Agriculture
The agriculture sector is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand. Emissions from the sector mainly consist of methane from livestock, and nitrous oxide from animal excrement and the use of nitrogen fertiliser.
The government has established an agriculture technical advisory group to advise it on the aspects of the emissions trading scheme that relate to this sector, including the question of where to place the point of obligation. The group is made up of representatives from a range of organisations across the sector and is due to release its final report in October 2008.
The agricultural sector will be the last sector to enter the emissions trading scheme. Participants will be required to surrender emission units for all emissions that occur on or after 1 January 2013. The first due date they must surrender units by is 30 April 2014 for the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013.
Under the government's new partnership programme with the agriculture and forestry sectors (called the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action) there will also be the option of cash grants to encourage new planting by land owners. Other initiatives under the Plan of Action will complement the emissions trading scheme, and include more research and technology transfer. For example the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is encouraging more use of wood products, and bioenergy.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has more information on agriculture and emissions trading and more information on sustainable land management.
Last updated: 14 October 2009
