---
title: Greenhouse gas reduction figures based on unreliable land-clearing data
description: Greenhouse gas reduction figures celebrated by Australia’s red meat industry are based on unreliable land-clearing data and could be erroneous.
---

[![Greenpeace](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/GPAP-Master-Logo-Green-RGB_Web-1.png?width=2259&height=348&name=GPAP-Master-Logo-Green-RGB_Web-1.png "Greenpeace")](https://www.greenpeace.org.au)

[![Canopy Logo](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/hubfs/raw_assets/public/gpap-main-theme/images/the-canopy/the-canopy-logo.png)](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy)

The Canopy is a weekday morning email newsletter provided by the team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

# Greenhouse gas reduction figures based on unreliable land-clearing data

Wednesday, 14 February 2024

Meat and Livestock Australia says it has reduced emissions by 65% on 2005 levels but data analysis suggests figures underpinning claim are ‘erroneous’. 

Volkswagen, Hyundai lining up in favour of Vehicle Efficiency Standard, as car execs meet for crisis talks. At least three major car brands are lining up behind the government's proposal to cap the emissions of car makers, as car executives hold crisis talks on how to respond.

A tax on fossil fuel production could help fund Australia’s transition to becoming a carbon-free energy giant, lower the cost of living and assist the world to cut greenhouse emissions, according to two veteran economists.

TOP STORIES:

[**Australian red meat industry’s net zero target based on land-clearing data that is ‘not reliable’**](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/13/australia-red-meat-industry-net-zero-target-land-clearing-data-not-reliable)Greenhouse gas reduction figures celebrated by Australia’s red meat industry are based on unreliable land-clearing data and could be erroneous, an independent analysis has found.

[**Volkswagen, Hyundai lining up in favour of Vehicle Efficiency Standard, as car execs meet for crisis talks**](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-13/car-bosses-meet-for-crisis-talks-on-vehicle-efficiency-standard/103456868)At least three major car brands are lining up behind the government's proposal to cap the emissions of car makers, as car executives hold crisis talks on how to respond.

[**Australian fossil fuel tax could raise $100bn in first year alone, Rod Sims and Ross Garnaut say**](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/14/fossil-fuel-tax-australia-revenue-economists-ross-garnaut-rod-sims)  
A tax on fossil fuel production could help fund Australia’s transition to becoming a carbon-free energy giant, lower the cost of living and assist the world to cut greenhouse emissions, according to two veteran economists.

[**Wind power awards and wildlife photography: Positive environmental stories from 2024**](https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/02/13/positive-environmental-stories-from-2024)  
Climate anxiety is very real, but these good news stories from 2024 prove there is hope for our planet.

[**Schools and national parks close as Victoria faces worst bushfire conditions in four years**](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/13/schools-and-national-parks-close-as-victoria-faces-worst-bushfire-conditions-in-four-years)Schools and national parks have been ordered to close as parts of Victoria face the first catastrophic fire conditions since the black summer of 2019-20.

[**Rural Australia believes in self-sufficiency, so let’s set the terms of the renewable energy boom**](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/12/rural-australia-believes-in-self-sufficiency-so-lets-set-the-terms-of-the-renewable-energy-boom)The consultation and planning around the energy rollout has been lacking – so let’s knock the edges off and get investment that works for our communities.

[**Green roofs can cool cities and save energy: modelling**](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedianet.news.com.au%2Frelease%2F999935&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=7IORUgncOw2cJnAxlth0jgsTsng&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Im1lZGlhbmV0Lm5ld3MuY29tLmF1In0.g1-UedB77E-RX9pwauR6cQKtTKBUmPTGp_2t9NYSAt31WTZOpT-7MJXMDnMFpCHlQuww_kLvEfk3Sl59K_uVGw)New research from UNSW shows rooftop greenery coverage can help cool down a major city while reducing energy demand. Extensive greenery coverage on building rooftops could significantly reduce temperatures at the city scale and decrease energy costs, according to a new study.

