ETS changes to help forestry

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ETS SCHEME will help to make it work better for forest owners in the future, say Forestry Minister, Shane Jones, and Climate Change Minister, James Shaw.

The two ministers released a consultation paper last month that outlines 12 improvements to forestry regulations in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZETS).

“Expanding the forestry industry’s capacity is essential to the success of the One Billion Trees programme, and ensuring the ETS works better is an integral part of this,” says Mr Jones.

Mr Shaw adds: “Increased forestry is a vital aspect of New Zealand doing its bit to address climate change.

“We’re hoping to make some straightforward, practical changes soon to improve the ETS for people who plant trees.

“The proposals take into account feedback from the 2015/16 NZ ETS Review, along with insights from the submission of mandatory emissions returns from the 2,300 forestry participants in the scheme.

“We will be coming back to the sector to get their input on more improvements to the ETS later this year, as the Government is very aware we need to address issues that are currently seen as blocks to participation in the scheme.”

There are 12 proposals under consideration, including:

• Forest owners with 100 hectares or more in the scheme only needing to update their lookup tables once every five years

• Providing more flexibility regarding waivers for owners of over 100 ha around the collection of field data near the end of the five-yearly mandatory emissions returns

• Closing of an unanticipated loophole related to the deforestation of post-1989 forest, and its subsequent replanting and re-entry into the scheme.

The other nine proposals correct or improve technical issues, or address areas where the regulations aren’t working as intended.