Problem of proximity: New Zealand is renowned as national model of environmentalism and sustainability, but the food miles and carbon impact debates may hit it hard in coming years (the image is from the country's 100% Pure New Zealand campaign).

Credit: New Zealand Tourism

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WELLINGTON: New Zealand is famous for its clean air and pristine environment, but finds itself fighting for the future of its exports because of global climate change fears.

It may seem strange that a country the size of Britain with a population of only 4.1 million and few industrial smokestacks is facing accusations that its food and tourism industries are helping destroy the global environment.

"New Zealand's reputation as a country with a clean and green environment is priceless," Prime Minister Helen Clark said recently.

Clean, green image

However impact of greenhouse gases from transport, especially aviation, on climate change mean New Zealand's environmental credentials are coming under new scrutiny from distant markets.

Environmentally-conscious European, American and Asian tourists are being asked by campaigners if they can justify flying 20,000 km for a holiday on the opposite side of the world. They are also being asked why they are eating lamb, beef and butter from New Zealand when they could be buying from local farmers.

Tourism is New Zealand's single largest export sector, providing one in 10 jobs and 8.9 per cent of gross domestic product. Of New Zealand's 2.42 million visitors last year, 54 per cent were from distant markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

While aircraft emissions of carbon dioxide only account for around three per cent of global greenhouse emissions, they have increased 87 per cent since 1990, according to the European Commission.

Tourism New Zealand said concerns about long distance air travel were a worry. "So far, there has been no noticeable impact on long-haul visitor arrivals," said head of Tourism New Zealand George Hickton. "But it is a situation we are watching closely, particularly in the United Kingdom, our second largest market where concern over the sustainability issue is growing."

A flight too far

The impact of long distance transport on climate change has also been used to attack New Zealand's food exports. A British cabinet minister claimed last year a kilogram of kiwi fruit airfreighted from New Zealand to Europe caused five kilograms of carbon to be released into the atmosphere and suggested a tax on so-called 'food miles'. The New Zealand government countered by pointing out that kiwifruit is always transported by ship, one of the most efficient methods of transport.

Of New Zealand's exports in the year to June totalling NZ$33.4 billion dollars (A$29 billion, US$25 billion), the US accounted for NZ$4.5 billion dollars and the EU NZ$5.2 billion dollars. Both are regions where there has been a high profile debate on the environmental cost of importing food from distant countries.

Dairy products account for 21 per cent of New Zealand's exports and meat 13.2 per cent, while horticultural products such as kiwifruit and apples are also significant.

Critics in Britain and Germany in particular have been saying it is irresponsible to import food and drinks from the other side of the world and have urged consumers to consider the impact of food miles. But New Zealand researchers and politicians have been working overtime to knock down this theory.

Trade minister Phil Goff said foreign consumers would realise the "superficiality and flaws" of the food miles argument and would focus instead on the total carbon footprint of foods.

Food miles concerns

Furthermore, a report this year by Professor Carline Saunders of New Zealand's Lincoln University, showed British dairy farmers produce 31 per cent more greenhouse gases than their counterparts in New Zealand, including the impact of transport to Europe. New Zealand's temperate climate means cattle eat grass all year round and do not require other more energy intensive feed.

Last month Helen Clark announced New Zealand would gradually introduce an emissions trading scheme, with the aim of becoming the first "truly sustainable" country in the world.

The tourism industry – which markets itself under the slogan "100 Percent Pure New Zealand" – has a new strategy due out in November focussed on environmental sustainability. "It is impossible to know at this stage whether making the industry more sustainable will be enough to offset concerns about long haul air travel, but it is clear that doing nothing is not an answer," Hickton said.

Air New Zealand has also recognised the threat and late last month announced it would trial bio-fuel in association with engine maker Rolls Royce and Boeing late next year or in early 2009.