NZ ETS unit settings and annual regulatory updates 2025

Closes 29 Jun 2025

Proposed changes to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme regulations 2025: About this consultation

You can read about this consultation either:

Read about this consultation - HTML format

About this consultation

This document sets out proposals and questions for you to consider across a range of proposed minor and technical updates to the regulations relating to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). These regulations are made under the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (CCRA). The objective of these updates is to ensure the NZ ETS continues to function as intended.

These updates sit alongside the feedback the Ministry is seeking on the annual unit limits and price control settings process. For more information, including background information about the NZ ETS, see Annual updates to New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme limits and price control settings for units 2025.

Table 1 outlines the proposals in this document.

Table 1: Proposals in this document

Proposed changes Relevant regulations

Calculating and reporting emissions

  • Amend reporting requirements for destroyed landfill gas.
  • Amend formula to calculate the oxidation factor in waste emissions.
  • Update default emissions factors for natural gas activities.
  • Update default emissions factors for geothermal activities.
  • Including carbon dioxide sold by natural gas mining.


Climate Change (Waste) Regulations 2010

Climate Change (Unique Emissions Factor) Regulations 2009

Climate Change (Stationary Energy and Industrial Processes) Regulations 2009

Penalties and infringements

  • Update regulation cross-references to ensure participants can be issued fees and fines.
Climate Change (Infringement 
Offences) Regulations 2021

Managing NZ ETS auctions

  • Manage rollover auction volumes within a calendar year.
  • Amend the collateral window for NZ ETS auctions.
Climate Change (Auctions, Limits, and 
Price Controls for Units) Regulations 
2020

New Zealand Emissions Trading Register and accounts

  • Streamline statutory declaration requirements for account holders.
  • Correct the reference to the definition of a ‘qualified person’.
Climate Change (Unit Register) 
Regulations 2008

Minor and technical changes

  • Correct the error to ensure waste participants use time series data.
  • Keep the reference to Geospatial Information Mapping Standard current.

Climate Change (Unique Emissions 
Factor) Regulations 2009

Climate Change (General Exemptions) Order 2009