Hot air and methane targets

Nau mai, haere mai.

New Zealand is unusual among developed countries in that belching farm animals produce more than 40% of our greenhouse gas emissions, in the form of the potent but short-lived methane.

When parliament passed the Zero Carbon Act six years ago, with historic cross-party support, it committed the country to bringing long-lived gases such as carbon dioxide to net zero and cutting methane emissions by 24-47% below 2017 levels by mid-century.

Now the government is saying the current range is “unrealistic” and it has decided to weaken the target to 14-24%. It has adopted an idea promoted by agricultural lobby groups that it is sufficient to keep methane’s contribution to warming steady at the current level rather than bringing it down.

As James Renwick writes, the decision is a major backward step that will either lead to more warming or force other sectors to make steeper cuts.

It also goes against the goal of keeping warming at 1.5°C, entrenched in New Zealand’s law and recently upheld by a landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice, which found even countries that leave the Paris Agreement are not exempt from international legal requirements to act in a manner consistent with that ambition.

The government announced its decision as hundreds of people were gathering for a major international conference on climate adaptation in Christchurch. “We can currently adapt to climate change pressures, in most places, most of the time. But every tenth of a degree of warming makes that adaptation harder, and at some point we will no longer be able to do so,” Renwick writes.

Veronika Meduna

Science, Health + Environment New Zealand Editor

A ‘lack of ambition’ over livestock emissions targets now threatens NZ’s reputation and trade

James Renwick, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

The government’s weakened methane reduction target mirrors the approach promoted by industry lobby groups but rejected by the Climate Change Commission.

Savvy politicians know how to ‘perform’ authenticity – the Jacinda Ardern doco offers a masterclass

Susan Fountaine, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

The award-winning documentary Prime Minister showcases a politician capable of blending the ordinary and extraordinary – a key to success on both the left and right.

Reform of NZ’s protected lands is overdue – but the public should decide about economic activities

Valentina Dinica, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

Changes to New Zealand’s conservation laws could delist up to 60% of protected areas. There are better ways to balance ecological values with economic gains.

New research challenges the idea of a ‘vicious cycle’ between psychological distress and conspiracy beliefs

Nick Fox, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Matt Williams, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Stephen Hill, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

One prominent theory says conspiracy beliefs are triggered by elevated distress. But a new study finds limited evidence to support this claim.

A landmark conviction for war crimes in Sudan shows the wheels of global justice do turn – albeit slowly

Myra Williamson, Auckland University of Technology

It has taken over 20 years, and the ICC is under intense pressure, but this week’s conviction of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman is a major win for international law.

Why does NZ’s new energy plan sideline renewables and ignore progress made already?

Barry Barton, University of Waikato

The government’s energy package is unnecessarily preoccupied with fossil fuels and ignores important reform work already underway.

NZ’s native lizards are at risk from land development – future policy must ensure better protection

Christopher K. Woolley, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Catherine Iorns, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Jono Sylvester, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Nicola Jane Nelson, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

All but four of New Zealand’s 120 lizard species are threatened or at risk. But little consideration is given to lizards during most land development projects.

Protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf nearly triple under a new law – but it comes with a catch

Conrad Pilditch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Simon Francis Thrush, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

An exception for commercial ring-net fishing in some protected areas of the Hauraki Gulf means they don’t count towards the global goal of protecting 30% by 2030.