Abstract

Climate change represents a major threat to sustainable agriculture in New Zealand. The sector contributes up to 12 percent of the gross domestic product, and agricultural products comprise 64 percent of the country’s total exports. Whilst the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the economy of New Zealand, it also generates one of the highest environmental impacts with respect to carbon emissions. In September 2008, the New Zealand Parliament passed into law the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). The main purpose of the NZ ETS is for the country to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and combat climate change. It requires all sectors of the economy such as energy and agriculture to comply with the scheme by 2015. The effectiveness of the NZ ETS on both business and society has been criticised due to the economic burden on the New Zealand economy. Nevertheless, various government bodies such as the Ministry of the Environment have argued that the New Zealand clean and green image can be upheld at an international level through the NZ ETS implementation. This article explores the importance of this environmental policy with a special focus on the New Zealand agricultural Value Chain. Key aspects of the NZ ETS such as the costs, risks, opportunities and the role of stakeholders will be examined in order to understand the wider impacts on business and society.