Government - who does what?

A number of government agencies carry out functions relevant to climate change.

  • The Ministry for the Environment is responsible for leading the development of the emissions trading legislation and for the development of allocation plans and regulations under the scheme. The Ministry is also responsible for reporting under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the Convention) and the Kyoto Protocol and has a climate change adaptation work programme.
  • The Ministry of Transport contributes to the NZ ETS, and leads work on biofuels, electric vehicles, other alternative fuels and technologies and the energy efficiency of commercial fleets.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry contributes to government policy on climate change in a number of areas, including policy development and implementation of the NZ ETS, the Climate Change Plan of Action, adapting to climate change, and a range of other funding and research activities relating to agriculture and forestry policy.
  • The Ministry of Economic Development is responsible for energy policy and the management of the New Zealand Emission Unit Register. The Ministry of Economic Development is also involved in research into carbon capture and storage, energy information and modelling, and exploring the use of oil, natural gas, geothermal and alternative fuels.
  • The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority encourages, supports and promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy in New Zealand.
  • The Electricity Commission is responsible for regulating the operation of the electricity industry and markets. It also promotes and facilitates the efficient use of electricity.
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for leading New Zealand’s international climate change negotiations. A number of other agencies contribute to and support this work.
  • The Treasury provides information, research and economic perspectives on climate change policy.
  • The Department of Conservation is responsible for conserving the natural and historical heritage of New Zealand. It also manages large tracts of native forest and provides policy advice on climate change issues, where they relate to and intersect with conservation issues.
  • The Ministry of Science and Innovation has a role in promoting New Zealand’s innovation system by providing science and technology policy advice to the Government, some of which relates to climate change. The Ministry is also responsible for investing money in science and research on behalf of the New Zealand Government, including research on climate change.
  • Local authorities (regional, district and unitary authorities) have the primary responsibility for regulating resource use in New Zealand and for promoting the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of communities. Local authorities are required to have regard to the effects of climate change. Many local authorities are active in promoting emissions reductions policies and measures in their respective regions.

Last updated: 4 March 2011