A Fonterra Guide to Climate Change

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Carbon fluxes and Sinks/ha in a grazed pastureNew Zealand dairy (units t C/ha/year)20 tonnesfrom atmosphere as CO 2Gross photosynthesis10 tonnesfrom atmosphere as CO 2Plant respirationNet photosynthesis10 tonneConsumed by cows5 tonnePlant senescence& roots5 tonneCan planting trees in small areas, and along riparian margins, becounted to offset emissions?Trees can only be counted towards the offsetting of emissions, under the current Kyoto rules, if they are in an areagreater than one hectare, which is at least 30 metres wide, and were planted after 1990. Trees will gain carboncredits as they grow; however if they are harvested all of the credit accrued will be lost.Fonterra has been encouraging the Government to retain the flexibility to recognise riparian planting for its carbonabsorbingbenefits. The first Kyoto commitment period (2008 – 2012) is underway, but there is an opportunity forNew Zealand to negotiate for riparian plantings to be included in future international agreements.What is Fonterra doing to support its shareholders in this area?Fonterra is maintaining a close dialogue with the Government on the Emissions Trading Scheme, which will bereviewed before the end of 2011. We are committed to working to ensure that New Zealand’s climate changepolicy is practical, cost effective and well designed for both our farmers and New Zealand as a whole.We will continue to keep you, as shareholders, informed about the climate change debate, ways of reducinggreenhouse gas emissions and policy decisions as they arise, through articles in Farmlink and on Fencepost, andthrough contact at conferences and other events.What can dairy farmers do to reduce emissions?At present there are few known practical ways of reducing agricultural methane emissions, though we hope the researchwe are helping fund at the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium will come up with some solutions. In themeantime, there are ways of reducing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, many of which will also save money.By following a nutrient budget to work out your fertiliser requirements, you can limit nitrous oxide emissions fromfertiliser as well as saving money.Nitrification inhibitors lower nitrous oxide emissions and reduce nitrate leaching into waterways, and can increasepasture growth. Trials show 30-70 per cent reductions in nitrous oxide production in some regions and under idealconditions. Together with Government and our industry partners we are funding research to find out how effectivenitrification inhibitors are under different soil types and conditions.Energy improvements in the farm dairy can reduce expenditure on electricity as well as cut carbon dioxide emissions.Ways of reducing energy on-farm include:• Optimising milk vat refrigeration• Insulating hot water cylinders• Maintaining milking vacuum pumps.You can find out more about energy savings on-farm on Fencepost.16
For more information contact.Fonterra Co-operative Group LimitedPrivate Bag 92032, AucklandFonterra Centre, 9 Princes StreetAuckland, New ZealandPh 09 374 9000Fax 09 374 9001www.fonterra.comThis booklet is printed usingvegetable inks on FSC mixedsource certified recycled paper.
Page 1 and 2: A Fonterra Guideto Climate ChangeFa
Page 4 and 5: A: CLIMATE CHANGE AND NEW ZEALANDWh
Page 6 and 7: What is the New Zealand Government
Page 8 and 9: AllocationsUnder the ETS, the Gover
Page 10 and 11: How do rules on forestry affect my
Page 12 and 13: • Forestry owners• Clean Develo
Page 14 and 15: • 5 per cent ‘Distribution’,
Page 16 and 17: What factors cause animal emissions

A Fonterra Guide to Climate Change

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