Re: Farmers welcome emissions bill (July 17), the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) for the Wellington region does not set up a GHG consenting regime for farmers. The RPS includes aspirational greenhouse gas reduction targets that seek to ensure the management, use and protection of natural and physical resources in the region contribute to 2030 and 2050 regional GHG emission targets – these are not limits nor intended as an allocation regime between different sectors. 

The climate change provisions work to support the Wellington region to transform over time into a low-emission and climate-resilient region, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the resilience of communities and nature to the effects of climate change. 

A focus for the agriculture sector is the development of a targeted climate change extension programme to actively promote and support changes to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and increase rural land use resilience to climate change. This will leverage off existing rural networks and work programmes, such as the riparian and erosion programmes and development of farm plans. 

While central government is taking the lead on policy/pricing to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, the RPS includes complementary policies, setting a baseline expectation that changes in land use or management practices should avoid an increase in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and that these should be reduced where practicable. 

The final recommended provisions to the RPS will be presented for discussion at a council workshop on September 5, with final signoff of the RPS Change 1 document at the September 26 council meeting. 

Lian Butcher, Greater Wellington environment group manager