Revised methane targets more achievable - farmers
Farmers are welcoming the Government’s revised science-based biogenic methane targets for 2050.
The Government has launched its new Climate Strategy, which it says is a comprehensive and ambitious plan to reduce the impact of climate change and prepare for its future effects.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the strategy is built on five core pillars, all underscoring the Government's commitment to delivering its climate change goals.
The pillars are:
“Households, businesses, and our economy are already feeling the effects of climate change,” Watts says. “We have seen what severe weather can do to infrastructure and property, and how that disrupts our supply chains and communities.”
“Our Government has committed to meeting our climate change targets - reducing net emissions is one of the nine Government targets to achieve better results from the public service,” he adds.
The Government will soon be consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan for the period 2026-2030. This will form the basis for the Government's response to reduce New Zealand’s emissions in line with the country’s targets.
“The Emissions Reduction Plan will set out policy proposals across the five pillars and focus on the largest drivers of emissions in New Zealand – energy, transport, agriculture, and waste sectors,” Watts says.
Claims that farmers are polluters of waterways and aquifers and 'don't care' still ring out from environmental groups and individuals. The phrase 'dirty dairying' continues to surface from time to time. But as reporter Peter Burke points out, quite the opposite is the case. He says, quietly and behind the scenes, farmers are embracing new ideas and technologies to make their farms sustainable, resilient, environmentally friendly and profitable.
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.
Tributes have flowed following the death of former Prime Minister and political and business leader, Jim Bolger. He was 90.
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.
Farmer shareholders of meat processor Alliance have voted in favour of a proposed $270 million joint venture investment by Irish company, Dawn Meats.