Decision
The Government has decided to phase out certain hard-to-recycle plastics and six single-use items. The decision follows widespread public support.
Read about the plastic items being phased out
The Government consulted the public on its plastic phase-out proposals in 2020.
There was a good level of response from the general public, affected businesses, environmental and community groups, and local government agencies.
More
Climate change is a global problem that is having significant impacts on the environment, people and economies across the world. To limit the most harmful impacts of climate change, all countries need to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
New Zealand is committed to supporting a just transition to a low-emissions economy.
Under the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019, the Government has set a 2050 target of net zero GHG emissions (other...More
Decision
The Government has reached decisions regarding regulation updates to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (SGG) Levy.
The decisions made are to:
update unit limit and auction price control settings for 2022-2026 (for details see Tables below)
update the default emissions factors for waste and natural gas to reflect most recent data on waste and natural gas composition
update NZ ETS and SGG Levy reference data to...More
The NZ ETS is an important tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read our proposal on designing a governance framework for the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme [PDF 1.4MB]
We need to improve the current market governance framework to manage risks of misconduct in the NZ ETS and protect NZ ETS users from financial harm.
We sought feedback on proposals to address:
governance of advice
governance of trading
governance of...More
About industial allocation
Industrial allocation is the provision of free emissions units (NZUs) to industries considered emissions-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE). Its purpose is to reduce the risk of emissions pricing driving EITE firms, and their production and associated emissions overseas.
Read the consultation document on reforming industrial allocation in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme [PDF 1.5MB]
Webinars held during the consultation
...More
The Government is proposing changes to the intensive winter grazing regulations. These are included within the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-F).
We have received feedback that aspects of the intensive winter grazing regulations may require modification to support effective implementation and achieve improved environmental outcomes. This particularly relates to conditions that are weather-dependent or difficult to practically...More
Freshwater farm plans were introduced as part of the Government’s Essential Freshwater package. They are intended to provide a practical way for farmers to meet the freshwater standards and to reduce regulatory burden.
Why we consulted
We sought feedback on the implementation and transition of all farmers to the freshwater farm plan system including:
content of freshwater farm plans
what outcomes could be achieved
how plans could be certified, audited and...More
Wetlands play an important role in maintaining the health of New Zealand’s waters. But New Zealand’s wetlands are at risk. Ninety per cent of wetlands have been lost since human settlement began and there is ongoing degradation and loss. The Government is committed to preserving the ecological value of wetlands.
Why we are consulting
Following stakeholder feedback, we are proposing to make the following amendments to natural wetland provisions in the National Policy Statement...More
What we consulted on
Read a snapshot of the emissions reduction plan discussion document [PDF, 1.8 MB]
The consultation closed on 24 November 2021.
More
What we consulted on
Read the discussion document for this consultation [PDF, 7.2 MB]
View webinars on the Ministry for the Environment website
The consultation closed on 24 November 2021
More
Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the highest generators of waste per person in the world. We use too much, waste too much and pollute too much – and this has negative impacts on the environment and contributes to climate change.
Around the world, we use more resources than the planet can sustain. The way we live now is harming future generations.
Everyone has a role to play to minimise waste and its impact on the environment. We know communities, businesses and local...More
Every year around 6.5 million tyres are imported into New Zealand. When they reach their end of use, about two-thirds go to landfill or are illegally dumped. This creates the risk of fire and toxic emissions.
In 2020, an estimated 1,000 electric vehicle batteries reached their end of use. By 2030 that number could reach 84,000 each year. Mis-managed large batteries also pose risk of fire. If they end up in the landfill or the environment, toxins such as heavy metals are released....More
Everyone should have access to safe drinking water. We are considering changes to the National Environmental Standards for Sources of Human Drinking Water (NES-DW) to better protect our sources of drinking water.
The Government consulted on three proposals to strengthen the NES-DW:
standardising the way we define source water areas
strengthening regulation of activities around water sources
including more water suppliers under the NES-DW.
This consultation...More
The Environmental Reporting Act 2015 (ERA) provides the framework for independent, structured and regular reports on the state of New Zealand’s environment. This helps us understand how our environment is tracking and the impacts of our activities over time, which is vital for good decision-making.
While the ERA has made positive changes to the way we report on the environment, we need to extend its functionality and breadth so environmental reports have more impact.
The...More
Decision
The Government has reached decisions regarding regulation updates to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (SGG) Levy.
Climate Change (Unit Register) Regulations 2008 will be updated. Regulation 11D will be repealed to remove an accounting transaction which relates to voluntary emissions offsetting activity during the Kyoto Protocol commitment periods (2008–12 and 2013–20 inclusive).
