September 8th, 2024
The Ministry of Environment in New Zealand has reported yesterday that the country's gross emissions continued to decrease in 2021, according to the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The inventory, which is submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), provides data to inform and support New Zealand's climate policies.
Decrease in gross emissions for the second year in a row
Gross emissions in 2021 were 76.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e), a 0.7% reduction from 2020. This marks the second successive year in which New Zealand has seen a slight decrease in gross emissions, after a 3% reduction in 2020 compared to 2019.
Agriculture and waste sectors drive gross emissions reductions
The reduction in gross emissions in 2021 was largely due to a decrease in emissions from the agriculture sector, which decreased by 1.5% thanks to a reduction in dairy cattle and sheep numbers, and a fall in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use. Emissions in the waste sector also reduced by 1.6% compared to 2020.
Net emissions increase due to harvesting cycles and younger forests
Net emissions, which include removals from land use and forestry, were 55.7 Mt CO2-e in 2021, an increase of 3% on 2020. The increase in net emissions is heavily influenced by planting and harvesting cycles. New Zealand is currently experiencing historically high harvest rates in plantation forests, resulting in a higher proportion of younger forests which grow more slowly and sequester less carbon than older ones. Additionally, harvesting returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.
New emissions reduction plan sets path towards meeting climate targets
New Zealand has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across every sector from 2022 onwards, and to put the country on a path towards meeting its first emissions budget (2022-2025) and long-term emissions reduction targets. The Greenhouse Gas Inventory provides valuable data to inform and support these efforts.
Changes since 1990
Since 1990, when the UNFCCC’s base year began, New Zealand’s gross emissions have increased by 19%, with net emissions increasing by 25%. Only the waste sector’s emissions have decreased (by 18%) since 1990, as solid waste disposal at municipal landfills has improved.
The Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The Greenhouse Gas Inventory is an annual report of all human-induced emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in New Zealand. It is submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and provides the data needed to inform and support the country's climate policies.
The first emissions reduction plan
New Zealand has recently introduced its first emissions reduction plan, which sets out how the country will reduce greenhouse gas emissions across every sector from 2022 onwards. The plan puts New Zealand on a path towards meeting its first emissions budget (2022-2025) and long-term emissions reduction targets.
While the decrease in emissions in 2021 is positive news, more work needs to be done to address the underlying increase in gross emissions since 1990. The Agriculture and Energy sectors are still the largest contributors to gross emissions and will require significant attention to meet New Zealand’s emissions reduction targets.