‘Follow FAO in methane battle’

In its submission on the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill, Pukekohe-based Zest Biotech is calling for the Government to follow the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s lead on the issue.

Zest Biotech founder Nathan Balasingham says the biogenic methane reduction plan in the Zero Carbon Amendment Bill could be difficult to manage, but he sees an easier option. 

“Livestock do not emit methane at a constant rate or intensity,” Balasingham said. “The gas comes out both ends and at a variable rate.”

He says lab and chamber based measurement techniques have “serious limitations”.

“Therefore, biogenic methane per se cannot be accurately measured. If we can’t measure it, it is difficult to manage it.”

The model to measure, report and manage emissions intensity has been developed by the FAO, called Gleam. It is compliant with IPCC Tier 2 methodology and ISO standards 14040 and 14044 (ISO, 2006).

Balasingham says this strategy also ensures the other global challenges - poverty alleviation and food security - are also addressed.

“Agricultural emissions should be viewed as valuable resources that are currently being wasted. Methane is energy lost and urea is protein lost (leading to nitrous oxide emissions).

“If we can improve the efficiency of ruminant animals, we will produce more milk and meat and less waste (emissions). We have the technology to reduce emissions intensity and increase ruminant efficiency.”

Balasingham says this means New Zealand could increase milk and meat productivity and achieve a gross reduction in emissions. It could make economic gains and comply with international standards, meeting market demands for ‘low carbon’ produce and meeting our global food security obligations.

Balasingham questions the Government’s rationale behind providing more financial support to Overseer. Instead of funding Overseer, the Government should back FAO’s Gleam, he says.

“We recommend the Government uses Gleam and support the development and implementation of mitigation tools and strategies that will provide real steps toward achieving the Climate Bill targets.

“If we implement the FAO recommended options, our farmers will be economically smart and climate smart farming champions. For every tonne of methane a farmer reduces, 86 tonnes of CO2 is offset. For every tonne of nitrous oxide they reduce, 298 tonnes of CO2 is offset.”

Existing technology

Nathan Balasingham wants the Government to look at existing technology to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

He says Biozest, developed by his company, increases pasture resilience and productivity. When livestock graze the treated pasture, more pasture is converted to milk and meat and less is wasted as methane and urea: more profit, less gas and urea. 

Biozest helps farmers to reduce greenhouse gases and their environmental footprint through productivity gains, in line with the FAO’s recommendations, he says.

He says Biozest can double pasture productivity, as well established in trials.