Summarised by Centrist
New Zealand farmers have welcomed the Government’s decision to revise its biogenic methane targets, calling the new goals “sensible” and “grounded in science.”
The updated 2050 target will now require a reduction of 14–24 percent below 2017 levels, a sharp cut from the previous 24–47 percent range set under Labour. The change follows last year’s Independent Methane Science Review, which found the earlier targets went beyond what was needed to achieve “no additional warming.”
Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland said the new approach “better reflects the science around the different warming impact of short- and long-lived gases.” She said methane “should only be asked to do what is expected of other gases, achieve no additional warming.”
Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy called the new targets “sensible and more achievable,” saying they strike the right balance between lowering emissions and maintaining food production. “Importantly, they give our international customers confidence that New Zealand remains committed to doing its part on climate change,” he said.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown said the targets reflect recent scientific reviews led by Professor Dave Frame and Professor Nicola Shadbolt. She noted dairy methane emissions are already down just over 4 percent since 2017, but said “at the top end, 24 percent will be extremely challenging without new mitigation technologies.”
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said the changes were developed in partnership with farmers to ensure climate action does not come at the cost of rural livelihoods. The government also confirmed there will be no tax on agricultural methane, instead favouring industry-led reductions through processor incentives.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the new framework “protects jobs and production while upholding our climate commitments,” and includes a legislated 2040 review to keep the targets aligned with science and key trading partners.
