Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Plan of Action
In addition to the Emissions Trading Scheme, the Government, after consultation with key stakeholders, has developed wider Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action.
Much of the New Zealand economy is based on agriculture and forestry, with nearly half New Zealand's land area is used for primary production. These sectors are vulnerable to changes in the world's climate, both environmentally and economically.
In early 2007, the Government consulted with the land-based sectors on its intention to develop and implement climate change policies through a single sustainable land management and climate change Plan of Action, to be created and implemented jointly with the sectors. This partnership was strongly endorsed by stakeholders, particularly sector and industry leaders.
The Government will continue to develop key elements of this Plan of Action in partnership with industry sectors, local government and Māori.
The Plan of Action will cover adaptation to climate change, mitigation of climate change additional to the ETS and business opportunities arising from climate change. Research, technology transfer and communications will also be covered.
The Government is investing more than $175 million over five years in a range of programmes (as outlined in the Investment Sheets below).
To ensure the Plan of Action is effective, a Peak Group will be established to provide a sounding board and strategic direction on its overall development while technical working groups will provide practical advice and co-ordinate joint implementation of the measures proposed.
- Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Plan of Action
- Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Investment Sheets
- Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Questions and Answers
Research Grants
- Climate change research grants
More than $5 million has been allocated to fund the first tranche of research proposals through the Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
- Climate change national greenhouse gas inventory research grants
More than $1 million has been allocated to fund the first tranche of national greenhouse gas inventory proposals received in response to a request for proposals through the Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change.
Background Reports and Analysis
- The EcoClimate Report: Climate change and agricultural production
New Zealands climate is likely to change over this century in response to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. We need to know how those changes will affect land managers and primary production systems. A report is now available that takes that first step in understanding the effect on agricultural production: Costs and Benefits of Climate Change and Adaptation to Climate Change in New Zealand: Agriculture: What do we know so far?
- Climate Change Policy: Measures to address - Agriculture Sector GHG Emissions - Bruce White Report
This report, commissioned by MAF, assesses a selected range of policy instruments for mitigation of greenhouse gases in agriculture.
These include:- Government pricing of emissions
- Cap and trade models
- Offset Schemes
- Mandatory emission standards
- Voluntary emission reduction and reporting programmes
- Extension activities
- Agricultural sector research and development.
The report was produced by Bruce White, former economist at the Reserve Bank.
Download the full report as a PDF [845KB PDF]
- Developing revised emission factors for nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural pasture treated with nitrification inhibitors
This report reviews domestic and international literature to determine the effectiveness of nitrification inhibitors on New Zealand pastures in reducing N2O emissions. In particular, it develops revised emission factors used to determine rates of emissions and leaching. As part of agreements with fertiliser companies the results of confidential industry research are not included in this report.
Download the full report as a PDF [970KB PDF]
- Voluntary greenhouse gas reporting - Feasibility study
Voluntary greenhouse gas reporting was identified in the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change discussion document as a method through which farmers could estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and report them to a central registry. Such a system would provide farmers with a tool to identify and track emissions, and to record and verify emissions reductions. MAF commissioned an in-depth feasibility study of a VGGR system, and preparation of a business case for the system. This included advice on the likely use of the VGGR for farmers, incentives for uptake, and optimal system design.
It should be noted that:- The report was commissioned to assist the development of policy advice;
- MAF has not accepted all the recommendations in the report;
- MAF is committed to the role and ongoing development of Overseer.
Contact for Enquiries
Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
MAF
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 CLIMATE (254 628)
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