Government backs voluntary nature credits market

Voluntary nature credits markets open income opportunities for farmers and other landowners who look after nature on their land by linking them with investors interested in projects designed to protect nature.  

Such projects can generate credits for protecting nature and taking climate action. The credits are tradeable and valuable for organisations or individuals keen to make, or be associated with, environmental improvements. 

See Scaling Up Voluntary Nature Credits Market Activity in New Zealand for more information about what's proposed.

Reputable nature credits markets are intended to attract significant private investment (credit buyers) to help protect threatened species and habitats and reduce carbon emissions, while giving landowners and others like community groups, iwi, Māori and nature project developers confidence and incentives to participate in those markets.   

Credits are registered in the market and can be sold to investors interested in projects and activities that protect or enhance indigenous species or habitats.   

Contact the Ministry for the Environment to learn more about how the voluntary nature credits market could work.