Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change
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Human activity is causing unprecedented changes to the climate. These changes are being experienced now in the form of extreme climatic events; however, the effects are set to intensify and cause other catastrophic flow-on effects such as sea level rise and loss of biodiversity.
Nearly half of Aotearoa New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. The main source of agriculture emissions is methane from livestock digestive systems. It makes up almost three quarters of our agriculture emissions. Our next largest source is nitrous oxide from nitrogen added to soils, followed by manure management.
He Waka Eke Noa - Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership will support farmers and growers to protect, restore and sustain our environment and to enhance our well-being and that of future generations.
They are working together to implement a framework by 2025 to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and build the agriculture sector's resilience to climate change.
Through this framework, farmers and growers will be empowered to measure, manage and reduce on-farm emissions; recognise, maintain or increase integrated sequestration on farms; and adapt to a changing climate.
The framework will include incentivising farmers and growers to take action through an appropriate pricing mechanism by 2025, in line with legislation.
This work enables sustainable food and fibre production for future generations and competitiveness in international markets.
See NZARMs conference talk with Kelly Forster:
Calculate your agricultural emissions
MfE has developed a simple calculator for estimated GHG emissions on farm.
GHG Calculator and Action Plan
There is also a calculator developed by Beef + Lamb NZ designed to help farmers measure on-farm GHG emissions and sequestration.