{"id":49487,"date":"2021-09-23T08:08:29","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T20:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=49487"},"modified":"2024-07-12T11:48:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T23:48:12","slug":"climate-commission-ignored-climate-benefits-of-cutting-synthetic-nitrogen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/climate-commission-ignored-climate-benefits-of-cutting-synthetic-nitrogen\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Commission ignored climate benefits of cutting synthetic nitrogen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A hidden report<\/a> uncovered by Greenpeace shows that the Climate Change Commission ignored its own internal advice that could cut agricultural climate emissions by a third or more.<\/p>\n\n

The internal Climate Commission report, titled \u2018Eliminating synthetic nitrogen fertiliser on dairy farms<\/a>\u2019, shows New Zealand could achieve significant greenhouse gas emission reductions simply by eliminating synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. However, the Commission ignored its own advice when putting together its final climate recommendations, which are now being considered by Parliament.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace lead agriculture campaigner Christine Rose says the report clearly laid out evidence proving the emissions reduction benefits of removing synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cMy question is why did the Climate Commission ignore its own internal report on the benefits of cutting out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser? Why did it prioritise the short term maximising of milk production ahead of cutting greenhouse emissions – the exact opposite of what it was supposed to do. Who does it work for: the people of New Zealand or Fonterra?\u201d says Rose.<\/p>\n\n

Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser has enabled dairy intensification in many parts of the country, leading to increased methane emissions from more cows. It is a direct source of nitrous oxide – a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. <\/p>\n\n

Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser also contributes to nitrate contamination in freshwater and groundwater, leading to health concerns and degradation of rivers and lakes.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThis report, prepared by Climate Commission staff and not released publicly before today, shows clearly how phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser can cut climate pollution – and yet there was no mention of this mechanism in the Commission\u2019s recommendations,\u201d says Rose. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWhen applied to land, synthetic nitrogen fertiliser emits more climate pollution than all of New Zealand\u2019s pre-Covid domestic flights. Cutting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser directly stems the flow of nitrous oxide, while shifting from reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser to organic systems can cut significantly cut methane.\u201d

The report quoted a study by Journeaux et al (2020) who found potential emissions reductions of between 10-31% from eliminating synthetic nitrogen, depending on the region.<\/p>\n\n

The report also reflected on price premiums attached to organic dairy products which could offset reduced production volumes from reduced herd sizes from less synthetic fertiliser use.<\/p>\n\n

The report said \u2018there seems to be robust evidence to support the intuitive notion that eliminating synthetic nitrogen use would reduce agricultural emissions. Eliminating synthetic fertiliser could also have significant co-benefits.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n

However, in its final recommendations to Parliament, the Commission backed away from its own internal report and did not advocate for phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. In fact, it went so far as to undermine the evidence reported on in its own internal paper. The Commission said only \u2018We reviewed the limited evidence available on the potential emissions reductions impacts of phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser on dairy farms,\u2019 and recommended the Government work on pricing mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n

The Commission\u2019s final report noted its consideration of input controls, such as restrictions on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, and its doubts about on-farm methods to reduce climate pollution, but ultimately rejected fertiliser controls in favour of unproven on-farm methods. <\/p>\n\n

Rose says it\u2019s extremely disappointing that the Climate Change Commission has buried its head in the sand on the issue of cutting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, despite significant climate benefits. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Commission has prioritised short-term milk production maximisation ahead of a stable climate. This is the exact opposite of what it was supposed to do. We hope the Government has more sense,\u201d says Rose. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe climate crisis is already here. We\u2019re already feeling the effects of more frequent and intense droughts, storms and floods. If we\u2019re to stem the flow of climate pollution, Ardern\u2019s Government must cut synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, lower cow stocking rates and support farmers to shift to regenerative organic farming.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

ENDS<\/p>\n\n

Read the Climate Commission’s report here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Notes:<\/em><\/p>\n\n

The report quoted:<\/em><\/p>\n\n