There are significant market opportunities for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. For example, continued global population growth and changing consumer demand as countries move through the nutrition transition are likely to increase demand for the mix of products produced in New Zealand. In addition, New Zealand is potentially well positioned to take advantage of increased consumer demand for food and fibre products with a range of credence attributes (health and nutrition, sustainability, indigenous provenance etc). These opportunities have been recognised by the current government whose stated ambition is to significantly boost the value of exports from the primary sector over the next 10 years.
However, there are major challenges that threaten maintenance of the current situation let alone the achievement of significant growth within the sector. These include maintaining profitability and productivity as well as mitigating the considerable environmental impacts of current production systems.
New Zealand’s climate is changing and whilst this may bring some opportunities, it also presents significant challenges across the country. Not least because the intensity and frequency of climatic shocks are likely to increase. How, and indeed whether, we should be striving for significant growth in exports whilst meeting the ambitious targets set for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (including methane) and adapting to the already changing climate presents a significant conundrum for policy makers as well as those within the sector.
Drawing on both international best practice and national insights, this event will bring together researchers, policymakers and industry to assess the feasibility of developing climate resilient food and fibre systems in Aotearoa New Zealand
Timings
9.00 am: Welcome and Setting the Scene
Alan Renwick and Wim de Koning (Co-Directors LU Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness)
9.15 am Session 1 International Perspectives on Climate Resilient Land Use
Keynote Speakers - Ada Ignaciuk (OECD) and Katarzyna Zawalinska (IRAD, Polish Academy of Sciences)
10.20 am Break
10.35 am Session 2: Achieving Climate Resilience in Aotearoa New Zealand: Valuing Natural Capital
Keynote Speakers Mark Fitzpatrick (The Aotearoa Circle) and Cerasela Stancu (Envirostrat)
11.40 am Break
11.50 am Session 3: Resilient Food Systems: Small-scale and Local?
Keynote Speakers Alison Bentley (Tikitere Farm) and Angela Clifford (Eat New Zealand)
12.55 – Summing up Anita Wreford (Lincoln University)
1.05pm: Lunch and networking
1.30pm: Event finishes
Wednesday 27 November
9.00am - 1.30pm
S1, Stewart Building, Lincoln University
For more details about what to expect at this event, head to our website: https://www.transformativeagribusiness.co.nz/events/climate-resilience
