Bipartisan support for the Zero Carbon Act will provide certainty for farmers about the framework for emissions, but sheep and beef farmers are disappointed the methane targets remain unchanged.
“We support many elements of the Zero Carbon Act, however we remain unhappy with the 24–47% methane target range as this is based on an international report that clearly stated it should not be used on an individual country basis,” says Sam McIvor, chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
“This range will mean that methane will be used to “cool” the planet while other gases are just being asked to provide no additional warming – that’s not fair or equitable.
“We are absolutely committed to playing our role to address climate change. We have reduced our absolute emissions by 30% since 1990. We have signed up to He Waka Eke Noa through which we will continue this progress through establishing a farm-level approach to addressing our agricultural emissions and ensuring farmers get credit for the sequestration happening on their farms.
“We welcome Minister James Shaw’s indications in the House yesterday that as part of the legislation, the Independent Climate Change Commission has the power to review the range as part of its process. Beef + Lamb New Zealand will continue to press for this to happen as soon as possible.”
For more information, please contact Gwynn Compton on 027 838 6353 or Sam Halstead 027 474 6065.
ENDS