Articles tagged with Emissions Trading Scheme
New Zealand Forestry Benefits from Lower ETS Costs and Smarter Regulations
1 week ago | 121 viewsNew Zealand’s Government is implementing sensible regulatory reforms to support the forestry sector in meeting environmental obligations while reducing compliance costs, including lowering Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) charges by 66% since taking office. Updates to the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry and a simplified, voluntary legal harvest assurance system aim to cut red tape, ensure fair and efficient processes, and better target environmental risks. These changes, effective from July 2026, are designed to enhance the sector's economic contribution, competitiveness, and alignment of costs with services used.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand forestry sector Emissions Trading Scheme National Environmental Standards legal harvest assurance forestry regulation environmental obligations NZ GovernmentGovernment Clarifies Climate Change Laws to Boost Business Certainty and Investment
1 month ago | 271 viewsThe Government plans to amend the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent tort liability claims against businesses for climate change damage, aiming to provide legal certainty and protect business confidence. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasizes that climate change responses should be managed nationally through existing frameworks like the Emissions Trading Scheme, rather than through court litigation. This amendment will not affect government responsibilities or businesses’ obligations under the ETS but will ensure a consistent regulatory approach.
Tags: climate change greenhouse gas emissions Climate Change Response Act 2002 Emissions Trading Scheme legal clarity business certainty Paul Goldsmith High Court litigation government regulation environmental lawForestry ETS Costs Slashed to $10.25/Ha, Boosting NZ Forest Owners
5 months ago | 779 viewsForestry Minister Todd McClay announced a reduction in the Emissions Trading Scheme annual charge for forest owners from $14.90 to $10.25 per hectare, marking a 66% decrease since the National-led Government took office. The changes, resulting from a second operational cost review, also include updated service fees and new targeted fees to better reflect actual administration costs while maintaining service quality. Consultation on these proposals, which aim to support the forestry sector’s role in emissions targets, opens now with updated settings expected to take effect by mid-2026.
Tags: Todd McClay Forestry Minister Emissions Trading Scheme ETS Registry forest owners Labour Government cost reduction New Zealand forestry sectorNew Zealand’s Commitment to Climate Action and COP30 Leadership in the Pacific
7 months ago | 647 viewsNew Zealand reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement by submitting an ambitious second Nationally Determined Contribution, prioritizing transparency, climate support, and adaptation, while urging all Parties to act urgently. The country highlights its progress in renewable energy, agricultural innovation, and pioneering climate adaptation legislation, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive, collaborative response that incorporates diverse voices, including young Māori leaders. New Zealand supports hosting COP31 in the Pacific to advance global climate solutions and calls for collective partnership to maintain momentum toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient future.
Tags: New Zealand Paris Agreement COP31 Pacific climate change Nationally Determined Contribution Emissions Trading Scheme renewable energy Māori leaders Blue Pacific ContinentNew Legislation Protects Farmland from Forest Conversions, Boosting Agriculture Sector
7 months ago | 715 viewsLegislation has been enacted to restrict farm-to-forest conversions on productive farmland, fulfilling a campaign promise by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay. The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme - Forestry Conversion) Amendment Act, effective from October 31, 2025, aims to protect food production, rural communities, and forestry investments. Exotic forests are limited from entering the Emissions Trading Scheme on New Zealand's most productive soils, with exemptions for Māori-owned land and erosion-prone areas, while transitional exemptions are available for qualifying forestry investments made between 2021 and 2024.
Tags: Legislation farmland Agriculture Forestry Minister Todd McClay Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme New Zealand MPINew Zealand Government Passes Bill to Protect Farmland and Forestry in Climate Change Response
9 months ago | 808 viewsThe Government passed the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill to prevent wholesale conversion of farmland to pine forests, aiming to balance food production and Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) confidence. Key changes include limits on exotic forestry registrations for productive farmland, flexibility for farmers to convert up to 25% of land to forestry, and provisions for Māori-owned land. The Bill aims to support rural economies, create jobs, and ensure ETS credibility, with a review planned for 2028 to assess effectiveness.
Tags: Todd McClay Simon Watts Government Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions Agriculture Forestry New Zealand Land Use