20 March 2008
Media Statement

Climate change research grants made

More than $5 million is to be allocated to fund the first tranche of research proposals through the Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton said today.

More than 80 proposals totalling $12 million were received, nearly two and a half times the funding available, he said. Of these, 45 proposals from 25 organisations were successful.

Jim Anderton said the successful bids focus on research to help the land-based sectors both to reduce their impact on climate change – known as mitigation - and build the capability and resilience of the agricultural and forestry sectors to adapt to a changing climate.

“A range of innovative new ideas on mitigation technologies are to be funded in the research proposals.”

He said other research proposals aimed to develop capability and infrastructure within the agriculture, forestry and horticulture sectors.

“They will equip the sectors with a range of measurement, monitoring and assessment tools to assist them in managing greenhouse gas emissions. Projects funded through the Sustainable Farming Fund-Climate Change portfolio directly involve farmers in work that will make them better prepared for the effects of climate change.”

Jim Anderton said this comprehensive set of projects placed climate change research for the land sectors in a good position going forward.

“It also complements the research jointly funded by the agricultural industry and the Government through the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium.”

He said the Government had been committed to helping the pastoral sector reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and had funded millions of dollars of research for years as part of that commitment.

“This latest allocation of funding continues that commitment, and will ensure that the land-based sectors, which are so important to us in New Zealand, are well-placed to cope with the requirements of the international trading system.”

Jim Anderton said some of the proposals funded in today’s announcement would also be able to provide information for our international negotiations post 2012 as well as support co-operative international research with Australia.

ends

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