Topics tagged with 'Agriculture'
Climate-denying farming groups attack govt’s methane strategy
Fri 16 May 2025
A trio of farming groups is claiming that a survey shows 95% of farmers have rejected the government’s methane strategy.
NZ’s methane reducing vaccine selected as global finalist for Innovation Showcase
Fri 16 May 2025
Media release | New Zealand agricultural biotech company Lucidome Bio has been selected as one of just fourteen global finalists to pitch at the Animal Health, Nutrition and Technology Innovation USA event this week in Boston – a significant opportunity to showcase its world-first methane-reducing vaccine on the international stage.
As temperatures rise, the US Corn Belt could see insurance claims soar
Thu 15 May 2025
Crop insurance is a lifeline for farmers. But research shows it's not ready for climate change.
Greens promise to rapidly reduce emissions in new Green Budget
Wed 14 May 2025
By Shannon Williams | The Green Party has unveiled its alternative Green Budget, promising bold investments to tackle the climate crisis and deliver cleaner air, water, and soil.
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit
Wed 14 May 2025
The climate crisis is threatening the future of the world’s most popular fruit, as almost two-thirds of banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean may no longer be suitable for growing the fruit by 2080, new research has found.
Media round-up
9 May 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: When climate resilience meets resident resistance in Auckland; atmospheric and marine heatwaves in and around New Zealand are increasing climate extremes; and seaweed's climate superpowers.
Concern at new science appointments
8 May 2025
The prime minister's appointment of John Roche as chief science advisor has received a mixed response, with some experts saying the government has made it obvious it doesn't value science.
AgriZeroNZ backs methane-cutting probiotic in first Australian investment
8 May 2025
Media release | AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership accelerating development of tools to help farmers cut emissions, is investing NZ$1.5 million in Bovotica, a pioneering Australian start-up aiming to reduce methane emissions from cattle and boost productivity.
Farming lobby attacks ‘loopholes’ in carbon forestry limits
7 May 2025
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging the government to close what it says are loopholes in new guidance around limits on carbon forestry.
Govt on track to ban farm-to-forest conversions - McClay
2 May 2025
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has confirmed that restrictions on full farm-to-forest conversions on LUC 1-6 farmland will be in place this year.
Second 'woke banks' bill aims to remove climate disclosures
30 Apr 2025
By Shannon Williams | The ACT Party has joined the fight against so-called "woke" banks by introducing a member’s bill aimed at repealing laws that require banks and other financial institutions to report on climate-related disclosures.
AgriZeroNZ partners with Innovate UK to unlock new investment opportunities
28 Apr 2025
Media release | AgriZeroNZ has entered a new partnership with Britain’s national innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Internal affairs considering complaints against Greenpeace
24 Apr 2025
By Shannon Williams | The Department of Internal Affairs is looking at complaints about Greenpeace Aotearoa after Federated Farmers called for the environmental organisation to be stripped of its charity status.
Indonesia food plan risks 'world's largest' deforestation
24 Apr 2025
Keen to end its reliance on rice imports, Indonesia wants to plant vast tracts of the crop, along with sugar cane for biofuel, in the restive eastern region.
Moribund carbon price underlines Emissions Trading Scheme’s low integrity
22 Apr 2025
By Liz Kivi | Experts are blaming declining carbon prices on weak policy settings and the government’s unwillingness to tackle continuing problems with the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Environment Court rules Mackenzie biodiversity deserves bespoke protection
17 Apr 2025
Media release | In a decision years in the making, the Environment Court has upheld EDS’s contention that Te Manahuna / the Mackenzie Basin’s significant ecology and indigenous biodiversity warrants a bespoke planning regime to protect it from farming intensification.
Trump administration cancels $3-billion climate friendly farming program
17 Apr 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday said it had cancelled a $3 billion program for climate-smart farming projects after a review found it did not align with the priorities of the Trump administration.
NZ's emissions fell 2% in 2023 - latest GHG inventory
15 Apr 2025
Aotearoa New Zealand’s gross greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 2% in 2023, according to the latest greenhouse gas inventory.
