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New Zealand has cut its methane emissions targets from agriculture, a move criticised by Greenpeace but welcomed by the local farming group body.<\/p>\n
The government of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the reduction in biogenic methane emissions \u2013 those generated by meat and dairy livestock \u2013 targets yesterday (12 October), setting a new goal by 2050 to achieve cuts of 14-24% from 2017 levels.<\/p>\n
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It previously sought to lower biogenic methane emissions by 24-47% over the same timeframe. However, a goal to reduce those emissions by 10% by 2030 was left in place using the same 2017 yardstick.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, New Zealand is not moving away from a target to reach net zero in terms of greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide, excluding biogenic methane, by 2050.<\/p>\n Campaign group Greenpeace said the new target \u201camounts to full-blown climate denial\u201d.<\/p>\n Changing Markets Foundation, the NGO environmental advocacy group, suggests methane is a \u201csignificant\u201d contributor to global warming (0.5\u00b0C based on 2023 data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), compared to 0.8\u00b0C for CO2.<\/p>\n Amanda Larsson, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace Aotearoa, said in yesterday\u2019s statement that New Zealand\u2019s decision is \u201ctruly astounding\u201d.<\/p>\n She added: \u201cLuxon has gone full-on Trump. He\u2019s choosing climate denial and corporate profits over our kids\u2019 future.<\/p>\n \u201cNew Zealand is the world\u2019s biggest dairy exporter. If we back down on cutting emissions from our most polluting industry, you can bet other big livestock-producing countries will jump on the bandwagon. That could be game over for the climate.\u201d<\/p>\n Wayne Langford, the president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, said the backtrack by the government was \u201clong overdue\u201d and represents a \u201cpractical step\u201d in the support of farmers.<\/p>\n He said the previous methane emissions target of 24-47% \u201clacked any credible science to underpin it\u201d and put New Zealand farmers at risk of going out of business.<\/p>\n \u201cKiwi farmers have been bogged down in completely unscientific, unaffordable and unrealistic climate policy for far too long. At times it\u2019s felt like absolute madness that we\u2019d even be talking about policies that would shut down farms, send production offshore, and completely undermine New Zealand\u2019s economy,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n Langford claimed New Zealand\u2019s meat and dairy farmers are the \u201cmost climate-friendly\u201d in the world.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cThis new target brings New Zealand\u2019s climate policy in line with what the research tells us is actually required to stop Kiwi farmers contributing to further warming.<\/p>\n \u201cA methane tax would have achieved the opposite of its intent \u2013 forcing the closure of Kiwi farms, driving production to less efficient countries, and increasing global emissions.\u201d<\/p>\n Under New Zealand\u2019s Climate Change Response Act, the government is obliged to review the 2050 targets every five years to \u201censure they are fit for purpose\u201d, the administration confirmed in yesterday\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n A so-called \u201csplit-gas\u201d approach has been taken to separate biogenic methane emissions from CO2 emissions. That is because methane emissions are considered a \u201cshort-lived greenhouse gas\u201d as opposed to long-lived with CO2, the government said.<\/p>\n The 2050 biogenic methane target will be next reviewed in 2040. Based on current projections, the government said it is confident it can achieve the 2050 goals of net zero greenhouse gases and the 24% cut in methane emissions.<\/p>\n However, it added that \u201csince 2050 is so far in the future, there\u2019s a high degree of uncertainty around these projections\u201d.<\/p>\n \n Sign up for our daily news round-up! Just Food Excellence Awards – The Benefits of Entering<\/p>\n Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards<\/a> celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don\u2019t miss your chance to stand out\u2014submit your entry today!<\/p>\n
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