Subsidies keeping wind, solar generation viable
OPINION: I recently wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister because at a recent Federated Farmers meeting, Chris Luxon told me wind and solar generation is not subsidised.
The society’s flagship event, Fieldays reduced its 2025 greenhouse gas emissions by 81% compared to its 2013 base year: figures were verified by Instep (a New Zealand-based sustainability consultancy) under ISO 20121 and ISO 14064 standards. This year’s event, held in June, hosted 110,000 visitors and 1,100 exhibitors.
Total emissions dropped to 2,628.59 tCO₂e, a 27% fall from 2024. Emissions per visitor reached 23.90 kg CO₂e, the lowest recorded for the event. Transport emissions fell to 2,521.29 tCO₂e, an 81% drop from the 2013 peak. Electricity emissions reduced to 13.89 tCO₂e, a 31% fall from 2013. Greenhouse gas emissions from waste have been slashed by 91% compared to our 2013 baseline, and 14% of visitors used public transport, close to the long-standing target of 155.
It says these gains reflect a decade of work by the Society to reduce its environmental impact, which they credit to data driven decision making, comprehensive waste diversion programs, incentives for low-emission transport, and stakeholder engagement to promote sustainable practices.
Richard Lindroos, chief executive of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society says reaching their 2030 target early shows the focus and effort of the team and partners.
“We will keep improving how we run Fieldays and finding new ways to support sustainable business,” he says.
Alisha Black, climate & sustainability: Instep Asia Pacific says Fieldays shows how large-scale events can reduce environmental impact while continuing to support businesses and the primary industries.
The society has also partnered with Waipā Networks on a three-year PhD project exploring farmer-to-farmer electricity trading. The project will help strengthen rural power networks and offer insights for managing energy at Fieldays and Mystery Creek Events Centre. It will support better long-term planning and more renewable energy use across the site.
The society’s community and sustainability executive, Janine Frohlich-Monk, says that sustainability is considered in all operations, and reaching this goal early shows their commitment to real change.
“We’re determined to keep pushing boundaries and lead the way in sustainable event management.”