Environmental summit to tackle costs of economic reform
14 Apr 2025
As the government pushes ahead with sweeping reforms to unlock economic growth, the upcoming Environmental Defence Society annual summit will ask a critical question: at what cost?
New Zealand’s glacier volume down 42% since 2005
14 Apr 2025
Media release | Total glacier ice volumes in Aotearoa New Zealand decreased by 42 percent between 2005 and 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
Meat industry behind attacks on flagship climate-friendly diet report
14 Apr 2025
New evidence suggests the surge of outrage against the report was stoked by a PR firm that represents the meat and dairy sector.
Emissions down but reductions have slowed
10 Apr 2025
While New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 11% in the past five years, reductions have slowed down, with only a 1% drop from 2023 to 2024.
Experts slam govt decision to wind down green investment bank
9 Apr 2025
The government’s move to scrap its green investment bank is a step backwards for emissions reductions and doesn’t stack up with the National Party’s economic and energy transition strategies, according to sustainable finance experts.
'Sobering' state of NZ environment
8 Apr 2025
Mounting environmental pressures across the country could cause serious consequences for people’s health, housing, livelihoods, and overall quality of life, a new report reveals.
Are carrots threatened by climate change?
8 Apr 2025
Media release | The humble carrot is a staple in many diets worldwide, but it may soon be under threat as the effects of climate change intensify, impacting seed production and global food security.
Biofuels key to food security and shipping resilience for NZ
7 Apr 2025
By Shannon Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand's reliance on imported fossil fuels poses significant risks for food security and shipping resilience in the face of global catastrophes, according to experts speaking at a recent webinar on biofuel self-sufficiency.
Gene Tech Bill risks farmers’ livelihoods, trade, and NZ’s global reputation: OANZ
7 Apr 2025
Media release | Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has told Parliament that the proposed Gene Technology Bill will have devastating impacts on the organic sector.
Media round-up
4 Apr 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Europe is heading towards an emissions tax on dairy imports; Auckland Transport stops measuring emissions cuts; and Stuff asks if the Paris Agreement is over.
The case against a carbon credit farm in Madagascar
1 Apr 2025
The Italian multinational Tozzi Green has begun planting trees on land that local residents claim was stolen from them.
New bill to block climate litigation ‘constitutional overreach’ - lawyers
27 Mar 2025
Climate and environmental advocates have slammed a National MP’s bill that would block people suing companies for climate damage.
Farmers are reeling from Trump’s attacks on agricultural research
27 Mar 2025
A "rollercoaster" of funding cuts and layoffs have gutted critical agricultural research projects across the nation.
Floodplain grazing phase-out on cards
25 Mar 2025
By Emily Ireland, Local Democracy Reporter| Grazing on 576 hectares of regional-council owned flood protection land in Wairarapa could be heavily reduced in favour of emissions-friendly activities.
‘One-third’ of 2012 soya crop failure in the Americas was due to climate change
25 Mar 2025
Climate change was responsible for just over one-third of the simultaneous soya bean crop failures across Argentina, Brazil and the US in 2012, according to a new attribution study.
Greens call for agriculture in, forestry out of ETS
20 Mar 2025
Yesterday's failed Emission's Trading Scheme auction is 'another indictment' on the government's climate credibility, says Green Party co-leader and climate change spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick.
Fonterra linked to illegal deforestation, claims Greenpeace
5 Mar 2025
Dairy giant Fonterra's supply chain is linked with illegal deforestation, according to Greenpeace Aotearoa, after New Zealand's major importers of palm kernel have been found to be illegally operating palm plantations in Indonesia.
Watts tells farmers billion dollar cost of climate commitments is 'misinformation'
27 Feb 2025
Greenpeace has slammed climate change minister Simon Watts for saying that New Zealand does not have to meet climate targets under the Paris climate agreement.
Fonterra announces more cash for low-emission farmers
19 Feb 2025
Dairy co-operative Fonterra is introducing higher payments for farms that reduce on-farm emissions.
Pesticides worsen biodiversity crisis
14 Feb 2025
New Zealand needs to urgently move to alternative practices to reduce pesticide impacts on biodiversity and change the country's "completely outdated" regulatory framework, experts say.
