5 November 2009
Media Statement

Don’t delay ag’s entry into ETS – new survey

A major new international study shows that Government proposals to delay the entry date of agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) should not proceed, the Labour Party says.

NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York has just published research that shows methane’s impact on global temperatures is about a third higher than generally thought. Previous estimates have not accounted for its interaction with airborne particles called aerosolsmethane. The upshot is that one tonne of methane has about 33 times as much effect on the climate over 100 years as a tonne of carbon dioxide, rather than 25 times as in standard estimates.

The study has led NASA to conclude that “substantial reductions in methane, carbon monoxide and black carbon (are) the way to make a big difference" to greenhouse gas emissions.

Half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. Of that 50 per cent, 70 per cent is methane.

"The study is of major importance to New Zealand. It shows that methane is a much more significant greenhouse gas than previously thought," says Labour's climate change spokesperson Charles Chauvel.

“Labour recognises farmers’ concerns over the impact of climate changes policies but even Trade Minister Tim Groser warned them yesterday of the risk of consumer flight from New Zealand food exports on environmental grounds if nothing is done.

"Pressure will come on at the Copenhagen Conference in December for methane emitting countries to show that they are taking steps to reduce methane emissions. New Zealand, as the only major developed country with an emissions profile dominated by agriculture, will really feel this."

"Legislating to delay agriculture's entry into the ETS by two years until 1 January 2015 is not showing a serious commitment, and could lead other countries to take a dim view of New Zealand's requests for concessions in other areas, like the treatment of forestry."

"The Government needs to get the Treasury and the Ministry for the Environment to look at this research urgently,” Charles Chauvel says.

“National should also urgently redirect its funding priorities towards research to assist to lower methane emissions from farm animals. The NASA study is further evidence that such research is vital to New Zealand's economic future.

"Apart from the need not to delay the entry date for agriculture, it is likely to mean that our climate change liability costs are significantly underestimated. This means there is no room for the super generous subisdies to polluters contained in National's changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme.”

"National’s proposed changes need a significant rethink in light of this research,” Charles Chauvel says.

The Times has carried a summary of the study at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/earth-environment/article6895907.ece

ENDS