Climate Change

What is climate change?

“Climate change” is a phrase we use to describe changing climate patterns that:

  • can be attributed to human activity that alters the earth’s atmosphere;
  • are beyond natural climate variations observed over comparable time periods.

The effects of global warming and climate change are already measurable. New Zealand’s climate is changing, largely because of the build-up in the earth’s atmosphere of greenhouse gases – particularly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

Why we must do something about climate change?

New Zealand is a small trading nation with a strong land management sector as its base. Climate change is going to affect New Zealand’s environment and economy. We will all have to adjust to these changes.

While New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in a global context are small (0.2 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions), on a per-person basis our level of emissions ranks us 12th in the world. Almost 50 percent of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions are made up of methane and nitrous oxide, the two gases most closely associated with farming.

Climate change can be fully addressed only through meaningful international action. If New Zealand is to influence international action and protect its own economic, trade and environmental interests, it needs to be seen to be doing its share in responding to climate change.

Climate change presents considerable challenges to all land owners, and particularly Māori. Taking action to adapt to climate change is vital for our economy and environment.

Government Initiatives on Climate Change

In September 2007, the government released a comprehensive statement on climate change which sets targets for reducing New Zealand greenhouse gas emissions.

The announcements included details of a range of initiatives across all sectors, including a proposed New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and a Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change. The forestry sector will be the first sector to be involved in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Full details can be found at www.climatechange.govt.nz.

Cabinet Paper: 'A New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme: Key Messages and Strategic Issues' and the Regulatory Impact Statement [PDF 2.7MB]

Further information about climate change initiatives related specifically to the land-based sectors can be found below.

Staying Informed

To receive information about sustainable land management and climate change initiatives as it becomes available, please click here to register your interest.

If you have any questions, please email climatechange@maf.govt.nz or phone 0800 climate (254 628).