Agriculture and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The government has announced "science-based" biogenic methane targets for 2050, which it says will provide exporters with a clear pathway to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and trade competitiveness.
The target would be set at a range of 14-24 percent below 2017 levels by 2050, reflecting the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024, it said on Sunday.
Agriculture and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay said the government had worked closely with industry and accepted a range of advice to determine a "practical target".
"Today we're delivering a practical, fair pathway that recognises New Zealand agriculture efficiency, protects jobs and production, and upholds our climate commitments," McClay said.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the government remained committed to New Zealand's climate change commitments, "including net zero by 2050.
"Agriculture will continue make an important and fair contribution to achieving this reduction," he said.
In the release, the government confirmed further policy changes alongside the new target.
- A legislated review in 2040 of the biogenic methane target to ensure its alignment with science and against progress of key trading partners
- No tax on agricultural methane emissions as this would risk closing down farms and send jobs and production overseas. Reductions in methane to meet the targets will be achieved in partnership and through industry leadership and
- Processor incentives following the lead of companies like Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms.
- Investigate a split gas target for all of New Zealand's future international climate change commitments.
- Recognise and protect the importance of food production in New Zealand by better aligning domestic legislation with language in the Paris Agreement.
To back the new target, the government was already investing more than $400 million with industry to speed up the development and roll-out of methane-cutting tools, the release said.
The first was expected to be on farms in 2026, with up to 11 available by 2030, it added.
This included innovations like EcoPond, which cuts effluent pond emissions by over 90 percent, alongside advances in genetics, feed and farm management.
"Technology has the potential to deliver emissions reductions, while enabling the sector to grow. It's expected that if 30 percent of farmers take up the technologies expected to be available before 2030, total agricultural emissions could reduce by between 7 to 14 per cent over the next decade. That's on top of any reduction in emissions that may come from efficiency gains on-farm or changes to farm systems," Watts said.
"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.
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