Swedish company gets $4 million to help curb NZ livestock emissions
13 Feb 2025
Industry-government partnership AgriZeroNZ is investing about NZD $4.2 million in Agteria Biotech, a Swedish company aiming to slash global methane emissions from cattle.
Media round-up
31 Jan 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Fonterra gets caught up in misinformation around use of feed additive Bovaer and two Wellington communities want to become the first carbon-neutral suburbs in the world.
NZ banks coy about Net Zero Banking Alliance, reject Fed Farmers 'cartel' claims
29 Jan 2025
By Shannon Williams | New Zealand banks won't say whether they will follow several overseas banks in quitting the Net Zero Banking Alliance.
NZ’s dairy industry faces an uncertain future – its fate now lies in its ability to adapt
20 Dec 2024
New Zealand’s dairy sector faces an uncertain future due to several challenges, including water pollution, high emissions, animal welfare concerns and market volatility.
Waitangi Tribunal kicks off inquiry into climate change policy
20 Dec 2024
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.
The night shift
20 Dec 2024
With extreme heat making it perilous to work during the day, farmers and fisherfolk worldwide are adopting overnight hours. That comes with new dangers.
Govt delivers standardised emissions measurement tool
16 Dec 2024
Media release| The Government is delivering on its Q4 commitment, restoring certainty and credibility to the agriculture sector by introducing a standardised, science-based method for measuring farm-level greenhouse gas emissions, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, has announced.
Second emissions reduction plan still off-track
11 Dec 2024
The government has released its final emissions reduction plan for 2026-30, copping criticism for relying on unproven technology such as carbon capture and storage, as well as failing to meet crucial climate targets.
The real reason everything’s getting more expensive
10 Dec 2024
Inflation was a defining issue in the presidential election. Here's how climate change is making everything more expensive.
Methane-reducing supplement plagued by misinformation
10 Dec 2024
Concern has been rising over the use of a feed supplement, Bovaer 10, to reduce methane production in cows.
Green Party releases alternative climate plan
9 Dec 2024
The Green Party wants to take forestry out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and instead create biodiversity credits for afforestation.
Kāinga Ora’s ‘KO’ to the wool industry
9 Dec 2024
Media release | Federated Farmers says Kāinga Ora’s decision to categorically rule out use of woollen carpets in social housing is a total slap in the face for struggling Kiwi sheep farmers.
Budget 2025 needs to prioritise a thriving and resilient Pacific region
Fri 16 May 2025
Media release | World Vision New Zealand is urging the government to prioritise Pacific prosperity and resilience with strong investment in climate finance and foreign aid as part of Budget 2025.
Air New Zealand announces less ambitious emissions ‘guidance’
2 May 2025
Air New Zealand has published its first “emissions guidance,” saying it expects to reduce net “well-to-wake” greenhouse gas emissions from jet fuel by 20-25% by 2030, from a 2019 baseline.
As Brazilian president visits China, $1 billion sustainable fuel deal announced
Fri 16 May 2025
Brazil announced two Chinese partnerships on Monday, including a $1 billion investment by China's Envision Energy to produce sustainable aviation fuel, as the country's president visits China.
Nature is not an economic handbrake: Environmental Defence Society
Fri 16 May 2025
Nature is not a handbrake on economic growth – the two must go hand in hand, attendees heard on the final day of the Environmental Defence Society’s Dollars and Sense conference this week.
Sustainability claims questioned as renewable diesel surges
Wed 14 May 2025
Critics are sceptical about industry claims of renewable diesel life-cycle greenhouse gas emission cuts and warn renewable diesel carbon releases will surge if sourcing is scaled up, triggering tropical deforestation as producers convert forests to energy crops, such as oil palm and soy.
Carbon price up but June auction still tipped to fail
Thu 15 May 2025
The carbon price has recovered somewhat as forestry selling eases, however NZUs are still changing hands on the secondary market at well below the $68 auction floor.
Private equity eyes up to US$1.3 trillion climate adaptation market by 2030
Fri 16 May 2025
While the public sector is expected to account for the bulk of adaptation funding, a new study identifies six investable segments for private investors, from climate risk data providers to flood defense infrastructure.
