Pathway to carbon neutral in the Australian almond industry
Hort Innovation & the Almond Board of Australia
The Challenge
The Australian almond industry is aware of increasing consumer and customer scrutiny of the environmental footprint associated with the production of food.
To proactively address concerns associated with almond production, the industry sought to not only calculate its emissions but create a toolkit for growers and processors to measure their emissions ongoing and understand effective methods for reducing the emissions of their product.
Key Deliverables
Industry Guide to Reducing Emissions in Almond Production
Tool for Calculating Emissions for Growers & Processors
Webinars & Other Communications
Industry Guide to Reducing Emissions in Almond Production
Tool for Calculating Emissions for Growers & Processors
Webinars & Other Communications
Almond Board Australia's Ambition
The Approach
Edge designed a project that created widespread awareness of the technicalities of emissions in almond production, while fostering industry adoption of the toolkit.
Working closely with the Almond Board of Australia and Hort Innovation, Edge conducted widespread industry engagement to understand the exact processes driving emissions in almond production and compared this to international examples.
Edge then used industry data to calculate the environmental performance associated with almond production in Australia, as a lifecycle assessment. This includes the emissions, nutrient use and water consumption associated with activities from growing and processing almonds.
Once a clear image of the impacts had been identified, Edge worked closely with the industry to understand the most effective ways to reduce the impacts based on current innovative practices, international examples of practice change and where lessons could be learnt from other industries.
Edge translated insights into a mitigation action plan designed to inform and inspire the industry towards low emissions almond production. Published using the industry's branding, it serves as a clear, accessible communication tool.
Visually, the plan features modular layouts with bold typography to emphasise key data. Brand colours highlight the three priority initiatives, while a distinct illustration style maps out the cradle-to-gate process, creating visual interest and encouraging engagement. The messaging, centered on "Creating a better future for almonds," reflects the industry’s sustainability ambitions without explicitly committing to neutrality.
To maintain brand consistency, we incorporated recognisable elements from the Hort brand—colours, shapes, and imagery—while evolving the guide's design to clearly present findings and data. This included visualising the lifecycle assessment and showcasing actionable initiatives to reduce emissions throughout the almond production process.
Additionally, Edge developed an Excel-based emissions calculator, enabling growers and processors to measure and track emissions, ensuring data-driven decision-making for sustainable outcomes.
The Result
Through the clear presentation of complex information, the almond industry is equipped with the data, the know-how and the tools to measure and communicate its impact.
For many Australian producers, future-proofing their operations is a priority, but the complexity of each production system can create uncertainty about the best steps to take. This project focused on supporting growers and processors by equipping them with the confidence and tools to evaluate the sustainability of their methods, helping them further improve their environmental performance while also lowering costs and inefficiencies.
As a result, growers and processors are now empowered to discuss the sustainability of their operations with greater clarity.
The Australian almond industry now has an emissions benchmark, providing a foundation for continuous progress in reducing emissions while promoting the industry’s growth and prosperity.
Explore the User Guide and Online Portal.
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