increase font size
Simon Upton.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton says there is no single way of dealing with agricultural emissions.
“There are many different approaches that could be taken, and bringing agricultural emissions into the ETS is just one option,” he says.
Upton believes the question should be about how best we can mitigate agricultural emissions.
“There is no easy blueprint to follow for reducing them. No single policy will be sufficient. New Zealand must chart a path forward that makes sense of our national circumstances and international commitments, and that is grounded firmly in science,” he told a conference in Wellington today.
The conference, organised by the NZ Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, looks at agriculture and Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Upton told the conference he was working on an in-depth investigation into the treatment of biological sources and sinks across New Zealand’s landscapes, as part of New Zealand’s climate policy.
“As part of that enquiry, I will seek to highlight key issues to consider as an approach is developed.
“It is clear that any debate around alternatives should command a solid scientific basis, and explore the potential consequences of different approaches for a wide range of environmental outcomes and our landscapes. I’m not in a position to share many conclusions at this stage.”
OPINION: In a memo, rich guy Bill Gates didn't become a climate change denier, but he did give the world a dose of common sense, saying we should redirect efforts away from the campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and instead focus on other ways to improve human lives and reduce suffering.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
New research could help farmers prepare for a future where summer rainfall is increasingly unpredictable and where drought risk is rising, no matter what.
A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.
OPINION: We are endlessly told that livestock are responsible for half of New Zealand's total emissions.
Alliance and Dawn Meats have completed their new strategic partnership.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer…
OPINION: The Hound reckons a big problem with focusing too much on the wrong goal - reducing livestock emissions at…
