SFF Project Summary
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Updated: 24 July 2009
Climate Change: Adaptation of lowland/coastal dairy farming in the Bay of Plenty [2.57M PDF]
Fact sheet: Adapting to a changing climate [139KB PDF]
Project description
This project aims to foster proactive adaptation to climate change in the lowland areas in the Bay of Plenty. It will achieve this by engaging with farmers to identify key opportunities and threats associated with climate change and what adaptation responses might be required.
The issue/opportunity
Lowland areas of the Bay of Plenty will experience distinctive challenges associated with the effects of climate change. This project provides the opportunity for a proactive approach to adaptation through:
- Development of a mutual understanding between farmers and the regional council of key issues and opportunities.
- Helping guide the long-term sustainability of farming by farmers and the sustainable management of regional resources, such as water, by Environment Bay of Plenty.
The context
Farmers in the lowland areas of Kaituna/Maketu, Rangitaiki and Opotiki already face unique climatic challenges. Their location at the coastal margins of water catchments makes them vulnerable to floods, storm events and drought. There is considerable knowledge and experience in dealing with times of adversity, such as the 2004 Rangitaiki flood. The focus on coastal/lowland farmers is recognition of the importance of dairy farming to the Bay of Plenty economy. The local knowledge of farmers will guide practical assessment of the potential risks that may arise with climate change and identification and action on opportunities. This will help guide both local farmers in their on-going and future decisions and Environment Bay of Plenty in the management of resources.
Methods
- Facilitate a series of workshops with small groups (12-20 participants) of farmers.
- Develop an information sheet on climate change and adaptation for dissemination.
- Facilitate a combined workshop and field day on climate change and adaptation to share results of the project and identify next steps that may be required.
- Prepare a report on outcomes and disseminate information through local farmer networks.
Latest update
Three adaptation workshops were held with groups of Bay of Plenty farmers in November 2008. These were held in the Maketu/Kaituna area, Opotiki and Rangitaiki Plains. Presentations on climate change and adaptation were provided by Alan Porteous (NIWA) and Gavin Kenny (Earthwise Consulting Ltd), with questions and discussion.
While the focus of this work is adaptation there were some strong opinions shared on the proposed Emissions Trading Scheme. Discussions and the workshop sessions had to be managed carefully to avoid dominance of this issue.
Workshops sessions involved farmers working in small groups to give feedback on current climate risks and responses to these and future climate risks/opportunities and adaptations that they may make. The small groups provided feedback after each of these sessions.
Information shared by the consultants and the farmers has been condensed into a brief information sheet which is nearly ready for dissemination.
