New Zealand proposes taxing emissions produced by farm animals

The government said the agricultural tax would be the first in the world and that farmers could recoup the cost by “charging more for environmentally friendly products”.

Emissions created by the digestive systems of New Zealand's 6,3 million cows are among the country's biggest environmental problemssystem. (The Guardian*)

Importance of agriculture

New Zealand's agricultural industry is vital to its economy. There are only 5 million people in New Zealand, but around 10 million beef and dairy cattle and 26 million sheep.

Almost half of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture – mainly methane.

However, emissions from livestock farming had not previously been included in New Zealand's carbon trading scheme - which has been criticized by campaigners calling for more to tackle carbon emissions. global warming.

To proposal

Under the proposal, livestock farmers will have to pay for their emissions starting in 2025. The plan also includes incentives for farmers who reduce emissions through feed additives, and planting trees on farms can be used to offset emissions.

Methane and the environment

Methane is the second most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2), responsible for a third of current warming attributed to human activities. Each molecule of methane has a more powerful warming effect on the atmosphere than each molecule of CO2, according to scientists.

Methane production is part of the normal digestive process in animals. Methane is released both through ruminant belching, around 87% of emissions, and through the anus, the “fart”, corresponding to just 13% of the total released.

At last year's COP26 environmental conference in Glasgow, the US and the European Union agreed to reduce gas emissions by 30% by 2030. More than 100 countries, including New Zealand, have also joined the initiative.

About 40% of methane comes from natural sources, such as swamps, but the majority comes from a range of human activities, such as agriculture, livestock and even landfills.

(To Estadão Content)

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