three yearly numbers:
- Total nitrogen fertiliser (rough tonnes or bags)
- Average cattle head by class
- Total land size (for cattle and agro farming)
- Total electricity (kWh) and diesel (litres or dollars converted to litres)
A carbon consultant can help you sanity‑check these numbers, fill gaps, and put them in a format that matches supermarket/processor questionnaires
An honest statement declaring, "We’ve started tracking livestock numbers, fertiliser use and electricity/diesel use as a first step on emissions. These figures are based on farm records and bills and will be improved over the next 2–3 years.”
Benefits of managing FLAG emissions for Queensland farmers
The upside if you engage (even at a basic level):
- Stay on preferred supplier lists as buyers tighten standards.
- Be ready if premiums, carbon‑neutral lines or carbon projects open up.
- Find changes that cut emissions and costs (better feed efficiency, smarter fertiliser use, solar on pumps).
Carbon accounting support for Queensland farmers on FLAG emissions
Based in Gladstone, Aethiro works with QLD farmers to:
- Turn your existing records into the basic numbers buyers want.
- Translate retailers' questionnaire into plain English and draft responses you’re comfortable signing.
- Point you to one or two realistic changes that suit your enterprise and budget.
Contact Aethiro team at solutions@aethiro.com or call us at (07) 4886 0724.
Aethiro for Queensland farmers.