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The Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is being developed by the Centre for Sustainable Finance and the Ministry for the Environment.
OPINION: For most farmers and readers, the term Sustainable Finance Taxonomy will make little sense.
But if Federated Farmers and Groundswell are to be believed, then the 'green' finance rules being devised by the Government risk doing real harm to rural communities.
The Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is being developed by the Centre for Sustainable Finance and the Ministry for the Environment to provide a consistent framework for defining what is 'green' or 'sustainable' in financial markets.
Federated Farmers says it would create major risks for New Zealand's agricultural sector and is urging the Government to halt the process entirely.
One of their core concerns is the lack of practical farming expertise involved in developing the taxonomy - there are no hands-on farmers involved with the Technical Advisory Group. Instead, it's full of shiny-shoed bankers, sustainability advisors, and forestry lobbyists, according to Feds.
In a letter sent to Ministers and key officials on July 11, Federated Farmers outlined a series of serious concerns with the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
Groundswell, which is keeping pressure on the Government to withdraw from the Paris climate change pact, claims under the taxonomy proposal, all farms would be classified as green, amber or red. If a farm is classified red, it is unable to align with Paris 1.5 degree and in the words of the proposal "the only way... is for them to be phased out".
The Government must come out and explain the NZ Taxonomy proposal.
Some farmers want the Government to disband the taxonomy process entirely, warning it will do more harm than good.
Critics believe that this isn't a path to sustainable finance. If their claims are right, that it is ideologically driven and practically unworkable, it risks serious harm to rural New Zealand.
A drop in methane targets announced by the Government this month has pleased farmers but there are concerns that without cross-party support, the targets would change once a Labour-led Government is voted into office.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
OPINION: This old mutt is loath to sound like Groundswell has been topping up his bowl with brisket off-cuts, but the ginger group makes a good point about the arguments raised in favour of toeing the Paris Agreement line.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.
