In its latest strategic plan, Meat and Livestock Australia shed its goal, set in 2017, of reaching zero net carbon emissions by 2030.

Achieving those cuts depended on getting the right investment and policies, the industry research and development body said.

“We now know we need more time, more support, and more investment to reach our goal,” said managing director Michael Crowley.

“We will keep pushing forward to reach our sustainability goals. It’s what our producers, our community and our customers demand.”

The meat and livestock industry says it has cut carbon emissions – which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere – by 78% from 2005 levels.

Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of sheep meat and second largest exporter of beef, according to industry figures for 2023.

Meat and Livestock Australia dropped its 2030 climate goal in line with a new strategy released last week by the industry’s peak body, the Red Meat Advisory Council.

“We just quite frankly realised we’re not going to get to carbon neutral by 2030,” Red Meat Advisory Council independent chair John McKillop said Friday, according to public broadcaster ABC.

Australia has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government said it had supported the red meat industry’s “ambitious goal” to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The industry body’s decision to step away from its 2030 target was “disappointing” but all sectors of Australian agriculture still need to make “meaningful” emissions reductions, a government spokesman said.