NZ eyes more electric cars, fewer cows in plan to be carbon-neutral
Blueprint shows impact of reforms will not be economic burden: PM Ardern
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New Zealand's dairy industry must slash cow numbers under its plan to be carbon neutral by 2050. To reduce methane gas levels, the report by the Climate Change Commission said farmers had to improve animal performance while reducing stock numbers by around 15 per cent from 2018 levels by 2030.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WELLINGTON • New Zealand unveiled a blueprint yesterday to phase out petrol-powered cars while its dairy industry, a key pillar of the economy, must slash cow numbers under the ambitious plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
The changes are among a raft of recommendations presented to the government by the Climate Change Commission on steps New Zealand must take to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.
Commission chairman Rod Carr acknowledged that the advice is ambitious, but said it is realistic and makes a clear case for "immediate and decisive" action.
"As a country, we need transformational and lasting change to meet our targets," he said.
"There are a few actions that are critical to meeting our targets: electric vehicles, accelerated renewable energy generation, climate-friendly farming practices and more permanent forests, predominantly natives."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the document, which will now go out for public consultation, shows that the impact of the reforms would not be an economic burden.
"The cost of action on the economy is not as great as many have previously thought. In fact, action on climate change is an economic opportunity for New Zealand," she said.
"Action on climate change is critical to our ongoing economic success. New Zealand exporters rely on our clean, green brand, and there will be new opportunities for Kiwi businesses as we adapt to a zero-carbon economy."
The commission found that New Zealand's current climate commitments are not compatible with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels, but said change is achievable at little cost.
A switch from fossil fuels would see hundreds lose their jobs in the coal, oil and gas industries, but the commission expected many workers to be re-employed "in the circular economy, development of biofuels and hydrogen, and in deploying and supporting new technologies".
The commission wants to end imports of petrol-powered cars by 2032 and projects that more than half of all light vehicle travel would be in electric vehicles by 2035.
To reduce methane gas levels, the report said farmers need to improve animal performance while reducing stock numbers by around 15 per cent from 2018 levels by 2030.
"If farmers can continue to achieve productivity improvements in line with historic trends, these outcomes could be achieved while maintaining total production at a similar level to today," the report said.
Following the public consultation, the government is due to make a final decision by the end of this year on whether to adopt the measures.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
