Building climate resilience for NZ

AgResearch scientists have floated the concept of these `living labs’ or regional hubs – similar to climate initiatives undertaken in other like-minded countries – that could serve as models for farming in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is adapted to the changing climate conditions.

The concept has emerged as one potential approach in a strategic look at New Zealand’s efforts to achieve climate resilience. The process saw scientists engage with numerous organisations and experts across industry, government and interest groups.

“The strategy discussions we’ve had over the last couple of years with the various sectors have been incredibly useful in identifying and agreeing the key challenges and opportunities for building climate resilience,” says AgResearch principal scientist Cecile de Klein.

“The theme that has come through most clearly from these discussions is the need to ensure whatever we do to build resilience is integrated across the sectors and communities. For us as scientists, that means being alongside farmers and industries to understand the issues they face as they change the way they operate, as well as meeting government expectations through policy and the needs of communities that are affected by a changing climate.”

On the living labs/regional hubs scenario, the scientists envisage a user-centric approach that recognises there is no single solution, and different opportunities in different regions.

Sites could act as bases to test, validate and refine complex climate solutions in a real-life context, while ensuring the work is grounded in the science and incorporates mātauranga Māori (knowledge) and Te Ao Māori principles.

A farm systems approach where there is not one solution, but a comprehensive mix of solutions, aligns with the philosophy of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), which is underpinned by a holistic world view of the whenua and people. Mātauranga Māori is a knowledge system which at its core refers to the interdependent relationship of people and the whenua including intimate knowledge of ecosystems, flora and fauna, intergenerational connections to whenua through whakapapa and above all the responsibilities of people as kaitiaki to respect the whenua. All are seen as essential underlying components that help to unlock the potential of people with respect to the whenua.

The scientists see opportunity for collaborating with living lab or regional hub programmes that operate in countries such as Australia and Canada.

The Canadian Living Laboratories Initiative brings together farmers, scientists, and other collaborators in a nationwide network to develop and test innovative practices and technologies to address environmental issues, including mitigating and adapting to climate change. A core principle is a focus on farmers’ needs: “Farmers not only test the proposed innovations, they contribute knowledge and experience to their development and improvement at every step”.

AgResearch senior scientist Robyn Dynes says New Zealand already has some unique advantages when it comes to building climate resilience. It is a world leader on research that includes greenhouse gas measurement, life cycle assessment of agricultural products, and development of greenhouse gas mitigations such as breeding low methane-emitting livestock.

“What came through clearly in our strategy discussions with those from related sectors is that we need to maintain our strengths in those research areas, but also have an increased focus on adaption to the changing climate and `future-proofing’ as best we can the farming systems that are so important to New Zealand’s economy and social fabric,” Dr Dynes says.             

“We also see scope in increased partnership on important areas like on-farm carbon sequestration, where farmers and industries can potentially make a difference on environmental impacts and potential future costs for their businesses.”