Greenhouse Gas reports

Greenhouse gas inventory

The inventory is an annual account of all human-caused emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in New Zealand. It is produced each year as part of our obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the Climate Change Convention) and the Kyoto Protocol.

The inventory reports greenhouse gas emissions from six sectors: energy; industrial processes; solvents; agriculture; land use, land-use change and forestry; and waste. As well as the current emissions and removals, the inventory records how emissions are changing by showing the trends from 1990.

All inventories are reviewed annually by an expert review team.

Land use and carbon analysis system (LUCAS)

The Land Use and Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS) is required to produce an estimate of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas removals arising from land use and land use change for inclusion in the annual inventory produced by the Ministry for the Environment to meet New Zealand’s Kyoto Protocol reporting obligations.

The first commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol is 2008 to 2012 inclusive. New Zealand's emissions and removals for this period are benchmarked against these levels as at 1990.

Net position report

The net position report provides an indication, using best available information at the time of projection, on how New Zealand is heading towards meeting its commitment under article 3.1 of the Kyoto Protocol. It is produced each year by the Ministry for the Environment. The net position is not a requirement of the UNFCCC or Kyoto Protocol.

The net position is calculated consistent with the Public Finance Act 1989 (section 26U) that requires the net position to incorporate to the fullest extent possible, all government decisions and all other circumstances that may have a material effect on the projection and that can be quantified with reasonable certainty.

New Zealand's national communication

The national communication updates a party’s progress towards its commitments under the Convention and towards implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. The report covers a wide range of topics, including: policies and measures, trends and projections of greenhouse gas emissions and removals, climate research and observations, financial assistance and technology transfer to developing countries, climate change impacts and adaptation, and public participation and awareness activities. In accordance with the requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or the Convention) and the Kyoto Protocol, New Zealand submitted its Fifth National Communication on 23 December 2009.

Last updated: 30 November 2010