Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Meeting biological emissions targets

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Many farmers want to act to reduce emissions but need more information about what steps they can take, a new report shows. It also found if all farmers use today’s best practice they might be able to cut emissions by up to 10%. 
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So continued funding for research into novel technologies will be important for reducing emissions further, the Biological Emissions Reference Group Report, the culmination of two years of research into the opportunities, costs and barriers to reducing biological emissions in New Zealand’s primary industries, said.

The group is a joint agriculture industry-Government working group of Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, Deer Industry NZ, Federated Farmers, the Fertiliser Association, Fonterra, HortNZ, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment.

It saw the need for a good evidence base to support the sector to address some key climate challenges, MPI general policy and trade deputy director Penny Nelson said.

“Farmers were asking what practical things they can do to reduce their emissions. 

“We needed to improve our shared understanding of the possible innovation and solutions and the barriers standing in farmers’ way,” Nelson said.

“The findings highlight the need for good information and tailored advice for farmers,” DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said.

“There is no single answer to reducing emissions. We’ll need a combination of solutions tailored to land and farm types.  

“The primary sectors will face a lot of change over the next few decades as they have the last few. This evidence will help farmers, government and advisers to steer the right path and understand the possible costs,” he said.

Environment Ministry water and climate change deputy secretary Cheryl Barnes said “It’s great that the agricultural sectors and Government are working in partnership to provide information to inform discussion on these important issues.”

B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor said “An additional benefit from establishing BERG has been strengthening the relationships between its members. 

“Our farmers have already made progress in reducing emissions and improving productivity and are committed to continuing on this journey.”

The group has commissioned nine new research projects. 

The work has already informed advice to the Government on options for the 2050 emissions target and will feed into future planning and policy. It has also been used by the Productivity Commission, the Interim Climate Change Committee and the industry.

The BERG plans to host an event early this year to discuss the analysis and findings in more depth.a

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