NZ to become a green technology powerhouse?

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has released a report which suggests New Zealand should focus on producing and exporting technology which will counter green house gases from farming.

The OECD’s Economic Survey of New Zealand, in addition to recommending the introduction of a capital gains tax and raising the retirement age, has stated that “Green growth would be key advantage” and “policies to pursue inclusive economic growth with sound environmental effects are essential to secure New Zealand’s natural advantages in international competition

The announcement was covered by the National Business Review.

An excerpt (read in full here):

OECD suggests world role for NZ in greenhouse gas mitigation

New Zealand should look to become the leading exporter of technology that mitigates greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says.

Agriculture everywhere would face significant challenges in meeting a dramatic rise in world food demand while cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the OECD said in a survey of the New Zealand economy, published today.

It welcomed the Government’s decision to play a leading role in fostering international cooperation in agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation research.

There was a strong case for public assistance for the development of such technologies, given this country’s emissions profile, the OECD report said.

It may still be necessary to amend the law to allow experimentation with new genetic strains of livestock and feeds that could enable lower methane emissions from ruminant animals.

http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/ets-review-2011/index.htmlGreen growth would be a key advantage” for the economy