The GRA at a glance
- Established in 2009.
- More than 60 member countries.
- New Zealand is a founding member.
- Focused on reducing emissions while supporting food production.
- Supports research, capability building, and international collaboration.
Meet our team – GRA on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases
The GRA member countries, shown in blue.
New Zealand's role in the GRA
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) supports and promotes the priorities and goals of the GRA. The GRA gives New Zealand scientists the opportunity to work with world-renowned institutes and researchers. It also helps them to share knowledge and expertise with the global science community.
New Zealand is a founding member of the GRA and continues to contribute by hosting the GRA secretariat, accelerating global research, building international capability, and engaging in research groups.
Hosting the GRA Secretariat
Hosting the GRA Secretariat, which organises events, develops communications, and provides technical and policy support to members. The GRA Secretariat also funds the special representative role, which is to act as an ambassador for the GRA, lifting its profile, securing funding, and broadening links with other organisations.
Peter Ettema appointed GRA special representative – LinkedIn
Accelerating global research
Accelerating global research through international research projects targeting methane reduction, soil carbon, and nitrous oxide, and whole farm systems. New Zealand also has shared research programmes with Ireland (New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Initiative), Germany (AgriDENZ), and has a long-running partnership with the Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO).
Global Research Alliance: New Zealand Page – GRA
Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI) – GRA
Dialogue on climate and agriculture between New Zealand and Germany – AgriDENZ
New Zealand, Latin America, and the Caribbean – FONTAGRO
Building international capability
Building international capability to help countries improve their ability to understand, measure and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from pastoral livestock agriculture, drawing on New Zealand's extensive experience and expertise. Highlights include regional capability projects like the New Zealand Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative and funding the CLIFF-GRADS scholarships. Previous scholarships include RUFORUM, NZ-GRADS.
Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative New Zealand
Engaging in research groups
Engaging in research groups including:
- co-chairing the Livestock Research Group alongside Ireland and UK
- co-leading the Indigenous Research Network alongside Samoa
- co-leading in the Agricultural GHG Inventories Network
- participating in the Crop and Land Use Research Group.
The New Zealand page of the GRA website includes a complete list of our activities
Livestock Research Group – GRA
Indigenous Research Network – GRA
Cropland and Land Use Research Group – GRA
Agricultural GHG Inventory Network– GRA
Featured programmes and partnerships
Ireland-New Zealand Agriculture and Climate Joint Research Initiative
New Zealand and Ireland share a strong commitment to sustainable, pasture-based agriculture and agricultural greenhouse gas research. Through this initiative, researchers from both countries are collaborating to develop practical solutions that reduce emissions while supporting productive farming systems. The 2026 funding round positions the partnership as a long-term platform for climate-focused agricultural research, building on a portfolio of 11 jointly funded projects initiated between 2021 and 2024
The Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI) – GRA
The New Zealand Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative (NZCSA)
The New Zealand Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative is a New Zealand-funded international development programme that helps countries strengthen climate action in agriculture. The programme supports partners across Africa, ASEAN, Latin America, and the Caribbean to improve agricultural greenhouse gas accounting, mitigation, and reporting systems.
New Zealand Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative
Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO)
Since 2011, New Zealand has partnered with the Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO) to support research and innovation in sustainable livestock systems, soil management, and climate-smart agriculture. The partnership promotes scientific collaboration, knowledge sharing, and practical solutions across Latin America and the Caribbean. The participating countries include Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
New Zealand, Latin America, and the Caribbean – FONTAGRO
CLIFF-GRADS Scholarships
The Climate, Food and Farming, Global Research Alliance Development Scholarships Programme (CLIFF-GRADS) supports PhD students from developing countries to undertake scientific training and research on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, carbon storage, and food systems. The programme helps develop the next generation of researchers working to address climate challenges in agriculture.
New Zealand-Germany dialogue on climate and agriculture (AgriDENZ)
AgriDENZ is a collaboration between New Zealand and Germany that supports scientific exchange, policy dialogue, and international cooperation on climate and agriculture. Since 2024, the partnership has strengthened connections among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, helping both countries share expertise and advance sustainable agricultural outcomes globally.
Working together for sustainable agriculture
Through international research partnerships, capability-building initiatives, scholarship programmes, and global leadership, New Zealand continues to play an active role in the Global Research Alliance. Working alongside countries and organisations around the world, these efforts help support productive, resilient, and lower-emission agricultural systems for the future.
How to contact us
If you have questions about the Global Research Alliance and New Zealand's involvement, email info@mpi.govt.nz