2 minute read
A ticket to the game
Thought leadership by Farmlands’ Head of Sustainability and Land Use, Katie Vickers
The evidence is clear that we are facing major climate change. The recent release of the Climate Change Commission draft budget report on how New Zealand is to achieve a low carbon economy is indicative of this. Achieving a low carbon economy is something that we need to care about so that New Zealand farmers and growers can maintain the global recognition we have for our farming practices — we responsibly produce some of best food and fibre in the world and want to keep it that way. As we know more, we must do more. With increased science and consumer knowledge around biogenic methane, carbon sequestration and fossil fuel use, we must continue to use our learnings to develop new systems that best support our future generations and help us meet the consumers’ requirements. Farmlands has a duty of care to support our shareholders with these developments and assist in helping farmers and growers understand what it all means. As part of global efforts to combat climate change, New Zealand has committed, as part of the Paris Agreement, to join other countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The agriculture sector has specific farm emission reduction targets within this.
The Government has mandated some clear primary sector climate change commitments that our farmers and growers need to meet:
• By December 2021, a quarter of all
New Zealand farms must know their annual greenhouse gas number. • This will rise to 100 percent of farms required by December 2022. • By January 2025, all farms must also have an integrated Farm
Environment Plan that incorporates emissions reductions, emissions offsets and climate adaptation and be using an agreed accounting system for reporting their emissions.
Is there support available to help meet these commitments?
Yes, absolutely. He Waka Eke Noa is a partnership between industry bodies, Māori and Government and has been developed to help equip farmers and growers with knowledge, tools and support to report, manage and reduce emissions on farm. Farmlands is actively seeking out support systems that will work best for our farmers and growers. By proposing a partnership approach instead of regulating agricultural emissions under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), He Waka Eke Noa ensures the best interests of the farmers are considered first and foremost. Under the He Waka Eke Noa programme, the primary sector, Māori and the Government are collaborating on ways to reduce emissions through farm planning and developing a pricing mechanism suited to agribusiness.
| Katie Vickers, Head of Sustainability and Land Use.
Farmer reference groups are also actively working within the programme. This is a ticket to the game for New Zealand. As a country that relies heavily on our export market, He Waka Eke Noa will help to strengthen our trade access in the future — it is important we support and understand our part to play in this programme. Farmlands is committed to joining the combined effort to help our shareholders shape this future. We are here to support you as you continue to grow great things.
