Revised methane targets more achievable - farmers

The target will be set at a range of 14–24% below 2017 levels by 2050, reflecting the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024. The previous target was a range of 24 to 47%.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association say the Government’s announcement of revised methane targets better reflects the science, although the new targets will still be a stretch for the agriculture sector.  

 B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says B+LNZ has long argued for New Zealand’s methane targets to be amended in line with the principle of no additional warming.  

 “The previous targets were arbitrarily based on ranges used in an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that explicitly stated those ranges should not be used to set national targets.  

 “The revised targets better reflect the science around the different warming impact of short- and long-lived gases. Methane should only be asked to do what is expected of other gases, which is to achieve no additional warming.  

 “New Zealand’s red meat is already among the most climate-efficient in the world, thanks to our pasture-based farming systems.”

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MIA chair Nathan Guy says the revised targets are sensible and more achievable.

“They are grounded in science and strike the right balance between lowering emissions and maintaining food production.  

 “Importantly, they give our international customers confidence that New Zealand remains committed to doing its part on climate change.” 

 Acland says the removal of any price on agricultural emissions will be a welcome relief to farmers.  

 “Emissions from our sector are already coming down – the threat of a price was draining confidence from the rural sector and was just not justified.”

DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown said the new target range aligns closely with the recent Independent Methane Science and Target Review, conducted by leading NZ scientists including Professor Dave Frame and climate and farm systems expert Professor Nicola Shadbolt.

“It is important that the target range better reflects the latest science on methane’s warming impact, while also acknowledging the practical realities farmers face on farm,” says Brown.

She says that farmers have already made progress, with agricultural emissions stabilising over the past decade through efficiency gains and environmental improvements.

“Methane emissions from dairy cattle are down 4.1% since 2017. Today’s announcement will provide certainty for farmers going forward.

“We know that at the top end, 24% will be extremely challenging without new mitigation technologies. It’s important there is accelerated investment in research and that tools to farmers are fast-tracked to ensure targets can be achieved over time.”

Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) chair says dairy processors support a strong science underpinning for targets and New Zealand’s active contribution to international efforts. 

“We now have a clear and scientifically established line of sight between the global ambitions of the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5oC and the domestic biogenic methane reduction target.   

“In 2019, DCANZ supported New Zealand’s world-leading adoption of a split gas approach to emissions targets and called for there to be a strong scientific rationale for methane targets, and this announcement realises that.”  

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says they accepted a range of advice and worked closely with industry to agree a practical target that protects food production whilst substantially reducing New Zealand’s farm emissions.

“We are now delivering a practical, fair pathway that recognises New Zealand agriculture efficiency, protects jobs and production, and upholds our climate commitments.”

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the Government remains committed to its domestic and international climate change commitments, including net zero by 2050. Agriculture will continue make an important and fair contribution to achieving this reduction, says Watts.

The Coalition Government confirmed further policy changes alongside the new target:

• a legislated review in 2040 of the biogenic methane target to ensure its alignment with science and against progress of key trading partners
• no tax on agricultural methane emissions as this would risk closing down farms and send jobs and production overseas. Reductions in methane to meet the targets will be achieved in partnership and through industry leadership and processor incentives following the lead of companies like Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms
• investigate a split gas target for all of New Zealand’s future international climate change commitments
• recognise and protect the importance of food production in New Zealand by better aligning domestic legislation with language in the Paris Agreement.