CCRSPI, the Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries network, is a collaborative partnership, operating under a mandate from Primary Industry Ministerial Council (PIMC) and Primary Industry Standing Committee (PISC), established to develop and deliver a coordinated and collaborative national framework for the implementation of climate change research programs in the primary industries.

CCRSPI partners are the primary industries state agencies, the rural Research and Development Corporations, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry and the CSIRO.

CCRSPI was set up in recognition of the need for a national response to the challenges of climate change, and also the reality that we can invest research dollars better if priorities are shared, duplication of projects is avoided, and organisations around Australia exchange information and insights.

CCRSPI works through collaboration, coordination and communication and operates through a Secretariat, working on behalf of the organisations that invest in the program.

Click here to download the CCRSPI Brochure.

HAL is a partner of CCRSPI and has been a strong supporter of the need for coordinated research and sharing of knowledge between primary industries in this important topic. CCRSPI is supporting HAL’s initiatives to help horticulture better understand and respond to climate change, and also to ensure that the insights from, and the needs of, horticulture producers are communicated to the other organisations within the CCRSPI network.

To date there has been two phases to CCRSPI:
- Phase 1: Development of the Research Strategy
- Phase 2: Research Implementation

For more information www.lwa.gov.au/ccrspi

CCRSPI Phase 1 – Development of the Research Strategy (2007/08)

The aim of CCRSPI Phase One was to develop a comprehensive research strategy that will allow our industries to be informed by good research and be prepared to respond to the opportunities and risks presented by climate change.  The scope of the strategy is broad, covering any issue that needs consideration over the short (3 years), medium (5+ years) and long term (10+ years).

Phase 1 was completed in 2008 with the finalisation of the Research Strategy and the Phase 1 Evaluation Report.

Click here to download the CCRSPI research strategy and the CCRSPI phase one final report.

CCRSPI’s initial report has identified six priority research areas for collaborative research, development and extension across industry and government.

1. Understanding future climates - need for better information about future climate and climate variability at seasonal timescales;
2. Managing emissions - need for an understanding of primary production  lifecycles and processes to reduce and offset emissions;
3. Preparing industries adaptation - need to adapt and respond to climate change to maintain productive, profitable and sustainable systems;
4. Accessing information - need for access to clear, relevant and factual information that is nationally consistent, but regionally and sectorally specific;
5. Facilitating change - through capacity and capability development; and
6. Linking decision makers - encouraging dialogue between researchers, policy makers and primary producers to align research priorities, policy development and industry responses

HAL was a contributor in Phase 1 and is supportive of the above priority research areas.

CCRSPI Phase 2 – Development of the Implementation Plan (2008/09)

HAL is now contributing to Phase 2 of CCRSPI in 2008/09 in collaboration with other Rural RDCs, CSIRO and Federal, State and Territory Governments.

This phase aims to develop an implementation plan for the research strategy for 2009/10 onwards. Research priorities will be developed in consultation with key Government agencies, both through the governance structure and also through consultation.

For example, CCRSPI Phase 1 included an audit of climate change related projects across Australia. During Phase 2 partners have been keen for the audit to be more fully completed and for a long term online access solution to be established to ensure that the repository of climate change research remains accessible and current over time. It has been identified that the Australian Agriculture and Natural Resources Online (AANRO) database could meet CCRSPI’s needs (click here to view). This is currently being investigated.

Activities are ongoing.

CCRSPI Phase 3 – Implementation (2009 onwards)

Implementation of climate research (09->) is still to be agreed. However, to date there is strong support for CCRSPI to continue as an enduring entity delivering coordination of climate research.

Further update on CCRSPI Phase 3 will be provided once available.