Working with Public and Private Sectors to Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Animal Agriculture

Summary

Agri Zero NZ, formed in 2023, is focused on helping New Zealand farmers reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions by 30% by 2030 and near zero by 2040. With $183 million in funding, they aim to support the adoption of mitigation tools across various farming systems. The initiative includes partnerships with private companies, research institutions, and the government, focusing on advancing technology and streamlining regulatory processes. Investments target early-stage technologies such as methane inhibitors and pasture improvements, and a key challenge is ensuring these tools are practical and incentivizing farmers to adopt them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Agri Zero NZ has an ambitious goal to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions by 30% by 2030 and near zero by 2040 for New Zealand's farming sector.
• 😀 The organization operates as a public-private partnership, with funding from nine private sector companies, including dairy, meat processors, banks, and a fertilizer company, totaling $183 million over four years.
• 😀 Agri Zero NZ is focused on helping farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions through research, technology investments, and streamlining regulatory processes.
• 😀 The organization aims to catalyze funding and support farmers in New Zealand and abroad in their journey to mitigate methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
• 😀 Agri Zero NZ is investing in early-stage technology companies that develop tools suitable for New Zealand's pastoral farming systems, with potential for global applicability.
• 😀 The organization is actively collaborating with international partners to share insights and work together to address the global challenge of emissions reduction in farming.
• 😀 Agri Zero NZ has already made investments in methane and nitrous oxide mitigation technologies, including a methane inhibitor and a pasture technology aimed at improving emissions efficiency.
• 😀 The focus is on practical, scalable solutions for farmers, ensuring that new tools and technologies can be easily adopted by farmers in their systems.
• 😀 By 2030, Agri Zero NZ aims to see at least two or three methane and nitrous oxide mitigation tools in widespread use on farms across New Zealand.
• 😀 Farmers in New Zealand will need incentives, such as productivity improvements or support from customers, to adopt these new tools for emissions reduction, as governmental taxes have been politically challenging.

Q & A

What is Agri Zero NZ's primary goal for reducing agricultural emissions in New Zealand?

Agri Zero NZ aims to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand's farming sector by 30% by 2030 and to near-zero levels by 2040.

Why is the reduction of methane and nitrous oxide emissions such a significant challenge in New Zealand?

This is a major challenge because New Zealand’s agricultural system is predominantly pastoral, and agriculture accounts for 50% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

How is Agri Zero NZ structured in terms of funding and partnerships?

Agri Zero NZ operates as a public-private partnership. Half of its funding comes from nine private sector companies, including dairy companies, meat processors, banks, and a fertilizer company, while the rest comes from public sources.

What are the three main areas of focus for Agri Zero NZ's strategy?

Agri Zero NZ’s strategy is split into three areas: Strategy and Engagement, Ventures Fund, and Catalyst Fund. These areas focus on regulatory advocacy, investing in early-stage technologies, and funding system-wide research and infrastructure.

What types of technologies is Agri Zero NZ focusing on for methane and nitrous oxide mitigation?

Agri Zero NZ is investing in technologies like bolus systems, pasture technology to improve lipid levels, methane inhibitors, and methane vaccine research to reduce emissions in livestock and farming systems.

What is the role of the Ventures Fund in Agri Zero NZ's efforts?

The Ventures Fund invests in early-stage technology companies developing tools specifically designed for New Zealand’s pastoral systems, with the aim of scaling these solutions for wider use.

How does Agri Zero NZ plan to address skepticism among New Zealand farmers regarding emission reduction tools?

Agri Zero NZ is engaging with early adopter farmers to test emission-reducing tools in real-world farming conditions, even if these tools are not yet commercially available, to build trust and demonstrate effectiveness.

What is the significance of regulatory changes in Agri Zero NZ's approach?

Agri Zero NZ is working to streamline New Zealand's regulatory framework to encourage the approval and adoption of emission-reducing technologies, making the process smoother for innovators and farmers alike.

What incentives will New Zealand farmers need to adopt emission reduction technologies?

Farmers will need strong incentives to adopt emission reduction tools. These incentives may come from the processing sector, customers, or consumers, as direct government-imposed taxes on farmers have been politically unfeasible.

How does Agri Zero NZ plan to support the global effort to reduce agricultural emissions?

Agri Zero NZ aims to collaborate with global partners, share knowledge, and adopt best practices to help reduce agricultural emissions not just in New Zealand, but also in other countries with similar farming systems.