Agriculture emissions calculator released
We have developed an online calculator for farmers, growers, and small-block holders to obtain a quick estimate of their farm’s emissions
The calculator was developed as part of the He Waka Eke Noa – Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership. The partnership between farmers, government and Iwi is working together to implement a framework by 2025 to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and build the agriculture sector’s resilience to climate change. It is also working towards implement a pricing mechanism for on-farm emissions by 2025.
For those in the agriculture sector, knowing about their emissions is the first step in reducing them.
How the calculator works
The calculator uses a very simple approach. It relies on national average default values for emissions factors.
It does not account for livestock and tree ages, and management practices which could reduce or increase emissions such as bought-in feed and manure management.
In addition, the estimate the calculator produces can give users a ballpark estimate of emissions and sequestration on their land, but for more accurate estimates, that include a wider set of management practices, other tools included in the GHG tools and farm planning factsheet [hewakaekenoa.nz] are available.
The tool is especially useful for farms with many different livestock types, some of which are not covered by sector-specific tools.