Agriculture

Low emission meat products 'simply greenwashing'

Today 11:15am - A new meat product using bobby calves, that its producer claims will address ethical and environmental concerns in the New Zealand dairy sector, is being labelled "industry greenwashing".

Food system must be included in climate policy – expert

Today 11:15am - Improving farming production methods, rather than reducing the number of animals farmed, will likely have only a limited overall impact on reducing emissions, according to an expert.

Finding the recipe for a low carbon diet

Today 11:15am - COMMENT: The majority of New Zealanders could easily blow their entire two-tonne carbon budget just on food. However, not all foods are created equal, writes Emily Mabin Sutton.

Agribusiness-friendly states in Brazil try to undo forest protections

Today 11:15am - Several states in Brazil are trying to rid themselves of rainforest protections, bowing to pressure from cattle ranchers and soybean growers to cut down trees and expand agriculture.

Waitangi Tribunal kicks off inquiry into climate change policy

Friday - By Liz Kivi | The Crown has contributed to worsening the climate crisis as well as exacerbating impacts on Māori communities, a Waitangi Tribunal panel heard this week.

Controversy around methane review heats up

Thursday - The government’s proposal to align methane targets with ‘no additional warming’ is self-serving, unfair to developing nations, and could ultimately harm New Zealand’s reputation and free trade agreements, according to a new report.

Labour slams National Party’s lack of action on climate

Thursday - Labour leader Chris Hipkins has attacked the National Party’s recent performance on climate, saying National has given up on climate action.

Exports risk multi-billion dollar hit if GMO rules deregulated

26 Nov 24 - New Zealand’s primary sector exports could drop by $10 billion to $20 billion a year if the government goes ahead with plans to change genetic modification rules, according to a new report.

Govt passes bill to keep farming emissions out of ETS

25 Nov 24 - The government quietly passed a bill to remove agricultural emissions from New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme on Friday, making no official statement announcing the law change.

Delaying agricultural emissions pricing comes with a cost

20 Nov 24 - Holding back on agricultural emissions pricing could cost New Zealand hundreds of millions more in future offshore climate mitigation.

Federated Farmers slam banks for "unfair" emissions reduction targets

14 Nov 24 - By Shannon Williams | Banks setting emissions targets for their farming customers shouldn't be a big ask, according to an expert, as Federated Farmers cries foul over banks setting tougher emissions...

The world’s best hope to beat climate change is vanishing

13 Nov 24 - To have a chance against global warming, key economies and industries need to hit crucial emissions targets by 2030. They’re far off track.

Govt accused of kicking can down the road on ag emissions

12 Nov 24 - The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill completed its second reading in Parliament with Opposition parties saying it was a step backwards.

ECan, Lincoln University enter new MoU

11 Nov 24 - Potential joint research projects through the partnership include climate change adaptation and mitigation, farm economics under changing climate, legislation and market forces, and impacts and...

Govt could make significant domestic reductions towards second NDC - but needs to hurry up

8 Nov 24 - The government could find much of the needed emissions reductions for its next Paris Agreement pledge at home – but needs to get on with it, says new analysis from the Climate Change Commission.

NZ can do better on climate policy, says auditor general

8 Nov 24 - New Zealand’s legislative framework is a strength of its response to climate change, however it is not doing so well in other areas, according to a new report.

Constraints on forestry set to slash unit supply

8 Nov 24 - COMMENT: Carbon unit supply from forestry looks set to be limited by multiple factors - and by 2040 NZUs from new forestry are likely to fulfill only a fraction of demand, writes Ollie...

Germany and New Zealand partner to support agriculture and tackle global emissions

25 Oct 24 - Media release | New Zealand and Germany have announced the official start of a partnership aimed at supporting the agriculture sector and tackling global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions,...

Environmental management failing to hold the line - Upton

24 Oct 24 - Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is not confident New Zealand’s efforts are making a difference to environmental quality.