New Zealand’s Methane U-Turn Sparks Outrage

New Zealand’s right-leaning coalition government is facing intense backlash from environmentalists and scientists after it drastically reduced its methane emission reduction targets — a move Greenpeace has slammed as “full-blown climate denial.”

The new plan lowers the 2050 goal to just a 14–24% cut from 2017 levels, down from the previous 24–47% commitment, drawing praise from farmers but condemnation from climate experts who say it undermines global efforts to fight warming.

Agriculture is responsible for nearly half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from its 28 million sheep and cattle, yet the government has also ruled out taxing agricultural methane, citing fears of farm closures.

Officials insist they remain committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and plan to invest NZ$400 million in methane-reducing technologies, though experts warn that such solutions are uncertain.

Critics say the weakened target threatens New Zealand’s “clean and green” international image and risks prioritizing short-term economic interests over long-term planetary survival.