Chapter 2 - Terms of Reference and Review Methods
2.1 Terms of Reference
The terms of reference require a critical review of recent and current New Zealand and international research on abatement of ruminant methane emissions and the emission of nitrous oxide from agricultural production systems. The purpose of the review is to identify the best future practical opportunities for abatement of these emissions and the research needed to achieve this objective. A research strategy with prioritisation of research effort is a prerequisite for costing the research to be funded by government and the agricultural sector and developing appropriate institutional arrangements for its management. An extract from the reviewers' terms of reference can be found in Appendix 1.
2.2 The Reviewers
The scientists appointed to undertake the review were:
- John Freney, Honorary Research Fellow, CSIRO Division of Plant Industry. Dr Freney has had a long career in research into the cycling of nitrogen, including the production and emission of nitrous oxide from agricultural systems in Australia, New Zealand and other countries. He has served on a number of international expert panels concerned with the interaction of soil chemicals and the atmosphere.
- Marc Ulyatt, recently retired Senior Scientist with AgResearch Ltd and formerly with DSIR. Dr Ulyatt has a distinguished research career in ruminant digestion and rumen physiology. The first estimate of methane emissions from New Zealand ruminants was based on a model of ruminant digestion and ruminant production developed by Dr Ulyatt and co-workers. He continues to be engaged in refining the parameters of the model.
- Peter O'Hara, formerly Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and Group director of MAF Technology, chairs the Review Team. He is currently Chairman of the National Science Strategy Committee for Possum and Bovine Tuberculosis Control.
2.3 Scope
The scope of the review is limited to the emission of methane from animals as the result of: enteric fermentation; animal manure management; emissions from soils and the burning of crop residues and the release of nitrous oxide from nitrogenous sources in agricultural production systems including soils; animal excreta in animal waste management systems; excreta spread on soils and deposited by grazing animals; nitrogen-fixing plants; and crop residues and indirect emissions from volatilisation and leaching. The review does not include the emission of carbon dioxide from farms, the emission of greenhouse gases from the use of farm machinery, or emissions from downstream agricultural enterprises such as processing plants.
2.4 Review Process
The review has proceeded in three stages.
Stage 1
An initial report prepared by the Review Team sets out a critical review of research, mainly recent and current research based on:
- Published refereed papers
- Conference proceedings and other published material (including technical and policy papers)
- Discussion with scientists
- Information on current research projects
- Relevant published research from Australia and other countries.
The report encompasses:
- Sources and processes for the synthesis and emission of methane, nitrous oxide and linkages between the two.
- Emission levels, including commentary on measurement and models to estimate emission levels.
- Abatement technologies and management systems.
- Potential levels of abatement achievable by these technologies and management methods individually and collectively.
- The integration of abatement technologies and management systems into whole farm management systems or systems that operate on a broader scale.
- The costs of current research, the institutions and people involved and any instutional arrangements.
The report recommends: a framework for a research strategy that includes a definition of the type of research that can be considered as abatement research; and criteria for identifying, considering and prioritising research on emission abatement opportunities.
Stage 2
A Workshop jointly sponsored by Australia (Australian Greenhouse Office) and New Zealand (MAF) provided an opportunity for invited New Zealand, Australian and overrrseas scientists, policy analysts and industry representatives to discuss and debate the opportunities for achieving reductions in the emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.
The objective of the Workshop was to enable the participants to identify:
- The most promising technologies and management systems that will lead to abatement of methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture in the long-term.
- The research needed to enable these technologies/systems to be taken up by farmers and graziers.
- The research needed to integrate the abatement technologies/systems into farming practices, land use decisions and regional or national policy making.
- The means of demonstrating that any adopted strategies are producing the expected abatement outcome.
- The research investment priorities.
- The organisational and institutional arrangements that will facilitate the conduct of the research.
- The opportunities for collaborative research within each country, between Australia and New Zealand, and with other international organisations.
Stage 3
A final report prepared by the Review Team, based on the earlier analysis and the conclusions of the Workshop, develops the framework previously described and recommends a strategy and priorities for future methane and nitrous oxide research. The strategy is intended to enable an assessment of future research costs, the potential to make progress, and the risks associated with the research and the implementation of any technology or system developed.
2.5 Approach
In assessing opportunities for abatement of emissions, the Review Team has taken as a starting point that any technology or system for abatement should allow the farmer or grazier to continue to make his or her management decisions as the market for the products of the farm dictates. Included in that market mix in the future may be a cost of emissions (not planned for the first commitment period).
Should an abatement technology or management system impose a cost of production in order to achieve a return to the nation in terms of reduced emissions, the decision as to where that cost should lie is a policy decision beyond the scope of this review. However, where such trade-off decisions might be taken is flagged in this review.
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