"We support the Bill having provisions for a Climate Change Commission, provided that Commission has the ability to advise on a revised target for emissions budgets and adaptation," Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says.
"Horticulture is concerned about the impacts of the various ‘net zero’ options on emissions prices and on GDP, jobs, incomes, and the health of New Zealanders.
"Growers in the horticulture industry are mostly small to medium sized businesses, with a few larger corporates in some sectors. Therefore, changes in costs can have a dramatic effect on the ability of these businesses to remain profitable and to continue to offer job opportunities to New Zealanders.
"We are of the view that particular attention should be paid to:
- New Zealand’s international competitiveness and the potential for carbon leakage.
- Domestic food supply, the impact of the methods of implementation on the reliable supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to domestic consumers.
- Investment in research to develop alternative technologies and fuels that growers will need to enable viable fruit and vegetable production to continue.
Horticulture New Zealand recommends that New Zealand should meet its domestic emissions reductions (including from new forest planting and horticultural plantings such as orchards, vines, and shelter belts) and use some emissions reductions from overseas, (international carbon units), provided the overseas carbon units have strong environmental safeguards.
"Horticulture New Zealand expects to have continued involvement as the Bill is developed, and it is likely we will make further submissions along the way," Chapman says.