Submission on the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill
26 July 2024
The Bill proposes to prevent the inclusion of agricultural producers from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, which would otherwise have begun in 2025.
Caritas acknowledges the potential environmental benefits of keeping agriculture outside of the NZ ETS. However, we also believe it is unjust and unsustainable to leave agricultural emissions entirely unregulated.
To ensure that capacity to emit is justly distributed for the common good of all in Aotearoa New Zealand, we call on the Government to present a clear plan to regulate agricultural emissions before 2030, so that New Zealand citizens do not disproportionately bear the cost of meeting our binding NDC without agricultural emissions reduction.
To further enhance our agriculture sector’s efficiency, we call for a system that will reward the most efficient producers, to continue promoting innovation and stewardship of our climate.