NZ leads research into greenhouse gas emissions

New Zealand will lead an international network to research greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, according to Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton and Climate Change Minister David Parker.

"This work will reinforce the sustainability of our agriculture and forestry products internationally. The Labour-Progressive government is confident that New Zealand has the talent and the will to be an international leader in the response to climate change," Anderton said.

Parker said the Livestock Emissions and Abatement Research Network (LEARN) will focus strongly on research.

The aim of LEARN is for international researchers to collaborate to better measure greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. The network will also help develop cost-effective and practical means to reduce these emissions. It will focus on sharing information, facilitating discussion and promoting face-to-face contact between researchers around the world.

LEARN proposes to cover research into methane emissions from ruminant livestock, nitrous oxide emissions from grazed grassland, an integrated approach to reducing emissions across an entire farm and a national inventory of agricultural emissions.