Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is deeply concerned by the Climate Change Commission’s recommendation to raise New Zealand’s methane reduction targets even higher than the current targets.
The Commission argues that New Zealand’s targets could be more ambitious to compensate for the rest of the world’s actions not being on track to keep warming below 1.5 degrees.
B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland says New Zealand’s methane targets are already too high.
“Despite this, the Commission is asking us to do even more.
“The Government’s own Independent Scientific Review on Biogenic Methane Science and Targets panel’s findings show that if methane is reduced by between 14 and 24 percent, methane would be adding no additional warming from 2017 levels.”
B+LNZ-commissioned research by internationally respected climate scientists led by Professor Myles Allen showed that the current targets are too high and are asking methane to do more than other gases in terms of reductions.
“New Zealand can therefore revise downwards its methane targets and still hold its head up high internationally. There is simply no reason for us to do more,” Acland says.
“We’re looking for a fair and balanced approach. Methane should only be asked to do what is being asked of the other gases, which is to achieve no additional warming.
“The current target for carbon dioxide is net zero by 2050, which is no additional warming from that date.
“We encourage the Government to consider the independent panel’s findings and to make a swift decision so that farmers have certainty. We just want to get on with the business of being one of the world’s most sustainable food producers.
“We also hope it is possible to find an enduring solution, as we do not want the methane targets to become a political football.”
ENDS
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