Displaying items by tag: climate change

OPINION: I can now say with confidence that the conversation on agricultural emissions is in for a huge shake-up. 

Following the conclusion of the Zero Carbon Bill consultation process, it has become clear that the local agriculture sector is likely to be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Submissions made to the proposed Zero Carbon Bill support a path to a low emissions economy by 2050, says Climate Change Minister James Shaw.

Grass grub and porina are causing $2.3 billion of damage to New Zealand pastures annually, according to an AgResearch study.

The Government says it will be important to set the right 2050 target in its Zero Carbon Bill. 

Environmental compliance is already a common business practice in dairying and horticulture, and now sheep and beef farmers must devise farm environmental plans (FEP) — a daunting prospect for some. 

The previous government issued a call-to-action to New Zealand: double primary production export earnings while maintaining or improving water quality. 

OPINION: Beware the snag in the incentivised pushing by central and local government to get hill country into trees.

OPINION: Two important pieces of work released in the last couple of weeks bring into clear focus the challenge New Zealand faces in its greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

If farmers want to offset their emissions under the likely Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), then it is rational to plant forestry and get the carbon credits for that, says Farm Foresters Association president Neil Cullen.