Other international engagement

The NZAGRC is recognised internationally for our work on the quantification and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from pastoral farming, and regularly contributes to the global science community.

Working with the IPCC

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body responsible for assessing the science related to climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. Its main objective is to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies. IPCC reports are also a key input into the international climate change negotiations.

Cows in Ghana

Cows in Ghana

The IPCC is an organisation of governments that are members of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC. For its major assessment reports on the latest state of climate science, IPCC scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year. An open and transparent review by experts and governments then ensures an objective and complete assessment that reflects a diverse range of views and expertise.

The NZAGRC has long been involved in the IPCC, contributing to many of its reports on agricultural production and its associated impact on the climate. In recent years, NZAGRC staff have been actively involved in the IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the 2019 refinement of the existing IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, and an IPCC Special Report on climate change and land. Currently, the NZAGRC Director is a Lead Author for the chapter on agriculture in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, due September 2021. Two postdoctoral researchers have been employed to assist with this work. NZAGRC staff have also held formal positions in the IPCC, and regularly coordinate with other New Zealand scientists and government agencies involved in the IPCC’s work.

International knowledge sharing

NZAGRC staff and scientists provide knowledge and guidance to other key international partnerships and panels, such as the Global Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI) and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 funding initiative. Each year, we also attend and deliver presentations to international conferences and workshops.

The NZAGRC also hosts a range of international visitors, including Ministers and Ambassadors from other countries, high-ranking science delegations and farming groups, to showcase New Zealand’s agricultural greenhouse gas research capabilities and expertise.

See also the Global Research Alliance page for information on the international partnerships we maintain and services we are contracted to provide for that initiative.

Our latest Annual Report includes details about our most recent international engagements.