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Last reviewed:

UPDATE – 11 JUNE 2024

The Government is increasing funding for the centre

The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) plays an important role in identifying and funding critical research and development.

An additional $50.5 million will be spent over the next 5 years to support the development of new emissions reduction tools.

Government scales up funding for NZAGRC – Beehive

Helping agriculture reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) is focused on delivering fit-for-purpose emissions reduction tools and technologies to ensure thriving farmers and growers, and a healthy environment.

The NZAGRC was established in 2010 and is hosted by AgResearch, with its headquarters in Palmerston North.

The NZAGRC has been shaping and managing research programmes that have taken mitigation research forward globally.

Its networks and knowledge of the current state of mitigation research in New Zealand, and internationally, helps shape future research.

It funds a wide range of research providers to deliver programmes, often co-funded with others.

Find out more about NZAGRC

Centre for Climate Action on Agricultural Emissions

The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) is a key component of the Centre for Climate Action on Agricultural Emissions (CCAAE).

It plays an important role in identifying and funding critical research and development, alongside AgriZeroNZ’s investment efforts in commercially promising technologies, some of which have their genesis in the NZAGRC.

Find out more about AgriZeroNZ

NZAGRC investment

  • Additional funding of $50.5 million over 5 years from MPI to scale up the NZAGRC.
  • A total investment of $149.6 million over 5 years from MPI into the NZAGRC’s domestic research and development.

Extra investment in agricultural emissions reduction research 2024 – Fact sheet [PDF, 2.3 MB]

Research focuses

NZAGRC is investing in New Zealand agricultural greenhouse gas emissions research. Its vision is to be an internationally renowned centre for research and development.

The centre's research mainly focuses on:

  • ruminant methane
  • nitrous oxide
  • soil carbon
  • integrated farm systems, and
  • identifying and advancing Mātauranga and Te Ao Māori approaches to biological emissions reductions.

It also aims to:

  • improve coordination of greenhouse gas research and research infrastructure
  • build New Zealand's research capacity by supporting students, early career scientists, technicians, and senior scientists.

Involvement with the Global Research Alliance

NZAGRC plays a major role in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA). It administers:

  • the Government's science investments in support of the GRA
  • the GRA's education award scheme.

How we work with the GRA on international climate change

Find out more

PM opens centre – Government media release

NZAGRC Review Report Final [PDF, 813 KB]

Who to contact

If you have questions about the information on this page, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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