SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Publication of a sustainability plan 

Lincoln University’s latest annual Sustainability Plan is for 2024, and it is publicly available online on the University’s external website. This requirement is outlined in Lincoln’s Sustainability Policy, which details the responsibilities of the Sustainability Office in developing this report. The plan is reported as its own annual document, ensuring transparency and accountability in the University's sustainability initiatives and progress as we aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon zero by 2050.  

Research on mitigating nitrate losses recognised

Associate Professor Racheal Bryant from Lincoln University has been recognised for her work on minimising the environmental impact of dairy farming by being awarded the 2024 McMeekan Memorial Award by the New Zealand Society of Animal Production (NZSAP). Associate Professor Bryant teaches ruminant nutrition and pasture agronomy while researching practical solutions for improving sustainable practices on farms, particularly in reducing nitrate leaching.

To discover new ways of mitigating nitrate losses in dairy systems, her research developed nutritional management strategies that focused on forages and herbs. In 2018, Associate Professor Bryant established the Dairy Futures Living Laboratory at Lincoln University’s Research Dairy Farm to encourage collaboration with industry and allow students to see science being implemented on a working farm first-hand.

Enhancing native biodiversity on farmland 

On The Conversation, Lincoln University Postdoctoral Fellow in Biodiversity Elizabeth Elliot Noe and Professor Anita Wreford, along with Senior Lecturer from the University of Waikato Ottilie Stolte, shared their research findings on the experiences, values and priorities New Zealand dairy farmers have for their land.

In the study, farmers on 14 dairy farms were interviewed in the Waikato and Canterbury. While dairy farmers have many values and priorities, limited time, resources and energy, some farmers are choosing to plant hedgerows, riparian plantings and shade trees to enhance native biodiversity that is otherwise lost when land is cleared for farming. Some study participants said they would trade off some profit for other values, such as improving animal welfare and minimising some negative environmental consequences of dairy farming.

While many participants discussed barriers to planting natives, these barriers were considered surmountable by farmers who felt it was essential to incorporate native biodiversity into their farm management. For them, planting natives was an integral part of running a sustainable dairy farm.

Food waste initiatives on campus

During 2024, 14.88t of food waste was generated on Lincoln University’s campus, along with 19.63t of green waste. On campus, 32.8t of plastic was recycled, along with 7.8t of cardboard, which contributed to a total of 27.35% of the total waste being recycled in 2024. The University continues to introduce and streamline processes implemented to minimise food waste from food preparation. The Lincoln University catering team actively manages food waste across all catering areas, including cafeterias, event catering and student dining, to create greater efficiencies in food distribution on campus. To aid in reducing and managing food waste on campus, the University is developing a Waste Reduction Strategy.

Steering towards more climate-resilient land use 

Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence – Transformative Agribusiness held an event on campus, drawing on international best practice and national insights from researchers, policymakers and industry to assess the feasibility of developing climate-resilient food and fibre systems in New Zealand.

There are significant opportunities for the food and fibre sector to increase production to meet global demand; however, environmental impacts threaten to maintain the current level of productivity, making it challenging to consider further growth. This poses a significant conundrum for those within the sector: whether significant export growth can be achieved while meeting the ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To help evaluate the challenges and opportunities available to New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, the Global and Local Approaches to Climate-Resilient Land event featured European speakers Ada Ignaciuk (OECD) and Katarzyna Zawalinska (IRWiR, Polish Academy of Science). From a New Zealand perspective, Alison Bentley (Tikitere Farm) and Angela Clifford (Eat New Zealand) shared their views on the importance of creating local markets. At the same time, Mark Fitzpatrick (The Aotearoa Circle) and Cerasela Stancu (Envirostrat) discussed policy at a national level.

Manuals aid informed farming decisions

As part of its role as a land-based specialist university, Lincoln helps address the needs of the food and fibre industries. Since the 1960s, the Farm Technical and Financial Manuals have been produced by Lincoln University to assist tertiary students, farmers and agribusiness consultants in making informed decisions as part of their planning processes.

High demand for the yearly publications continues with the information now published as the Financial Budget Manual and Farm Technical Manual. They offer unbiased knowledge on New Zealand agriculture, encompassing environmental planning and analysis tools, carbon pricing, land use decisions, succession planning, and agricultural markets and pricing.

To assist with farm accounts, the Financial Budget Manual outlines budgeting and cost considerations, as well as various enterprise profitability and taxation considerations. Compiled with the general practitioner in mind, The Farm Technical Manual provides comprehensive data including information on livestock management, pastures, crops, forage crops, soils, fertilisers and irrigation.