[**This can’t go on’: Calls to crack down on Australians buying huge cars**](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Ftechnology%2Fmotoring%2Fon-the-road%2Fthis-cant-go-on-calls-to-crack-down-on-australians-buying-huge-cars%2Fnews-story%2F88863947bf24bc8803bd190299a4f4ae&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=tHOot4aFtciXf_r8v_IpsgsgVoA&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Ind3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdSJ9._9eIk96tIPNTjXwzMngn8CFnjBniEWEG71sNjH2GiqhhnqHvoch0hnhg2EgYcYnFoZnfeMpFAgXVacvMtxi1Pg)  
Australia’s obsession with giant trucks “can’t go on” if the country is serious about cutting emissions, according to one expert who has slammed the government’s “absurd” policy that incentivises large vehicles while taxing public transport.

[**Rise in e-scooter injuries concerns doctors**](https://app.meltwater.com/mwTransition?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Flisten%2Fprograms%2Fradionational-breakfast%2Fescooter-injuries-rise%2F103458246&urlCategories=newsLtd&analytics=false&documentId=CADPvEOmOAtmH210kjFUlBozMDE&transitionToken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzUxMiJ9.eyJob3N0bmFtZSI6Ind3dy5hYmMubmV0LmF1In0.G6KfJQf9DTg3BPfDRnL8aNk-KGOfbZc12czKSTcqj9BstN0qGFyj-TGroGNT_097qH1_WRMtfq5v4vGs7BrXgQ)Victoria is experiencing a large rise in injuries linked to the use of e-scooters. It coincided with the rollout of a trial for rental scooters across Melbourne and the legalisation of private e-scooters on public roads.

[**From turtles to fruit bats, migratory species increasingly under threat, says UN**](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/12/from-turtles-to-fruit-bats-migratory-species-increasingly-under-threat-says-un)More than a fifth of migratory species under international protection are threatened with extinction, including nearly all nomadic fish, according to the first UN expert assessment.

[climate change](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/climate-change), [Electric vehicles](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/electric-vehicles), [deforestation](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/deforestation), [renewables](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/renewables), [Biodiversity](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/biodiversity), [bushfires](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/tag/bushfires)

### Will you share with your friends?

[Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/greenhouse-gas-reduction-figures-based-on-unreliable-land-clearing-data%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [Share on Whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=Check%20out%20this%20thing%20from%20Greenpeace!%20https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/greenhouse-gas-reduction-figures-based-on-unreliable-land-clearing-data%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dwhatsapp) [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/greenhouse-gas-reduction-figures-based-on-unreliable-land-clearing-data%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/greenhouse-gas-reduction-figures-based-on-unreliable-land-clearing-data%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_term%3Dsocial%2Bshare%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) 

[Go to the website](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/)

## More news

### [Morrison the hollow man disappoints on the global stage](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/morrison-the-hollow-man-disappoints-on-the-global-stage)

Former US vice president Al Gore has criticised the Morrison government for failing to increase...

### [It's net-zero day, but with scant details on how we'll get there](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/its-net-zero-day-but-with-scant-details-on-how-well-get-there)

Today is the day Australia gets a net-zero target, after Cabinet met last night to discuss details....

### [Australia snubs global pledge led by key allies to cut methane emissions](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy/australia-snubs-global-pledge-led-by-key-allies-to-cut-methane-emissions)

Australia has snubbed one of the key global actions to come out of the COP26 climate summit by...

Work like this is only made possible by our supporters. Greenpeace accepts NO government funding or corporate donations to remain impartial. To amplify meaningful climate activism in Australia, ***become a regular giver today.***

[Donate to Support Greenpeace](https://donate.greenpeace.org.au/)

[![Greenpeace](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/GPAP-Master-Logo-Green-RGB_Web-1.png?width=2259&height=348&name=GPAP-Master-Logo-Green-RGB_Web-1.png "Greenpeace")](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/)

Connect with us <https://www.facebook.com/greenpeaceaustraliapacific/> <https://twitter.com/greenpeaceap?lang=en> <https://www.youtube.com/user/GreenpeaceAustralia> <https://www.instagram.com/greenpeaceap/>

**Call:** [1800 815 151](tel:1800815151)

 Our team acknowledges that we meet and work on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We wish to pay respect to their Elders — past, present and future — and acknowledge the important role all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within Australia, the environmental movement and the Greenpeace crew.

© Greenpeace 2026. [Privacy Policy.](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/privacy-policy/)