NZ and Germany Launch Partnership to Tackle Global Agricultural Emissions

Agri-DENZ project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing productivity and food security.

New Zealand and Germany have officially launched a collaborative effort to address global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. The partnership, known as the Alliance for the Climate – Dialogue on Climate and Agriculture (Agri-DENZ project), is designed to strengthen cooperation between the two nations in reducing agricultural emissions without sacrificing productivity.

“New Zealand and Germany have a strong history of agricultural cooperation, making us natural partners for this initiative,” said McClay. “The Agri-DENZ project will allow us to combine our resources, expertise, and experience to tackle agricultural emissions on a global scale while boosting production and supporting food security.”

The partnership will initially focus on key areas such as reducing food loss and waste, enhancing soil carbon sequestration, standardizing greenhouse gas accounting methods, and developing strategies at the farm level to mitigate emissions while improving productivity.

Germany’s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “With Agri-DENZ, we demonstrate how international partnerships can equip agriculture for the future. We aim to continue working together to develop innovative solutions for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, drawing on the expertise of scientists, practitioners, and policymakers from both countries.”

The launch of Agri-DENZ marks a milestone for both New Zealand and Germany. McClay underscored the potential of this alliance, stating, “We are proud to partner with Germany on Agri-DENZ. Together, we can make significant advances in emissions-reducing technology, enhance productivity, and strengthen food security, all of which are vital for a robust global agricultural sector.”

As the project progresses, the Agri-DENZ initiative is expected to generate valuable insights and innovations that can be shared with the broader international community, further contributing to the global effort to combat climate change in agriculture.