This research aims to understand the process of farmers’ decision making and how this is influenced by personal values. Science communicators and policy makers may be able to use these research findings to develop effective and well-targeted communication strategies and sound policy to encourage the farming sector to tackle climate change.

As managers of more than 60% of Australia’s land mass, farmers are uniquely placed to take action to address climate change. We know there are on-farm practices that can reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere and remove carbon from the atmosphere. These include tree planting, growing deep-rooted perennial pastures and potentially feed supplements to reduce methane production in cattle. Using less fertiliser, diesel and electricity can also make a difference to carbon footprints.

Given there are practices that can be adopted and scope for farmers to adopt these, how can more farmers be encouraged to focus on climate action in their decision making – effectively becoming less ‘source’ and more ‘sink’? This mixed methods study of survey and interviews explores farmers’ value systems and how these associate with interest in climate mitigation and adaptation.