Introduction to New Zealand's Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Management
Farming
A course by
Massey University
An online short course for rural professionals focusing on understanding, reducing, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand's pastoral production systems.
NZ$2,300
inc GST
Enquire about international pricing
Core skills this course teaches
Understand reasons for New Zealand’s commitment to reducing agricultural GHG emissions
Demonstrate knowledge of drivers, policies, and international/national factors influencing agricultural GHG reduction.
Advise on management changes for GHG emissions reduction in pastoral farming
About This Course
This 10-week online short course offers participants a comprehensive understanding of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New Zealand and how to measure, reduce, and mitigate these emissions in pastoral farming systems. The course covers global and national GHG contexts, New Zealand government policy, carbon and nitrogen cycles, GHG accounting, and mitigation practice advice. Designed for rural professionals, the course integrates theory, policy, and the use of scenario modelling tools (such as Overseer) and includes a two-hour written examination.
Course Content
- Introduction to greenhouse gases and climate change
- New Zealand’s GHG emissions in a global and national context
- Policy relating to New Zealand’s GHG reduction commitments
- GHG accounting and inventory protocols
- The carbon and nitrogen cycles in NZ agricultural systems
- Nitrogen excretion, nitrous oxide, and ammonia volatilisation
- Methane production by ruminants and mitigation strategies
- The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme for forests
- GHG emissions reduction modelling using Overseer software
- Dairy, sheep, and beef farm case studies and scenario analyses
- Contrasting dairy farm systems
- GHG capability building
- Weekly compulsory online lectures/tutorials
- Final two-hour examination
Entry Requirements
Build towards these roles
Rural professional adviser on farm GHG managementFarm environmental consultantSustainability roles in agriculture
Build skills in these industries
AgricultureEnvironmental ManagementRural Consulting
