"New Zealand's right-leaning coalition government outlined plans on Sunday to reduce methane emissions by between 14 and 24% by 2050, compared to 2017 levels. The previous target was between 24 and 47%. Farmers who had taken issue with the previous target praised the move, but scientists and opposition parties criticised it as weak and unambitious."
"Greenpeace's New Zealand office said the policy shift amounts to full-blown climate denial. Amanda Larsson, a climate campaigner with the environmental group, said prime minister Christopher Luxon was choosing ... corporate profits over our kids' future. Climate change minister Simon Watts said the government remains committed to our domestic and international climate change commitments, including net zero by 2050. The government also confirmed that it would conduct a legislated review of biogenic methane targets in 2040, and impose no tax on agricultural methane emissions due to the threat of farm closures."
The New Zealand government reduced its biogenic methane reduction goal to 14–24% by 2050 compared with 2017, down from a prior 24–47% range. Farmers who opposed the earlier, stronger target welcomed the change. Scientists and opposition parties described the revised target as weak and unambitious. Environmental campaigners labelled the policy shift climate denial and warned of prioritising corporate profits over future generations. The government pledged NZ$400m for methane-cutting technology, ruled out an agricultural methane tax to avoid farm closures, and scheduled a legislated review of biogenic methane targets in 2040. Officials estimated emissions could fall up to 14% by 2030 if 30% of farmers adopt expected technologies, while experts cautioned that near-term scientific solutions for biogenic methane are not guaranteed.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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