Fonterra's New Roadmap Targets Climate, Nature, Animals
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
Submissions made to the proposed Zero Carbon Bill support a path to a low emissions economy by 2050, says Climate Change Minister James Shaw.
He says there is also “nearly universal support” for an independent Climate Change Commission to advise on and monitor New Zealand’s progress towards emissions reduction goals.
“The vast majority of respondents want New Zealand to do everything we can to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, and offset the remainder, to reach ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2050.,” says Shaw.
The Ministry for the Environment has released a summary of the 15000 submissions made during consultation on the proposed Zero Carbon
Shaw notes that there was a strong representation from people and businesses who, whilst supporting the overall direction, expressed caution about the speed and scale of the transition and the pressure it will put their sectors under.
“We have to ensure that those concerns are heard and included as we put together the final shape of the Zero Carbon Bill. We need to take everyone with us and leave no one behind.
“These 15,009 submissions will combine with the advice we have received from the Productivity Commission, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Māori interests, and consultation with other political parties to help us finalise the draft Zero Carbon Bill that will be introduced to Parliament next year,” Shaw said.
He thanked all submitters and the Ministry for the Environment for its work in coordinating the Zero Carbon Bill consultation process.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.

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