Context:
Environmental groups in New Zealand have accused the government of “full-blown climate denial” after it reduced national targets for methane emission cuts on October 12, drawing criticism for weakening the country’s climate commitments.
Key Highlights / Details:
- Policy Change:
- The New Zealand government announced a revised methane reduction plan, lowering previous targets set under its climate framework.
- The move affects agricultural methane, primarily emitted by livestock (especially cows and sheep), which account for a large share of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- Environmental Criticism:
- Climate campaigners accused the government of yielding to pressure from the powerful dairy and livestock sector.
- The new policy is viewed as inconsistent with New Zealand’s obligations under the Paris Agreement and its own Zero Carbon Act (2019).
- Scientific Context:
- Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period in trapping heat, though it breaks down faster.
- Agriculture contributes nearly 50% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly through enteric fermentation in ruminant animals.
- Government Justification:
- Officials argued the change aims to balance environmental responsibility with economic realities for farmers and rural communities.
- Global Implication:
- The rollback highlights the global challenge of reconciling agricultural dependence with climate goals, especially in livestock-heavy economies.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Methane (CHâ‚„): A short-lived but high-impact greenhouse gas contributing significantly to global warming.
- Paris Agreement (2015): Legally binding treaty aiming to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C.
- Zero Carbon Act (2019): New Zealand’s national law mandating net-zero emissions by 2050 (excluding biogenic methane).
Relevant Mains Points:
- Climate Governance: The tension between environmental targets and economic interests in policy implementation.
- Agricultural Sustainability: Role of methane reduction technologies (feed additives, breeding, manure management).
- Global Lessons: How developed nations’ climate backtracking undermines international climate solidarity.