New tools and guidance to support New Zealand’s voluntary nature and carbon markets

New tools and guidance are now available to support New Zealanders who want to take part in voluntary nature and carbon markets.

On May 11, the Government announced it is backing the growth of trusted, privately run voluntary nature and carbon markets in New Zealand.

See Guidance to support investment into voluntary carbon and nature markets (Beehive website)

See Government backs trusted voluntary nature and carbon markets news item

Updated Guidance for Voluntary Climate Change Mitigation has been released to set out clear and best practice for participants in voluntary carbon markets in New Zealand.

See guidance for voluntary climate change mitigation.

This guidance emphasises integrity, transparency and responsible use of carbon credits.

The guidance supports anyone involved in voluntary climate change mitigation in New Zealand, including:

• businesses and organisations making voluntary climate claims
• project developers and landowners undertaking voluntary mitigation activities
• market intermediaries, advisors and service providers supporting participation in the voluntary carbon market.

High-integrity principles of international organisations and initiatives including the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets, the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism and the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market have informed the guidance refresh.

See Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets website.

See Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (United Nations Climate Change).

See Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market website.

Applications are now open for people and organisations to seek a science assessment of a carbon removal activity under the Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals, released last year.

The framework supports people and organisations who are interested in activities that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Tools and guidance released today include:

• a Guide for Applicants which explains the application process steps and the scientific criteria
• The Carbon Removals Activity Check, a new online self-assessment tool for potential applicants
• an online application form.

These tools help people check the scientific robustness of the carbon removal activities they’re pursuing and understand whether they’re on a pathway to recognition, including in voluntary markets. 

See How to Seek a Science Assessment for a Carbon Removal Activity: Guide for Applicants

See the Carbon Removal Activity Check (MS Forms)

See the online application for science assessment carbon removal form.

Carbon removals are part of New Zealand’s climate change mitigation strategy. 

While forestry is already a critical part of New Zealand’s approach, the Government also wants to ensure people and organisations can explore other ways to increase carbon removals.

Carbon removal activities refer to deliberate technologies, practices and approaches that remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and store it long-term in another CO₂ pool, such as vegetation, soil or the ocean.