Greens promise to rapidly reduce emissions in new Green Budget
Wed 14 May 2025
By Shannon Williams | The Green Party has unveiled its alternative Green Budget, promising bold investments to tackle the climate crisis and deliver cleaner air, water, and soil.
Coal India to set up $3 billion worth clean energy projects to boost renewable heft
Wed 14 May 2025
The world’s largest government-owned coal producer will set up clean energy projects of around 4.5 gigawatts at a cost of 250 billion rupees (about $3 billion), it said on Thursday, as it aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its operations.
Trump’s actions are already having consequences for climate, especially for the IPCC - expert
11 Apr 2025
Leading climate scientist, Dr Kevin Trenberth, left the US and came home to New Zealand because of the rise of Donald Trump. In this comment piece, he writes that he is appalled in multiple ways by the so-called “war on science” unfolding through staff cuts and the president’s policy edicts.
Owning a green home could cut mortgage payback time by two years
9 May 2025
A green certified home plus a green mortgage and associated energy bill savings could save Kiwi families up to $98,800 over the course of their mortgage - the equivalent of being mortgage-free several years early, according to new research.
Govt needs to get moving to deliver international climate target says commission
Mon 12 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Climate Change Commission is warning that “time is running short” for the government to deliver on its international climate target.
Energy Australia is in court accused of greenwashing. What is the case about and why is it significant?
Fri 16 May 2025
Climate group alleges energy giant misled 400,000 customers about ‘Go Neutral’ product, arguing that carbon credits don’t actually remove emissions.
Environment Court rules Mackenzie biodiversity deserves bespoke protection
17 Apr 2025
Media release | In a decision years in the making, the Environment Court has upheld EDS’s contention that Te Manahuna / the Mackenzie Basin’s significant ecology and indigenous biodiversity warrants a bespoke planning regime to protect it from farming intensification.
Running blind: The silencing and censoring of environmental threats to US national security
Fri 16 May 2025
Immediately after the inauguration of President Donald Trump in January 2025, his administration began purging environmental reports from the public record.
Oceans Commission must have teeth – minister
Wed 14 May 2025
If an Oceans Commission were to be established under the government it would need genuine powers to make change, says Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones.
Farming lobby attacks ‘loopholes’ in carbon forestry limits
7 May 2025
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging the government to close what it says are loopholes in new guidance around limits on carbon forestry.
Methanex closure comes early this year
Wed 14 May 2025
The almost-now-annual closure of Methanex has come earlier this year, giving more confidence that the electricity system will get through the winter without a fuel shortfall.
Hotter and deeper: how NZ’s plan to drill for ‘supercritical’ geothermal energy holds promise and risk
2 Apr 2025
By David Dempsey, University of Canterbury | New Zealand’s North Island features a number of geothermal systems, several of which are used to generate some 1,000 MegaWatts of electricity. But deeper down there may be even more potential.
Banking regulators agree to prioritise climate risk work
Wed 14 May 2025
Global banking regulators on Monday agreed to intensify efforts to better understand the financial risks posed by climate change amid pushback from the United States.
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit
Wed 14 May 2025
The climate crisis is threatening the future of the world’s most popular fruit, as almost two-thirds of banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean may no longer be suitable for growing the fruit by 2080, new research has found.
Global livestock industry exposed for rampant rainforest destruction, despite no-deforestation pledges
23 Apr 2025
Media release | Greenpeace Aotearoa says a new investigation revealing that the world’s largest meat company, JBS, will fail to meet its deforestation-free commitment is yet more proof of false promises from the intensive livestock industry.
If NZ wants to decarbonise energy, we need to know which renewables deliver the best payback
21 Mar 2025
By Alan Brent and Isabella Pimentel Pincelli | A national energy strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand was meant to be ready at the end of last year. As it stands, we're still waiting for a cohesive, all-encompassing plan to meet the country's energy demand today and in the future.
Why hydrogen cars are being outsold by Ferraris
24 Apr 2025
Hydrogen has long been hyped as the “Swiss army knife” of the energy transition, but today – despite billions in investment – it largely remains limited to niche industrial applications.
Three-year flood map legal dispute ends in win for landowners
Tue 13 May 2025
By Alisha Evans, Local Democracy Reporter | Tauranga property owners have had a “significant win” after the council agreed to update flood maps, a developer says.
