On 17 July 2024, the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) released its discussion document for consultation on New Zealand's second emissions reduction plan for 2026 – 2030 (ERP2). The discussion document is available here, the short summary version is available here, and the technical annex to the discussion document to support the emission projections for the ERP2 is also available here.
The discussion document summarises the Government's proposed actions to reduce emissions in New Zealand during the second emissions budget period of 2026 to 2030. Energy is one of five sectors that will be the focus in the ERP2. The priority pillar for energy under ERP2 is to ensure clean energy is abundant and affordable.
As ERP2 marks the first emissions reduction plan for the current Coalition Government, the policies affecting the energy sector reflect the Government's change in direction for the sector signalled both prior to and since the general election (see further discussion on the new direction here). The proposed policies can best be summarised as:
- existing actions that will be continued or new actions to be introduced or developed by the current Government – that is, what to do more of; and
- actions that will be discontinued - that is, what to do less of (including from the first emissions reduction plan (ERP1), in which case the ERP1 action numbers are identified in brackets).
Below we summarise the key priorities and actions highlighted in the ERP2. While some are defined policies, others are more high-level priorities with details that remain to be finalised as the Government works on ERP2. The consultation period provides an opportunity for stakeholders impacted by ERP2 to influence the policy detail in the second emissions budget period.
Please see the pdf version of the proposed policies table here.
Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit on the discussion document to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the proposed actions. Submissions close on 21 August 2024.
Feedback from submitters will be reviewed by relevant Government agencies to prepare the findings and recommendations in advice to Ministers to prepare the ERP2. Under the Zero Carbon Framework provided under the Climate Change Response Act 2002, the Government must publish the ERP2 by the end of 2024.
If you would like assistance preparing your response, or would like to discuss the implications of the ERP2 for your sector or project, please get in touch with one of our experts below.