In a joint statement on 12 October, New Zealand’s ministers for Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security outlined changes to the country’s methane emission targets for 2050.
The new target will be set at a range of 14%-24% below 2017 levels by 2050, a substantial reduction from the previous target reduction of range of between 24% and 47%. The ministers said the new levels reflect the finding of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.
The government also confirmed further policy changes alongside the new target including a review of the 2040 biogenic methane target, a promise of no tax on agricultural methane emissions, an undertaking to investigate a split gas target for all of the country’s future international climate change commitments and the recognition of the importance of protecting food production in New Zealand.
The ministers said they were investing NZ$400m(€198m) with industry to speed up the development and roll-out of methane-cutting tools. Simon Watts, Minister for Climate Change said: “It will be up to each farmer, processor and company to decide how best to meet their own commitments, using the tools and innovations that fit their business. Our approach is clear: technology and partnership, not taxes, will deliver the reductions that we need. By investing in new tools and giving farmers practical support, we can cut emissions without cutting production or profitability.”
The announcement was welcomed by the country’s farmers and processors, while environmental organisations and opposition parties condemned the move as weak and unambitious.
See this week’s Irish Famers Journal for more analysis on this move and what it might mean for New Zealand’s trade deal with the EU.
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