Paris Survey Results.

Sept 2025

Prepared by
NZ FARMING
GROUNDSWELL NZ
METHANE SCIENCE ACCORD

With 2020 responses from grassroots farmers, this is the largest farmer-led statement on the true effects of the Paris Accord ever undertaken
– the message is undeniable.

Question One

Investment preferences:

If you had to choose between investing in the following: environmental work or methane mitigation, where would you prefer to allocate your resources? 

Investment preferences

Question 2

Reducing on Farm Ruminant Emmission :

On a scale of 1 to 5, how important is it to you to further reduce on-farm ruminant methane emissions?

Reducing on Farm Ruminant Emissions

Question 3

Which of the following factors would influence your decision to adopt methane mitigation tools?

Select all that apply

  • I will not engage in any ruminant methane mitigation actions,

  • Financial incentives (grants/subsidies),

  • Regulatory requirements,

  • Market demand (e.g. emissions-based premiums)

  • Other (please specify)

Incentives to adopt methane mitigation tools?

Question 4

In your opinion, is being in the Paris Accord in the best interest of New Zealanders?

As a consequence of New Zealand being in the Paris Accord, our country has experienced budgetary/fiscal burden, rising public debt, increased inflationary impacts (due to increased power costs), sector disruption, manufacturing and agricultural output loss and land use distortions. If New Zealand fails to reduce emissions domestically, it can meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by buying carbon credits from overseas. Treasury estimates a carbon credit bill of NZ$3.3 billion to NZ$23 billion from 2021–2030.In your opinion, is being in the Paris Accord in the best interest of New Zealanders?

Is being in the Paris Accord in the best interest of New Zealanders?

Question 5

Do you think New Zealand should continue to commit to Net Zero by 2050?

Looking to the future, if New Zealand remains committed to the Paris Accord, the cost to NZ of achieving Net Zero by 2050 will exceed $550 billion (more than $250,000 per household). A doubling of the present number of electrical engineers will be required and it will need about 10% of the global annual production of lithium, cobalt, neodymium and other materials. Net Zero by 2050 will involve much social disruption, reduction of freedom of choice, enhanced levels of demand-driven inflation, reduced capacity for government expenditure on other priorities, diminished living standards, and an economy that is much more focused and disciplined than the public have ever been exposed to.

Do you think New Zealand should continue to commit to Net Zero by 2050?

References: Net Zero for New Zealand: A report from a putative delivery agency, Professor Michael Kelly.
The Global Warming Policy Foundation, 2022. NET ZEROvFOR NZ

Should NZ Continue Commitment to NetZero by 2050

Question 6

Negative impacts of conversion to to carbon farming in your local district?

Have you experienced the negative impacts of the conversion of pasture farming to carbon farming in your local district (eg. Loss of schools, communities, jobs, proliferation of wilding pines)

Negative impacts of conversion of pasture farms your local district?

Question 7

Perceived Challenges & Concerns about NZ’s commitments under the Paris Accord?

If you have concerns about New Zealand's commitments under the Paris Accord, which of the following concerns do you have?

Check all that apply

  • Increased operational costs (e.g. Emissions Trading Scheme, new regulations).

  • The unquantified suggestion from some that returns for milk and meat would drop overnight coercing people into thinking we should stay in the Paris Accord even though a cost to benefit analysis has never been done by the government in relation to staying in the Paris Accord

  • The belief that the agricultural sector carries an unfair share of the emissions reduction burden.

  • The risk of losing international competitiveness against food producers in countries with heavily subsidised climate policies.

  • Concern that emissions reduction targets are unrealistic or unachievable with current technology.

  • The view that New Zealand's national emissions are too small to create a measurable impact to global temperature reduction

  • Increased inflationary pressures on farming, business and the cost of living.

Perceived Challenges & Concerns about NZ’s commitments under Paris Accord?

Question 8

Bottom-Line Impact of Paris

How do you believe New Zealand’s continued participation in the Paris Accord will impact the viability and profitability of your farm over the next 10 years?

Bottom-Line Impact of Paris

Question 9

Overall Stance on Paris Accord

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

"New Zealand should remain a signatory to the Paris Accord”

New Zealand should remain a signatory to the Paris Accord

Question 10

Can Farming survive Paris

  •  If New Zealand remains committed to the Paris Accord, how confident are you that the Ag sector can withstand the associated challenges – such as rising costs, land use changes, pressure to reduce ruminant methane emissions, and increasing emission reduction demands from banks and meat or dairy companies?

  • Very confident – I believe the agriculture sector will successfully adapt and thrive.

  • Somewhat confident – There will be challenges, but the sector can manage them.

  • Neutral / Unsure – It's hard to say how things will turn out.

  • Somewhat unconfident – I’m concerned the sector will struggle with the changes.

  • Not at all confident – I believe these pressures will significantly harm the agriculture sector

Bottom-Line Impact of Paris