Climate change advocacy
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5 min read
DairyNZ is advocating for fair climate policy, based on robust science. We also seek regulatory settings that enable easy adoption of practical, low-cost greenhouse gas technologies as they become available.
What is DairyNZ doing?
DairyNZ is committed to dairy farming playing its part in transitioning to a low-emissions economy alongside the rest of New Zealand. We advocate for fair and scientifically robust climate policy, including emissions reduction targets that account for the warming impact of methane.
We welcomed the Government's October 2025 decision to adopt a more practical biogenic methane target of 14-24%. This aligns with our view that New Zealand’s climate change targets should reflect the latest science, the mitigation technologies and tools available to farmers, and the economic, social, and cultural impacts.
For more information, see our Climate change legislation page.
We are active in other climate policy areas too, including advocating to have agriculture removed from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme; contributing technical expertise to MPI’s development of a nationally consistent greenhouse gas calculation methodology; and providing feedback to the Ministry of Regulation review of agricultural products. For more on these and other DairyNZ advocacy, check out the submissions below.
Submissions
DairyNZ feedback on the Proposed Amendments to ACVM Regulations 2011
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263 KB
DairyNZ appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the review of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (Exemptions and Prohibited Substances) Regulations 2011 (ACVM).
DairyNZ evidence to the Climate Change Commission on National Climate Change Risk Assessment
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Submission
229 KB
Our evidence provides insights into the risks and opportunities a changing climate presents for New Zealand's dairy sector.
DairyNZ submission to MfE - Consultation: Aotearoa New Zealand's 2035 international climate change target
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Submission
219 KB
DairyNZ submission on the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review
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Submission
264 KB
DairyNZ submission to the Ministry for the Environment on the Second Emissions Reduction Plan
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Submission
321 KB
DairyNZ submission to the Primary Production Committee on the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill
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Submission
253 KB
DairyNZ submission to the Climate Change Commission on fourth emissions budget period; international shipping and aviation emissions; and review of 2050 emissions reduction target
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Submission
358 KB
DairyNZ submission on Biodiversity Credit consultation Nov 2023
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Submission
846 KB
Joint letter to Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on Target Review Oct 2023
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Submission
218 KB
Joint submission to Climate Change Commission on Target Review Sept 2023
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Submission
6.8 MB
DairyNZ Submission on the deferral of NZ ETS reporting obligations for animals – farmer activities (5 September 2023)
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Submission
324 KB
DairyNZ supports the deferral of farm-level obligations for the NZ ETS reporting. Deferral would allow the sector and Government to continue working in partnership to create an equitable and workable system for managing agricultural emissions.
DairyNZ submisssion on ETS Review August 2023
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Submission
236 KB
DairyNZ Submission on the Review of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
Submission on Climate Change Commission on second Emissions Reduction Plan June 2023
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Submission
204 KB
DairyNZ welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission (the Commission) preparation of advice to the Government on the direction of policy for the second Emissions Reduction Plan.
DairyNZ submission on Government's Agricultural Pricing Proposal (November 2022)
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Submission
857 KB
DairyNZ submission on the governments proposal to price agricultural emissions during the Nov 2022 consultation period
DairyNZ submission on Managing exotic afforestation incentives (April 2022)
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Submission
302 KB
DairyNZ submission to MPI on managing exotic afforestation incentives consultation in April 2022.
Joint Chairs letter to Ministers regarding fully adopting a split gas approach to monitoring and reporting on the warming impacts of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and associated Nature article (April 2022).
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Submission
198 KB
Industry letter to Ministers to adopt a split gas approach when monitoring and reporting New Zealands emissions.
He Waka Eke Noa, Agricultural Emissions and COP26 - Joint letter to ministers (19 October 2021)
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Submission
244 KB
Industry letter to Ministers before COP26 to reiterate the ag sectors efforts addressing agricultural emissions and commitment to the Paris agreement.
Submission to the ministry of foreign affairs and trade: Consultation on New Zealand’s approach to the 2021 international climate change negotiations (30 August 2021)
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Submission
370 KB
DairyNZ submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding stakeholder views on outcomes for COP26 in Glasgow, November 2021.
DairyNZ Submission: Draft advice on the second emissions reduction plan
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Submission
208kb
DairyNZ welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission (the Commission) preparation of advice to the Government on the direction of policy for the second Emissions Reduction Plan.
Nature article on split gas approach to measuring and reporting
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Submission
1mb
Indicate separate contributions of long-lived and short-lived greenhouse gases in emission targets
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