Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the release of New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory clearly shows agriculture is playing its part in emissions reductions and there is no need for a price on agricultural emissions.
The inventory shows there have been significant reductions by the agriculture sector in the last two years.
Methane emissions from agriculture are now 3.7 percent below 2017 levels, while methane emissions overall (including from waste) are at 4.1 percent below 2017 levels.
B+LNZ forecasts significant further reductions in the next couple of years due to land-use change.
B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland says farmers are well on the way to meeting the current 2030 emissions reduction targets and there is no need for a price on agricultural emissions.
“We’ve been saying for some time that our sector is already pulling its weight. However, we’re still grappling with regulations that are sucking the confidence out of rural New Zealand and we need immediate changes.
“The latest inventory should be a good news story, but a primary driver behind these emissions reductions has been the conversion of productive sheep and beef farms into forestry for carbon offsetting.
“We may be heading towards the current 2030 target, but it’s for the wrong reasons. Reductions are being achieved by a reduction in stock numbers, driven by offsetting – a mechanism that is intended to reduce carbon emissions, but simply allows fossil fuel emitters to continue emitting.”
B+LNZ-commissioned independent research has shown that between 2017 and 2024 more than 260,000 hectares of whole sheep and beef farms were sold for conversion into forestry, primarily for carbon farming.
“For every 100,000 hectares planted close to one million stock units are lost. That means over 2.5 million stock units so far has been taken out of the sector due to afforestation.
“This trend is unsustainable, for our sector and for the wider economy. If it continues we risk losing New Zealand’s iconic farming landscapes and livelihoods.
“While we welcome the Government’s announcement late last year of restrictions on forestry offsets, this will still see afforestation happen, just at a slower pace, and it is unclear going forward whether these measures will be enough.
“Any further reductions in on-farm emissions should come from the use of technologies, further genetic gains and farm systems optimisation – driven by customer demands and not Government regulation.
“We’re seeking clear action from the Government so our farmers can have confidence in New Zealand’s approach and confidence in the future of our sector.
“The current 2050 methane target needs to be revised on the basis of no additional warming and the threat of emissions pricing must be taken off the table.”
ENDS
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