Deferral of NZ ETS reporting obligations for animals–farmer activities

Overview

NZ ETS date deferred for animal farmers 

On 2 October 2023 the Government deferred the date animal farmers must meet New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) reporting obligations, from 1 January 2024 to 1 January 2026. 

The deferral followed the Government’s August 2023 decision to progress work to ensure mandatory reporting of agricultural emissions by late 2024 and pricing of those emissions one year later.

Consultation on the deferral of animal reporting obligations 

In 2023 the Ministry for the Environment sought feedback on the Government's proposal to defer the date animal farmers were required to report on and pay for their emissions under the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS).

The Government proposed deferring the date by two years, from 1 January 2024 to 1 January 2026.

Read the full discussion document (PDF 1.1MB)

Read the Summary of Submissions.

Read key documents relating to the government’s decision to defer the date for reporting obligations.

Removal of agriculture from the NZ ETS

Following a change in government in October 2023, the coalition government committed to removing agriculture from the NZ ETS and implementing a pricing system outside the NZ ETS for on-farm emissions by 2030. 

Requirements to price agricultural emissions through the NZ ETS were therefore removed from the Climate Change Response Act in November 2024. This means farmers are not required to register, report and pay for their emissions through the NZ ETS. 

See full press release - Beehive

See Agriculture removed from the Emissions Trading Scheme - Environment