Editorial: Time for a reset
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
Submissions made to the proposed Zero Carbon Bill support a path to a low emissions economy by 2050, says Climate Change Minister James Shaw.
He says there is also “nearly universal support” for an independent Climate Change Commission to advise on and monitor New Zealand’s progress towards emissions reduction goals.
“The vast majority of respondents want New Zealand to do everything we can to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, and offset the remainder, to reach ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2050.,” says Shaw.
The Ministry for the Environment has released a summary of the 15000 submissions made during consultation on the proposed Zero Carbon
Shaw notes that there was a strong representation from people and businesses who, whilst supporting the overall direction, expressed caution about the speed and scale of the transition and the pressure it will put their sectors under.
“We have to ensure that those concerns are heard and included as we put together the final shape of the Zero Carbon Bill. We need to take everyone with us and leave no one behind.
“These 15,009 submissions will combine with the advice we have received from the Productivity Commission, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Māori interests, and consultation with other political parties to help us finalise the draft Zero Carbon Bill that will be introduced to Parliament next year,” Shaw said.
He thanked all submitters and the Ministry for the Environment for its work in coordinating the Zero Carbon Bill consultation process.
The Commerce Commission says connectivity options for rural New Zealanders are front-of-mind as it begins a formal investigation into the future of the copper network.
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.
Regional councils are welcoming the certainty for councils in today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) announcement by the Government.
ASB says the decision to sign on to the AgriZeroNZ joint venture came out of a wish to be a part of the solution.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
OPINION: This old mutt understands that NZ Post will soon no longer be delivering to rural addresses on Saturdays.
OPINION: Your old mate notes that research on the make-up of the new parliament shows it is now far more…