Westpac NZ and Lincoln University have released research that finds agile farm management will be critical in reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. The Westpac NZ Agribusiness Climate Change Report assesses the risks and opportunities presented by climate change, as well as the sector’s vulnerabilities and potential responses.
According to Westpac NZ Head of Agribusiness, Tim Henshaw, the report and a series of factsheets were designed to provide Westpac customers and other farmers and growers with impartial information about the way climate change may affect their location and type of production, and how they can respond.
“Importantly, the report finds there is already a range of existing management options available to assist farmers in strengthening the physical resilience of their farming systems and meeting New Zealand’s 2030 agriculture climate targets, with only a few requiring an initial investment of capital.
“However, applying these options more widely will require uptake of best practice farm management. This may require a significant uplift in skills and training to ensure a greater number of farmers have sufficient expertise to both reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Therefore upskilling at an individual level, and lifting capability across the wider sector, will be critical.”
Source: miragenews.com