In Australia, the Target 100 initiative was developed to “deliver sustainable cattle and sheep farming by 2020” by promoting on-farm research and practices to improve sustainability. It is driven by cattle and sheep farmers through industry representative bodies and the service provider, Meat & Livestock Australia.
The Target 100 website tracks the progress of 100 sustainability initiatives among a range of issue areas roughly correlating with the three pillars of sustainable development—environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The issue areas identified by Target 100 include:
- water;
- soil and groundcover;
- energy;
- pests and weeds;
- biodiversity;
- greenhouse emissions;
- climate variability;
- waste;
- viability;
- and animal welfare.
The Target 100 portal also collects profiles of cattle and sheep farmers and stories about their own sustainability practices, facilitating knowledge exchange and connecting farmers across Australia. There are currently 206 farmers’ stories in the directory. Additionally, the website provides resources and education study guides, as well as tips for improving sustainability around the home. There is a range of ideas for reducing food waste, using food scraps for compost, reducing excess packaging, and growing your own herbs.
