The New Zealand Government has recently reduced its national targets for methane emissions reduction by 2050, on the basis of the ‘no additional warming from methane’ principle.
Set in 2019, the previous target range was 24-47% reduction on 2017 levels. The changes are:
- Reset the target for reductions required in biogenic methane emissions by 2050 to 14-24% below 2017 levels.
- Retain the 10% reduction in biogenic methane vs. 2017 levels by 2030.
- Retain the current net zero 2050 target for long-lived gases.
- Defer decisions to set the fourth emissions budget and consider whether to reset the first three emissions budgets to 31 December 2027. These decisions were due to be made before the end of the year.
New Zealand farmers were unhappy with the original 24-47% reduction targets, noting that they were not based on the most accurate way of accounting for methane, acknowledging its effect on warming.
The situation in the UK
In the UK, the government’s net zero 2050 target is the legislation covering GHG emissions reductions. The UK government is also a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge – an international target signed by over 150 countries aiming to reduce methane emissions across the globe by 30% by 2030.
Agricultural emissions in the UK are on a downward trend since 1990 and the NFU continues to push for more clarity and support in reducing methane emissions.
UK producers want to continue to provide nutritional, climate-friendly and affordable food, and to make sure that domestically produced beef and dairy is the sustainable product of choice, both at home and abroad.
NFU advocates for split-gas approach
The NFU recently updated its policy position on methane, calling for a split-gas approach to reporting GHG emissions. This is alongside our existing call for the dual reporting of emissions with GWP100 and a warming metric.
Government, devolved authorities, government agencies, and the wider food supply chain should use a split-gas approach for agriculture, separating methane from long-lived GHGs. This approach aims to help producers understand and reduce emissions on farm, as well as ensure that GHG emissions are calculated as accurately as possible.
The NFU is also joining forces with other national farming unions, including Beef & Lamb New Zealand, calling on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for split-gas approach to be taken up by national governments.
Currently, all GHGs are reported jointly under various domestic and international obligations. The different GHGs are calculated using GWP100 to convert into CO2 equivalents which is not as accurate when measuring the temperature response of short-lived emissions such as methane.
See also: Key information on methane accounting and a split-gas approach
Working for engagement in the GHG National Inventory process
In September, the NFU with the AHDB hosted an industry workshop on the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory bringing together government, GHG data experts and farmers, to better understand how UK emissions are compiled in the inventory and to explore how robust farm activity data can feed into the process.
National inventory data is used by many throughout the industry so it is important that the progress farm businesses are making is recognised.
Improving resilience to climate
GHG emissions are, of course, the cause of climate warming. Farmers and growers are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate with more volatile weather patterns.
The NFU is developing an adaptation programme to help members build resilience. Many of the key themes such as soil health and the circular economy have co-benefits for both reducing emissions and adapting to a changing climate.
