DairyNZ welcomes Interim Climate Change Committee

“Establishing the Interim Committee is an important step for New Zealand towards becoming a net zero emissions economy,” says Mackle. “DairyNZ supports the formation of this committee and the important work they will undertake for New Zealand.

“It is wonderful to see Dr Jan Wright has been included in the Interim Committee. Her work as the former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment formed the basis for much of the Government’s climate change policy. The dairy sector supported her suggestions, in her previous role, on how best to achieve New Zealand’s climate change commitments.

“There is need for a strong understanding of each of New Zealand’s major sectors – especially across the transport and agricultural sectors who are the two largest emitters. Both Harry Clark and Suzi Kerr have important agricultural experience which will be necessary to this role.

“I am concerned however by the omission of a member with actual farm knowledge. This understanding and experience is vital in order to understand how different mitigations impact on the farm system.

“The expertise present across the members of the Interim Committee will ensure the best decisions are in place to move New Zealand’s economy towards a low emission future.”

The Interim Committee will consider agriculture's role in meeting New Zealand's greenhouse reduction targets and whether agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions should face a price in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

"DairyNZ is committed to assisting our levy payers do their part to address on farm emissions,” says Mackle. “The dairy industry must do its part alongside the wider economy to reduce and offset New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.”