Reducing Biological Greenhouse Gas Emissions in New Zealand: A Climate Tool Without a Strategy

Abstract

The problem posed by rising agricultural greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most wicked law reform problems facing New Zealand today. Agriculture is New Zealand’s largest sector, and largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, yet remains excluded from any policy mechanism targeted at climate change mitigation. Choosing a legislative response to address these emissions is critically important to New Zealand. However, what is more important is that the country creates a foundation in which a response can flourish and reform can succeed. This paper seeks to link the flaws in the law reform process to a flawed response for addressing biological emissions in New Zealand. By failing to build support and trust with industry, a solid evidence base, or a cross-party, cross-government framework, the government has confused a mechanism with a strategy and become locked into a precedent of inaction. A uniquely New Zealand problem requires a uniquely New Zealand solution that involves starting the process by defining the goal and establishing a strategy and foundation to achieve that goal.