Will NZ walk away from the Paris Agreement?
20 Dec 2024
By Geoff Bertram | COMMENT: Unless the government can find very cheap offshore mitigation, the temptation to walk away from its Paris Agreement obligations may well be too strong to resist for a coalition government focused on fiscal austerity.
Trump is illegally trying to overturn state climate laws
Wed 14 May 2025
OPINION: States are stepping up to respond to the rising toll of climate-fueled disasters. More than ten states have introduced climate superfund legislation based on a simple idea: those massive, multinational oil and gas corporations that caused the climate crisis should help pay for the damage.
Govt pledges to slash building emissions
8 May 2025
The government is signing up to an international agreement aimed at decarbonising the building and construction sector in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Carbon News launches price index
24 Jun 2024
Today’s issue is the first to feature Carbon News’ own carbon price index for secondary market spot prices for NZUs on New Zealand’s compliance market.
Abandoned infrastructure one of the biggest polluters in the world – report
8 May 2025
Emissions from abandoned coalmines, oil and gas wells globally are larger than any single country except China, the US and Russia.
Climate-denying farming groups attack govt’s methane strategy
Fri 16 May 2025
A trio of farming groups is claiming that a survey shows 95% of farmers have rejected the government’s methane strategy.
Warm water affecting Antarctica’s largest ice shelf - new research
22 Apr 2025
While Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf is currently stable, new research shows warm water is reaching up to 170 kilometres under the front of the ice shelf.
Microplastics found in every layer of the ocean – study
7 May 2025
A new study by New Zealand and international researchers shows microplastics in every layer of the ocean - enough to change the chemical fingerprint of ocean carbon.
Media round-up
9 May 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: When climate resilience meets resident resistance in Auckland; atmospheric and marine heatwaves in and around New Zealand are increasing climate extremes; and seaweed's climate superpowers.
Dismissals 'massive win' for climate movement
Tue 13 May 2025
The outstanding charges against 25 climate activists who disrupted traffic in Wellington have been dropped, a move the group calls a win for the climate movement.
Straterra has a new name: the New Zealand Minerals Council
16 Apr 2025
Media release | Straterra has been renamed as New Zealand Minerals Council, says chief executive Josie Vidal.
Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time
Fri 16 May 2025
For the first time, the growth in China’s clean power generation has caused the nation’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to fall despite rapid power demand growth.
Antarctic expedition unearths clues to climate catastrophe
Thu 15 May 2025
Media release | Rocks from the coldest continent hold clues to an extinction event 183 million years ago.
Green budget 'ludicrous la-la land' – govt
Thu 15 May 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the budget was "clown show economics" and an "absolute circus".
States sue the Trump administration for blocking funds for electric vehicle charging
9 May 2025
Seventeen states are suing President Donald Trump ‘s administration for withholding billions of dollars for building more electric vehicle chargers.
United Nations carbon market rules agreed but concerns remain
25 Nov 2024
New carbon market rules agreed at the fractious UN climate summit will be a relief to New Zealand and Singapore, who were leading the negotiations, but concerns about greenwashing and disadvantaging nature-based solutions remain.
Lawyers move to take Climate Commission to NZ’s top court
1 May 2025
Lawyers for Climate Action has filed a case challenging New Zealand's climate targets in the Supreme Court.
New research tests wastewater carbon capture potential
5 May 2025
Treating wastewater with alkaline minerals could potentially remove more than 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year, according to new research.
Global sea levels rise spelling catastrophe for coastal towns and cities
Wed 14 May 2025
For around 2,000 years, global sea levels varied little. That changed in the 20th century. They started rising and have not stopped since — and the pace is accelerating.
Large fires are burning on the slopes of South Africa's famous Table Mountain
1 May 2025
Helicopters dropped water on large fires burning on the slopes of South Africa's Table Mountain on Tuesday as police investigated whether arson was the cause.
Meridian set to build its first solar farm as Genesis stockpiles coal
2 Apr 2025
Meridian Energy is set to start construction on its 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm south of Whangārei in August 2025, with the project receiving a final investment decision and construction approval from the Meridian Board.
