Tuesday, 25 March 2025 13:25

Non, Paris!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Critics of NZ’s commitment to the Paris Accord, such as Groundswell and others, continue to push for an exemption for ag, arguing that the threat of trade retaliation is more hypothetical than real.

“In short, the idea of widespread trade sanctions or the dismantling of the deal is highly unlikely,” says Groundswell.

"People buy our products… because we efficiently produce high quality food at competitive prices. Our trade, even our trade with the EU, is not dependent on the Paris Agreement."

The Hound reckons that in the new world order, they might be right. Bill Gates, once a major force in climate advocacy, has shut down the policy and advocacy office of his nonprofit, Breakthrough Energy, laying off dozens of employees, now that Trump and co. plan to pull grants to climate nonprofits.

More like this

Election 2026: Rural Lobby Groups Challenge Parties on Agriculture Policy

Three farmer lobby groups are applying the blowtorch to political parties on key issues facing the primary sector ahead of the general elections.

Is the Coalition Government Really Backing Farmers?

OPINION: Many sheep and beef farmers will be worse off under the new environment legislation than they were under the Resource Management Act (RMA), claims Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) in an email to levy payers.

A hungry world

OPINION: The Hound reckons the argument run by the ‘agribusiness elite’ that the market will punish our exports if we don’t fall into line with spurious targets like the Paris Accord doesn’t pass the sniff test.

'Doomsday' overkill

OPINION: In a memo, rich guy Bill Gates didn't become a climate change denier, but he did give the world a dose of common sense, saying we should redirect efforts away from the campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and instead focus on other ways to improve human lives and reduce suffering.

New methane targets here to stay?

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.

Featured

Government Amends Stock Exclusion Regulations for Low-Intensity Grazing

The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

How AI and Wearable Tech Are Transforming NZ Dairy Farming Decisions

Technology and the use of artificial intelligence are increasingly part of life, both on the farm and off it.

Dairy Women’s Network Names 2026 Regional Leader Award Finalists

Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.

New Fungicide Approval Boosts NZ Potato Growers—Final Sign-Off Still Pending

Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.