The government will carefully consider the findings of the independent review on New Zealand's biogenic methane science and targets.
The panel of highly regarded New Zealand and international scientists has provided evidence-based advice on New Zealand’s biogenic methane target to ensure no additional warming.
If the rest of the world rapidly increased its climate policies to meet the 1.5 degrees warming Paris goal, then reducing New Zealand’s biogenic methane emissions by 24 percent by 2050 would satisfy the goal of achieving no additional warming on 2017 levels by 2050.
In scenarios where global emissions of greenhouse gasses do not reduce rapidly in the next couple of decades, a reduction in 2017 biogenic methane emission levels of around 14 to 15 percent by 2050 would satisfy the goal of achieving no additional warming on 2017 levels by 2050.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said they would take time to carefully consider the panel’s findings alongside the advice from the Climate Change Commission to confirm a target in the new year.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay added that the Government was committed to meeting New Zealand’s climate obligations without shutting down Kiwi farms. He said methane targets must be scientifically based and practical.
“We have delivered on our commitment to take agriculture out of the ETS and are working on solutions to meet our international obligations,” said McClay.
“The Government is investing more than NZD 400 million over the next four years to accelerate the development and uptake of tools and technology that will help reduce on-farm emissions.”
The government will continue working with the industry to meet domestic settings. Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard said New Zealand farmers were some of the world’s most carbon-efficient food producers.
“We can meet our obligations through innovation and technology.”
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson agreed investment in innovative technology was the key.
“We want to ensure that our farmers remain at the forefront of global methane mitigation efforts through science-based tools and solutions,” said Patterson.
