Editorial: Time for a reset
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
A GLOBAL AGREEMENT is needed on greenhouse gases, but New Zealand is leading agricultural research on cutting emissions and farmers are doing their bit, says Climate Change minister, Tim Groser.
Groser says the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasises the need for a truly global agreement in 2015. The IPCC Working Group III report on the mitigation of climate change was released on Sunday (April 13). It says deep cuts in GHG emissions remain possible but there are significant challenges.
Groser says the report shows mitigation requires international cooperation. "New Zealand is doing its fair share on climate change, taking into account our unique national circumstances, both to restrict our own emissions and support the global efforts needed to make the cuts that will limit warming," he says
"We are leading international research into reducing agricultural emissions, which are a significant contributor to total global emissions. We are working with other countries in the Asia Pacific on the development of international carbon markets, and we are helping vulnerable Pacific neighbours adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts, with more than $80 million pledged over the next three years.
"We are making inroads that will gradually restrict our own emissions. We are a country with a growing population, yet the emissions intensity of our economy has decreased by more than one quarter since 1990," he says
"At the same time agriculture GDP increased 48%, while emissions only went up by 12%. That means farmers have been producing more meat and milk for export, with fewer greenhouse gas emissions per kilo. New Zealand is also significantly ahead of most countries in limiting energy sector emissions, as our electricity supply is mostly renewable and we are heading towards a 90% renewable system by 2025.
"New Zealand has made an unconditional commitment to take responsibility for our own emissions, with a target of 5% below 1990 levels by 2020. This target is comparable with the targets of many other developed countries."
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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