Consultation on synthetic greenhouse gas draft regulations

Consultation closed

Consultation on draft regulations for synthetic greenhouse gas emissions under the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) closed on 23 July 2010.

Electronic copies of individual submissions can be found here.  

Draft regulations and related documents

Please note the draft regulations and related documents available on the right are for reference only as the consultation is now closed.

Synthetic gases covered by the ETS

The synthetic greenhouse gases covered by the ETS are:

  • hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
  • perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
  • sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

These have specialist uses in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, aerosols and in electricity transmission.

About the draft regulations

The draft regulations include amendments to two sets of existing climate change regulations as well as a proposal to exempt certain goods containing synthetic greenhouse gases from the NZ ETS.

Amendments to Climate Change (Stationary Energy and Industrial Processes) Regulations 2009

Who’s affected

The amendments to the Climate Change (Stationary Energy and Industrial Processes) Regulations 2009 will be of interest to people who import synthetic greenhouse gases, including gases contained in goods, or who manufacture the gases.

Obligations

People who import or manufacture synthetic greenhouse gases have the following obligations under the ETS:

Date Requirement
1 January 2011 Voluntary reporting on gases
1 January 2012 Mandatory reporting on gases
1 January 2013 Responsible for surrendering NZUs to cover emissions

In the regulations

These regulations provide detail on how people must calculate quantity of gases for the purpose of determining their liability under the  NZ ETS.

Amendments to Climate Change (Other Removal Activities) Regulations 2009

Who’s affected

The amendments to the Climate Change (Other Removal Activities) Regulations 2009 will be of interest to those who export or destroy synthetic greenhouse gases, including those contained in goods.

Options

Under the Act, these people can apply to be ‘removal participants’ and receive credits of emissions units.

In the regulations

The regulations detail how people should calculate the emissions avoided as a result of their exporting or destruction activities, and thus how many units they will be entitled to.

Proposed exemptions

The proposed exemptions apply to a range of imported and exported goods that contain synthetic greenhouse gases. These include:

  • aircraft and ships travelling internationally that contain synthetic greenhouse gases in their refrigeration systems
  • goods that are for personal and non-business use
  • motor vehicles up to a set threshold.

Last updated: 2 August 2010