New Zealand researchers are standing over the main conclusions, but correcting individual errors, in a report issued two weeks ago which claimed New Zealand carbon emissions were far better than most other countries.
In the initial report, the claim was that New Zealand carbon figures were almost 60% better than Ireland. However, in the republished report, the New Zealand figure will be about 40% lower (0.77kg v 1.07kg CO2 equivalent per kg of milk) and if the most recent data were used there would be a 30% difference (0.74kg v 0.99kg CO2e per kg of milk), almost half that first published number. While the Irish figure went down, the US figure will rise from 1.09kg to 1.23kg of CO2e per kg of milk.
Two weeks ago DairyNZ and Ag Research published a report, which attempted to represent a country level comparison, suggesting that New Zealand has the lowest carbon footprint with Ireland mid-ranking with a carbon footprint 60% higher than New Zealand (0.77kg and 1.18kg of CO2e per kg of milk).
Teagasc responded to the report contacting the scientists directly suggesting the New Zealand report contained errors, used a mix of methodologies, used old data and failed to recognise and reward recent advances in Irish efficiency.
Responding to questions posed by the Irish Farmers Journal, the New Zealand scientists subsequently said: “Since its release, some details have been challenged, but there has also been positive feedback.
“Recent refinements to the report do not alter the conclusions and core messages, including New Zealand’s positioning relative to other nations. The refinements follow:
The inclusion of this feedback and additional data will not change the report’s main conclusion.The only significant differences are Ireland and the US – the Irish footprint will likely decrease by around 0.1, and the US footprint will likely increase by around 0.1.”Republished
The report has been republished and can be viewed at www.dairynz.co.nz. We also asked why an Irish scientist was called out when releasing the report.
The Ag Research response was: “It is worthwhile noting it is a report, and not a paper. It is peer-reviewed.
“The approach to the report has been rigorous and robust. The mention of an Irish scientist was to provide reassurance an expert outside of New Zealand had provided a peer review, without identifying that person.”
New Zealand researchers are standing over the main conclusions, but correcting individual errors, in a report issued two weeks ago which claimed New Zealand carbon emissions were far better than most other countries.
In the initial report, the claim was that New Zealand carbon figures were almost 60% better than Ireland. However, in the republished report, the New Zealand figure will be about 40% lower (0.77kg v 1.07kg CO2 equivalent per kg of milk) and if the most recent data were used there would be a 30% difference (0.74kg v 0.99kg CO2e per kg of milk), almost half that first published number. While the Irish figure went down, the US figure will rise from 1.09kg to 1.23kg of CO2e per kg of milk.
Two weeks ago DairyNZ and Ag Research published a report, which attempted to represent a country level comparison, suggesting that New Zealand has the lowest carbon footprint with Ireland mid-ranking with a carbon footprint 60% higher than New Zealand (0.77kg and 1.18kg of CO2e per kg of milk).
Teagasc responded to the report contacting the scientists directly suggesting the New Zealand report contained errors, used a mix of methodologies, used old data and failed to recognise and reward recent advances in Irish efficiency.
Responding to questions posed by the Irish Farmers Journal, the New Zealand scientists subsequently said: “Since its release, some details have been challenged, but there has also been positive feedback.
“Recent refinements to the report do not alter the conclusions and core messages, including New Zealand’s positioning relative to other nations. The refinements follow:
The inclusion of this feedback and additional data will not change the report’s main conclusion.The only significant differences are Ireland and the US – the Irish footprint will likely decrease by around 0.1, and the US footprint will likely increase by around 0.1.”Republished
The report has been republished and can be viewed at www.dairynz.co.nz. We also asked why an Irish scientist was called out when releasing the report.
The Ag Research response was: “It is worthwhile noting it is a report, and not a paper. It is peer-reviewed.
“The approach to the report has been rigorous and robust. The mention of an Irish scientist was to provide reassurance an expert outside of New Zealand had provided a peer review, without identifying that person.”
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