Growing a greener future: nursery industry sustainability
14 January 2025 - Written by David Hunt, GIA Smart Farming Project Officer
The Australian nursery industry plays a pivotal role in supporting agriculture, horticulture and urban landscapes, providing essential plants and materials that contribute to environmental resilience and economic growth. For over 30 years, the nursery industry has adopted sustainable practices to address climate change, preserve biodiversity, and promote resource use efficiency. These efforts not only align with state and national environmental and climate goals but also align with the Australian Horticulture Sustainability Framework and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Importance of Sustainability in the Nursery Sector
Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, with increasingly extreme weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and the threat of invasive animal and plant species. These conditions pose challenges to the industry, which relies on sustainable land, water, and climate-sensitive resources. As such, the industry has prioritised sustainability to ensure it can continue to meet consumer demand for plant material, support local agriculture and biodiversity, and contribute to green urban spaces.
Sustainable practices within the nursery industry also align with the Australian Government’s climate change policies, including commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The nursery industry is well positioned to support these goals, particularly through the production of healthy and resilient seedlings for revegetation, farm forestry, and carbon sequestration projects, as well as water conservation, and efficient energy use in plant production.
Key Sustainability Priorities in the Nursery Industry
The Greenlife Production sectors’ approach to sustainability spans several critical areas, including biosecurity, water efficiency, waste reduction, and climate resilience. These practices and initiatives are driving sustainability in the industry.
1. Water Conservation and Resource Efficiency
Australia’s persistent drought conditions make water a highly valuable resource. The nursery industry has implemented practices to minimise water use, improve efficiency, and promote water recycling. Advanced irrigation systems, water capture, and recycling facilities are now widely adopted, which are also helping to reduce fertiliser use by reusing dissolved nutrient. Further adoption of precision fertiliser applications, slow-release fertiliser technologies and organic alternatives are adding to resource use efficiency and emissions reduction. These combined practices are ensuring production nurseries can operate with minimal water and fertiliser waste.
The nursery industry also supports and advocates for national water conservation incentives and water-saving technologies to help reduce overall water use and improve resilience against water shortages.
2. Waste Reduction and Responsible Production
Waste management is a core sustainability goal for the industry. Many nurseries have committed to reducing plastic use, opting for biodegradable containers and recyclable packaging materials where possible. Growing media is sourced from suppliers who use sustainable and renewable materials, or waste by-products of other plant production processes. This effort to reduce waste or reuse by-products not only highlights the industry’s responsible consumption and production practices but helps reduce its overall emissions footprint.
The industry has also embraced resource-efficient production practices to optimise energy use and minimise chemical inputs to reduce any potential harmful effects on the environment. This aligns closely with the Australian Government’s environmental protection goals, which emphasise reducing pollution and protecting ecosystems.
3. Climate-Resilient and Carbon-Sequestering Plants
One of the most significant contributions of the nursery industry to sustainability is its role in supplying climate-resilient plant varieties that can survive Australia’s diverse and changing conditions. With climate change intensifying, there is increased demand for drought-tolerant, pest-resistant plants in agriculture, horticulture and urban landscaping. By developing and providing these plants, the industry helps to mitigate climate change and promote biodiversity.
Furthermore, the nursery industry underpins revegetation, reforestation, and carbon sequestration projects by producing healthy, true-to-type and resilient plant species, which is supporting the Australian Government’s commitment to climate action and mitigating climate change impacts.
4. Biosecurity and Biodiversity Protection
Maintaining Australia’s unique biodiversity is critical for the nursery industry, particularly as pests and diseases become more prevalent due to climate change. Strict biosecurity measures help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species that can threaten urban green spaces, native flora and food crops. The nursery industry works closely with government biosecurity agencies to ensure protocols are followed, nursery growers are vigilant, and pest incursions are managed effectively, hence protecting urban and natural ecosystems and agricultural lands. This collaborative action helps to protect the environment and support economic growth.
5. Urban Greening and Sustainable Cities
The nursery industry plays an essential role in supplying plants and expertise for urban greening projects, which have grown in importance under Australia’s National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy. Green spaces in urban areas help combat urban heat, improve air quality, and promote mental well-being. By supplying plants for homes, parks, green roofs, and city landscapes, the nursery industry helps create more sustainable and livable cities to support environmental resilience and contribute to social well-being by providing green spaces that improve quality of life in urban areas.
Future Directions: A Greener and More Resilient Industry
Looking forward, the Australian Nursery Industry aims to continue advancing sustainability through innovation, partnerships, and ongoing alignment with climate and environmental policies. Future priorities include continual improvement in resource use efficiencies, expanding recycling programs to combat waste generation, and developing more climate-resilient plants.
As the industry progresses, partnerships with government, research institutions, and other stakeholders will be essential in achieving Australia’s sustainability and climate goals. By fostering these connections, the nursery industry can play an increasingly active role in national environmental initiatives, contributing to a greener, more resilient Australia.