New Zealand accused of taking a “totally Trump” turn on climate policy

Monday 13 October 2025 - 07:00

By: Sahili Aya

New Zealand accused of taking a “totally Trump” turn on climate policy

Environmental groups have condemned the New Zealand government for what they call a “complete denial of climate change”, after it announced a reduction in its methane emissions targets—a move applauded by the agricultural sector but criticized by scientists and activists.

The new plan sets a target to reduce methane emissions by 14–24% by 2050, compared to 2017 levels. The previous goal aimed for a cut between 24% and 47%. According to Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, the right-wing coalition government remains committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, assuring that the agricultural sector will make a “fair and significant contribution” to this effort.

The government also confirmed it would revise its biomethane targets for 2040 and cancel a proposed tax on agricultural methane emissions, citing the risk of farm closures. Instead, it plans to invest 400 million New Zealand dollars (around 198 million euros) in technologies designed to lower methane output. If 30% of farmers adopt these innovations by 2030, total agricultural emissions could fall by 7–14%, according to Watts.

However, experts remain skeptical. Ralph Sims, a climate change specialist at Massey University, warned that there is “no guarantee” that research will provide viable solutions soon. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, largely comes from livestock emissions, particularly from cows and sheep.

For Amanda Larsson, a Greenpeace activist, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is taking a “totally Trump” turn, prioritizing corporate profits over future generations. Jocelyn Turnbull, a researcher at the Earth Sciences New Zealand Institute, added that the move could damage the country’s “clean and green” international image.

Conversely, the Federated Farmers, a powerful agricultural lobby, welcomed the change as “long overdue.” Its president, Wayne Langford, argued that the previous methane targets were “pure madness” and that farming families had been under immense pressure for years.