New Zealand’s government is facing fierce backlash after cutting its methane reduction targets, a move environmental groups called “full-blown climate denial.”
The new plan aims to reduce methane emissions by 14–24% by 2050, compared with 2017 levels — far below the previous target of 24–47%. The decision was celebrated by farmers but condemned by scientists and opposition parties as “weak” and “unambitious.”
Greenpeace New Zealand said the government was prioritising “corporate profits over our kids’ future,” while climate experts warned the move undermines the country’s global reputation for environmental leadership.
Prime minister Christopher Luxon’s coalition will also scrap plans to tax agricultural methane, citing the risk of farm closures, and will invest NZ$400 million (US$230 million) in methane-reduction technologies.
Agriculture produces nearly half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from livestock. Critics, including climate scientist Ralph Sims, said there is no guarantee that new technologies will deliver sufficient cuts in time.
Federated Farmers, however, called the revised targets “long overdue,” saying the previous goals were “absolute madness” that placed unfair pressure on farming families.