Climate Change (Other Removal...More
Healthy whenua (land) is important for a flourishing environment and people’s wellbeing.
That’s because how we use, manage and care for whenua affects our water, climate, air and native species, as well as people's quality of life. But how might our land – and New Zealanders’ relationship with it – change over the coming decades? What could they look like in 2050?
The Ministry’s Long-term Insights Briefing project delves into this important topic, and looks at the risks,...More
Too much rubbish is ending up in landfills and our environment.
We sought views on proposals to transform recycling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The three proposals were:
A container return scheme that encourages people to return their empty beverage containers for recycling [PDF, 1.4MB]
Improvements to household kerbside recycling [PDF, 891KB]
Separation of food scraps from general waste for all businesses [PDF, 865KB]
Read the full consultation...More
Too much rubbish is ending up in landfills and our environment.
We sought your views on three proposals:
A container return scheme that encourages people to return their empty beverage containers for recycling
Improvements to household kerbside recycling
Separation of food scraps from general waste for all businesses
Read the full consultation document [PDF, 3MB]
More
All New Zealanders can adapt to the locked-in effects of climate change. The sooner we act, the more effective that action will be.
We sought your feedback on the plan. It’s been put together so we can minimise the damage from a changing climate. We asked about how climate change is affecting you, potential impacts you are concerned about, actions you are taking and what other actions are needed.
Read the summary document [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Read the consultation...More
We consulted on proposed amendments to wetland provisions in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F) from 1 September to 27 October 2021.
Following consultation, we analysed submissions and prepared a report summarising submissions and providing advice and recommendations to the Minister. Decisions made on the basis of that report enabled drafting of proposed amendments to wetland...More
The National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB) is in force from 4 August 2023.
Find out about the NPSIB
As part of the development, from November 2019 to March 2020, we sought public feedback on the introduction of a National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB) to help protect precious flora and fauna. We received over 7000 submissions. The majority supported the intent of the NPSIB.
In this consultation we sought feedback from...More
Our wetlands in the coastal marine area are the interface of freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Why we are consulting
The original policy intent of the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards) for Freshwater (NES-F) was to restrict activities likely to cause the loss or degradation of all natural wetlands including those in the coastal marine area.
However, many councils and stakeholders initially interpreted the NES-F as applying only to natural inland...More
Unit settings are updated annually to ensure the NZ ETS remains an effective tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We sought feedback on the impacts of proposed changes, including the Climate Change Commission's recommendations, on price controls and unit settings for New Zealand Units.
Read the consultation document [PDF, 812 KB]
Webinars
We hosted two webinars where participants had an opportunity to hear more about the proposals and ask questions.
...More
Land is a taonga. It is intrinsically linked to the health of the wider environment and to people’s lives and livelihoods. For many years Aotearoa New Zealand’s land has been under pressure. If current trends continue, pressures on our land could increase – affecting both its health and the wellbeing of future generations.
We asked for your input into our Long-term Insights Briefing on how we ensure the future wellbeing of our land and people.
Read a short summary of the...More
Update
Read the report under section 215 of the Climate Change Response Act 2002 [PDF, 905 KB]
The Climate Change and Agriculture Ministers published a report on the Government’s proposed system, a legislated requirement of the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA).
The report outlines a system to put a price on emissions from agricultural activities as an alternative to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
The proposed pricing system is based on the farm-level...More
Fluorinated gases (F-gases) contribute significantly to global warming. This is because they are potent greenhouse gases, with global warming potential hundreds or thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide.
F-gas refrigerants are found in a range of products such as heat pumps, dehumidifiers, vehicles, fridges and freezers.
We sought feedback on proposed measures to reduce the environmental impact of fluorinated gases (F-gases). This included:
a regulated product...More
The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2013 set hourly charge-out rates for certain functions and services. The current charge-out rates have not been revised since 2013 and are not recovering costs.
We are proposing increases to those charge-out rates.
The main parties affected are people and companies who:
intend to apply for, or already have, marine consents under the EEZ Act
undertake or intend to undertake...More
The Government engaged with stakeholders about its proposals to improve governance of the market for New Zealand Units (NZU).
This engagement sought feedback on the impact of treating NZUs as financial products, the leveraging of existing financial market legislation, and on alternative market governance proposals considered as part of the policy design phase.
Read the consultation document [PDF, 2.4 MB]
Proposed changes included:
Using existing financial...More
Councils can issue ‘instant fines’ for breaches of environmental rules under the Resource Management Act that do not justify prosecution in court.
The current infringement notice fines were set in 1999. They are now too low to discourage non-compliance with plan rules or consent conditions. This puts our environment at risk and is unfair to those New Zealanders who use our natural resources sustainably and within the law.
We consulted on proposed options for changing the...More
