Agriculture sector accused of watering down climate documents

He said they had opposed a recommendation to switch to “plant-based diets”, proposing the wording “healthy diets” instead.

The change, proposed at a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was accepted.

Greenpeace said it was clear that plant-based diets had a far lower environmental impact than meat and dairy.

Spokeswoman Christine Rose said in a statement that the move reeked of influence from the farming industry and that Climate Change Minister James Shaw needed to tell officials to stop undermining good efforts.

“The intensive dairy industry is New Zealand’s biggest climate polluter and if this government is serious about climate action, we must see a fundamental shift from factory farming to regenerative organic farming based on plants,” Rose said.

“We cannot risk the future of life on earth for the profits of the dairy industry. It is time for James Shaw to get on the agenda and start advocating for real climate action.”

Rose said responses to climate change should be based on evidence, instead of denying science.

Animal rights organization Safe also criticized the UN delegation’s push for a change in language.

Safe chief executive Debra Ashton said it was a shameful act that reeks of agricultural industry influence.

Minister Shaw said he intended to speak to those responsible for the change request.

Shaw said officials told him the term “healthy and sustainable diets” was similar to but broader than “plant-based diet.”

He said New Zealand should not use language suggesting it is protecting agriculture at the expense of the climate.