Switching farm vehicles to electric

A world-first partnership to reduce primary sector emissions has been agreed between the Government and farming sector leaders.

It’s expected to encourage electrification of farm vehicles and machinery, such as that provided by Warkworth-based Switch EV Global (SEVG) which designs and makes farm EVs like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

“This plan provides the primary sector with certainty and puts us shoulder-to-shoulder on a path to reduce emissions, with ongoing support to help with the plan such as the $229 million Sustainable Land Use investment,” prime minister Jacinda Ardern says.

“This will reduce emissions by giving farmers the autonomy to plan to do so and reward those who do.”

The five-year joint action plan to develop practical and cost-effective ways to measure and price emissions at the farm level by 2025 includes:

• Improved tools for estimating and benchmarking emissions on farms
• Integrated farm plans that include a climate module
• Investment in research, development and commercialisation
• Increased farm advisory capacity and capability
• Incentives for early adopters
• Recognition of on-farm mitigation such as small plantings, riparian areas and natural cover

In addition, Cabinet has also agreed that in 2022 the independent Climate Change Commission will check in on the progress made and if commitments aren’t being met, the Government can bring the sector into the ETS at processor level before 2025.

Major reforms to the ETS have also been announced to make it fit for purpose, with a cap on industrial energy and transport emissions, and forester incentives simplified.

“This will help keep our planet safe for future generations. With the world changing at break-neck speed, these changes will drive us towards a low emissions country,” climate change minister James Shaw says.

“Changes also align the purpose of the ETS with the Zero Carbon Act and the Paris Agreement, so that New Zealand doing its bit to limit global warming to 1.5C.”

Government actions on climate change so far include the Zero Carbon Bill aimed at getting New Zealand to zero net emissions by 2050, making clean and electric cars more available through a proposed Clean Car plan which includes a feebate and emissions standards, stopping the permitting of new offshore oil and gas exploration, setting up a $100 million green investment fund and making renewable energy like windfarms and solar easier to build.