Our collective wellbeing is intrinsically linked to te taiao (the natural environment).
We would love to hear your aspirations for the future of the whenua (land) as a source of wellbeing for every generation.
We are seeking feedback on the:
importance of land in your everyday...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 need your feedback on the plan. It’s been put together so we can minimise the damage from a changing climate. We want to hear about how climate...More
We make technical amendments to regulations under the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to maintain the accuracy of the NZ ETS.
This consultation closed on 28 April 2022.
We consulted on the following proposed technical amendments.
Climate Change (Unit Register) Regulations 2008...More
Too much rubbish is ending up in landfills and our environment.
We are keen to hear your views on proposals to transform recycling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The three proposals are:
A container return scheme that encourages people to return their empty beverage containers...More
Too much rubbish is ending up in landfills and our environment.
We are keen to hear your views on proposals to transform recycling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The three proposals are:
A container return scheme that encourages people to return their empty beverage containers...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...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 make our drinking water safer.
The Government consulted on three proposals to strengthen the ability of the NES-DW to protect...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...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...More
What we consulted on
Read a snapshot of the emissions reduction plan discussion document [PDF, 1,863 KB]
The consultation closed on 24 November 2021.
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What we consulted on
Read the discussion document for this consultation [PDF, 7,401 KB]
View webinars on the Ministry for the Environment website
The consultation closed on 24 November 2021
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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...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...More
Freshwater farm plans were introduced last year 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.
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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...More
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 our proposal...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...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...More
Decision
The Government has decided to phase out certain hard-to-recycle plastics and six single-use items.
Read about the plastic items being phased out
The decision follows widespread public support
The Government consulted the public on its plastic phase-out...More