NZ ETS unit settings and annual regulatory updates 2025

Closes 29 Jun 2025

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Minor and technical changes

The objective of the proposals in this section is to fix minor drafting errors in regulations.

There are 2 question that can be answered within this section.

You can read minor and technical changes and the questions either:

Correct error to ensure waste participants use time series data

In 2024, regulation 23C of the UEF Regulations 2009 was updated.13 This relates to waste participants who are applying for a UEF to collect and destroy landfill gases (who do not have historical composition data available). The update directs them to use historical national waste composition datapoints, which improves the accuracy of modelling.14

The problem: The current drafting of these changes has resulted in a cross-reference error. UEF participants are directed to use one historical compositional datapoint, rather than the most accurate time series data.

Proposal: Amend regulation 23C to correct this cross-reference error and direct participants to the correct data to use. This may require participants to reapply for UEFs for the 2025 year by 31 January 2026.

13 See regulation 6 of the Climate Change (Unique Emissions Factors) Amendment Regulations 2024.

14 This change is due to come into force on 1 January 2026.

14. Do you agree that the error should be fixed?
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Keep the reference to Geospatial Information Mapping Standard current

The Climate Change (General Exemptions) Order 2009 (the Order) exempts certain people or firms from the requirement to participate in the NZ ETS.

Information from geospatial mapping is one source that a person or firm uses to determine if they are exempt.

  • Clause 18 of the Order specifies the use of Geospatial Mapping Information Standard, Emissions Trading Scheme (Forestry) as ‘ETSMAPS.6, 24-06-2015’.15
  • The standard is periodically updated, and the current version is ‘ETSMAPS.8, 3 August 2023’.
  • ETSMAPS.8 is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.

The problem: The reference in the Order is to an out-of-date standard.

Proposal: We are proposing two options for reconciling the Order and the Geospatial Information Mapping Standard, to ensure the most recent information is referenced (table 10).

15 Clause 18(2)(b) of the Order.

Table 10: Options for reconciling the Climate Change (General Exemptions) Order 2009 and the Geospatial Information Mapping Standard

Option Description  Assumed impact 

No change 

The standard referenced in the Order is out of date.

People or firms may not be able to accurately determine if they are exempt from the requirement to participate in the NZ ETS.

Option 1: Specify the current version 

Amend clause 18 of the Order.

  • Remove reference to ‘ETSMAPS.6, 24-06-2015’.

  • Replace reference with ‘ETSMAPS.8, 3 August 2023’. 

Ensures participants access the current standard.

Will require another update to the regulations when the next version of the standard is published. 

Option 2: Remove version number and date

Amend clause 18 of the Climate Change (General Exemptions) Order 2009:

  • Remove reference to ‘ETSMAPS.6, 24 06-2015’.

  • Replace with a reference to the standard in its full title without noting a specific version or publication date.

Ensures participants access the most recent standard.

Removes the need for further amendments to legislation, as the standards are updated over time. 

 

15. Please rank the options in order of preference.