The New Zealand agriculture, land use and forestry sector has been ranked number one out of 25 nations for the way it is getting to grips with climate change issues. Source: Timberbiz
For its just-published Net Zero Readiness Index (NZRI), global consultancy KPMG examined 103 indicators of commitment and performance on decarbonizing in 32 countries, which together are responsible for around three-quarters of global emissions.
It ranked New Zealand’s overall national performance at No 9, with Norway, the UK and Sweden taking out the top three places. But on the agriculture, land use and forestry league table, New Zealand was at No 1, with the report’s authors noting the country’s high levels of forest biomass, low levels of food loss, a comparatively high number of agricultural clean tech companies and the He Waka Eke Noa government and food and fibre sector climate action partnership.
Australia on the other hand ranked much lower than New Zealand, New Zealand topped the ranks in agriculture, land use and forestry while Australia was 21st out of 25 countries a disappointing result especially as China was second and the US third.
“The government and our food and natural fibre product sectors in New Zealand have entered into a climate action partnership, He Waka Eke Noa (we are all in this together), focused on reducing emissions in a sustainable way. The partnership has created the opportunity for the industry to be integrally involved in designing a pathway to achieving the desired zero carbon outcome rather than the traditional approach of government taking regulatory actions in response to current performance,” said Ian Proudfoot Global Head of Agribusiness KPMG in New Zealand in the report.
As far as Australia’s overall ranking, New Zealand was 9th and Australia was 17th out of the countries ranked. When it came to the building sector Sweden topped the rankings with New Zealand 19th and Australia second last in 24th spot.
While New Zealand ranked No 1 for agriculture, land use and forestry in the NZRI’s sector analysis on decarbonization action and preparedness, it didn’t do so well for the four other sectors. For electricity and heat it ranked 6th of 32; for transport 30th; for buildings 19th, and for industry 15th. Australian ranked 20th for transport, 16th for electricity and heat, and 12th for industry.
A full copy of the KPMG report – https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2021/10/net-zero-readiness-index.pdf
