Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action
Supporting Work Programmes
The Government wants to establish three work programmes to support the activities of the Plan of Action. These will cover:
- research and innovation;
- technology transfer;
- communication and engagement.
1. Research and innovation
Research and innovation, especially involving reduction of methane on farms, is fundamental to addressing the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions in the land management sectors. This was recognised in the almost universal support for research in submissions in response to the discussion document Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action.
The Government has committed itself to spending more than $175 million over the next five years to invest in research into sustainable land management and climate change, as a matter of urgency. This will focus on the development of new technologies and practices for the measurement and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the Plan of Action, a strategic research framework will be developed for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change.
The broad themes have been identified as priorities following consultation, and discussion with research providers:
- impacts of climate change and adaptation;
- mitigation of agricultural and forestry greenhouse gas emissions;
- National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Measurement and Validation;
- cross-cutting issues, including economic analysis, life-cycle analysis, farm catchment systems analysis and social impact.
In collaboration with other countries, New Zealand is also seeking to initiate an international research network focused on greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture. The Government is investing in a research fund to bolster New Zealand’s international leadership position in agriculture and forestry climate change research and help develop the country’s role as a world leader in this field.
A working group will be set up with representatives from the land management sectors, local government and Māori, to refine the Strategic Research Framework and identify priorities for funding. Over the next six months, the working group will coordinate a process with other government agencies, research providers, the agriculture and forestry sectors, Māori, and local government to identify these priorities.
To maintain momentum, immediate research will start on priority areas while the longer-term framework is being developed. The immediate work will include:
- a tree-breeding programme for bioenergy;
- developing and commercialising cost-effective collection systems for bioenergy (wood residue);
- mitigation potential of nitrous oxide technologies, including nitrification inhibitors, stand-off pads and other emission reduction technologies.
2. Technology transfer
The Government has committed to a package of $22 million to invest in technology over the next five years to encourage and accelerate the uptake of new technologies and practices for the measurement and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the Plan of Action, a technology transfer implementation programme will be developed to help encourage the land management sector to roll out and adopt new greenhouse gas emissions mitigation technologies and land management practices. It is proposed that the research and innovation working group also have responsibility for technology transfer.
The technology transfer implementation programme could include:
- coordination of activities within both government programmes and industry;
- communication of information in an understandable, user-friendly manner;
- demonstration of new greenhouse gas emission mitigation technologies and practices through demonstration farms, project activity (including demonstration sites and trials), farm monitoring and field days, and farmer/forester or grower-led technology transfer and extension activities;
- education, capacity-building, including industry training, of organisations that are trusted sources of information for farmers;
- responses that acknowledge the varying needs of regions, sectors and Māori regarding both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
3. Communication and engagement
Feedback from consultation has shown that, if it is to be effective, the Plan of Action needs broad support and understanding from all its partners – the sectors, local government and Māori.
A communications and engagement programme that uses this collaborative approach is being developed and will be discussed with the sectors as part of discussions and negotiations under the Plan of Action.
The programme will:
- deal with issues and concerns about climate change and government policies, as raised during consultation;
- support and coordinate the delivery of seminars and workshops for farmers, growers and foresters and their advisers on sustainable land management and climate change;
- ensure that all partners under the Plan of Action are fully informed on developments in each Pillar and its supporting work programme;
- coordinate and share information with sector organisations on climate change, sustainability, the ETS and Plan of Action initiatives as they develop;
- research and investigate the value of a public education programme to enhance the knowledge and understanding of farmers, growers and foresters and their communities on climate change issues.
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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