Greenhouse Gas emissions threaten our future

The National-led Government believes we must do our fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

That is why we initiated the Global Research Alliance, which was launched last year at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. 

The Alliance includes almost 30 countries, and will drive the much-needed research on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

This research will be particularly useful for New Zealanders, because 48% of our emissions come from our agricultural sector.

The Government has committed $45 million over four years to the Alliance, and $50 million to the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre based in Palmerston North.

The first meeting of participating countries was held in Wellington recently.

It was great to see so many countries from around the world working together to tackle climate change, and I am pleased that India has joined in too.

The Group’s main aim is to figure out how to feed the world’s growing population, and at the same time limit greenhouse gas emissions.

It is estimated that world food production will have to rise by 50% by 2030 to meet increasing demand.

This is a major challenge.

It represents food needed for real people, and it is only 20 years away.

In recent years, food security has been overshadowed by the global economic downturn and international efforts to agree on a climate change framework.

But there is an urgent need to develop technologies and practices to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector, while making sure we have enough food.

The agriculture sector is one of the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters.

A successful outcome on climate change must include limiting agricultural emissions.

This needs to happen while agriculture, as an industry, both adapts to climate change and provides for sustained and substantial increases in food production and availability.

The Global Research Alliance will help to find a solution.

As part of the Alliance, New Zealand will lead livestock research.

Other countries leading research efforts include Japan on rice paddy management, and the US on research into crop management.

The National-led Government believes we have a part to play in tackling climate change.

We are proud to be in the Global Research Alliance, and I look forward to updating you on the developments in the future.

John Key is Prime Minister of New Zealand. The above is exclusive to Indian Newslink.