This year we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put New Zealand and our primary industries on a more certain and sustainable footing for the next 30 years and beyond.
The effects of our changing climate are going to touch almost every aspect of our primary sectors in the next few decades.
Many are already seeing the effects and have made necessary changes.
We will see more frequent weather extremes and rural communities, in particular, will likely face multiple challenges at once.
The brutal reality of this was most recently demonstrated with the wildfires raging in the extreme, dry conditions in Tasman. A medium-scale event was declared and has now been extended to cover drought in the top of the South Island.
Rivers in Golden Bay are at their lowest levels in 80 years and figures released by NIWA earlier this month show we have experienced two of the three hottest summers ever recorded with Hokitika experiencing the driest summer since records began in 1866.
As a country we need to work together to reduce our collective impact on the environment.
We know farmers value the environment, it is crucial for their businesses. Many approach farm management as stewards of the land for future generations. Some have spent recent decades reducing emissions, restoring waterways and sustaining their soils for the future.
Many have invested in improving their environmental outcomes by focusing on the simple things first, like:
Targeted fertiliser application via a whole farm soil testing programme;
Strategic use of nitrogen;
Stopping practices such as minimum tillage and rotation;
Land class suitability mapping;
Proof of placement technology and;
Stock exclusion and riparian planting.
The Biological Emissions Reference Group (BERG) report shows national reduction of on-farm emissions in the next few decades is possible but not simple. The options are different for each farm and some will need investment in new systems, skills and technology.
Farming is a complex business.
Becoming more resilient in a changing climate while meeting market demands and optimising animal health and productivity is no easy ask, especially as we work together to sustain value growth in the sector.
We hear the call from the agricultural sector for direction and certainty.
We know we need to make the goal posts clear.
The Zero Carbon Bill is intended to set a new, long-term emissions reduction target for NZ that’s in line with the global goal of reducing temperature increase to 1.5 degrees below pre-industrial levels.
There has been great engagement with 15,000 submissions received on the Bill last year as well as substantial feedback on proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme.
An Interim Climate Change Committee was also set up last year to develop evidence and analysis of ways agriculture might enter the ETS, with the intention of passing its advice on to the yet to be established Independent Climate Change Commission once the commission is established under the Zero Carbon Bill.
However, farmers need answers much sooner around the questions of whether agriculture should enter the ETS and, if so, how.
Therefore, we have decided the committee will now report its findings and recommendations directly to the Minister for the Climate Change in April, instead of waiting until the commission is set up and legislation is in place so this advice can be considered alongside other important climate change decisions.
After more than a decade of research funded by the government and agricultural sectors and more than a year of conversations with land owners around the country now is the time to act.
We will be engaging with our Treaty partners and broader stakeholders in preparation for public consultation on its recommendations.
It must be noted the interim committee’s recommendations are independent and are not policy. We will consider the recommendations in full and we will seek your feedback. Then, we expect to be able to make decisions this year.
NZ is already a world leader on research into reducing emissions in the agriculture sector. We are committed to a successful transition to a low-emissions economy and New Zealanders from all sectors are ready to do their part to reduce emissions.
So let’s keep talking, working together and getting on with the tasks at hand – after all, climate change is everyone’s responsibility.
