Statement of service performance for the year Ended 30 June 2009

100 per cent compliance with the Ministry’s quality standards for analysis and advice, as assessed by the Minister through satisfactory completion of Cabinet’s Regulatory Impact Assessment requirements.

75%²

All reports comply with the Ministry’s quality standards for analysis and advice, as assessed through an annual independent external policy quality audit, review and benchmarking process.

Not assessed

Managerial and peer review is maintained to ensure that the quality standards are met.

Achieved

The Ministry reports to the Minister at least twice a year to enable the Minister to assess the Ministry’s performance in the delivery of its outputs and to provide feedback.

Achieved

Revenue:

38,475

Crown

40,300

39,892

41,248

448

Departmental

511

367

403

3

Other

5

5

5

38,926

Total revenue

40,816

40,264

41,656

33,369

Total expenses

40,194

40,264

41,656

5,557

Net surplus

622

0

0

Collect information from government agencies showing progress on sustainability indicators and targets, develop measures for the business sustainability programme, and monitor and measure changes in trends and awareness on sustainability for households.

Achieved – Annual monitoring data collected from the Govt³ member agencies for 2008/09 showed significant impact reductions from previous years in energy use and waste to landfill, as well as some substantial cost savings from sustainable procurement. In March 2009, Cabinet decided to discontinue this programme. Due to cessation of the Govt³ programme, this annual reporting by agencies will not be required in the future.

Achieved – The Sustainable Business Network and Environmental Choice reported to the Ministry regularly on the progress of their programmes. Between January 2007 and December 2008, the Sustainable Business Network saw a 40 per cent growth in membership. With Ministry funding, it has provided 456 organisations (including businesses) with active, hands-on support between January 2007 and June 2009. The Ministry has identified the need to understand more about the environmental impacts of business, and where resource efficiency cost savings could be made. Therefore, research will be undertaken in this area as part of the 2009/10 programme.

Achieved – The Ministry published the second annual Household Sustainability Survey 2008. It provides a snapshot of New Zealanders’ attitudes and behaviours on being environmentally sustainable. Subjects of the survey include: using water efficiently; organic waste reduction; managing electrical waste; energy efficiency; transportation; building and renovating sustainably; and taking sustainability into account for purchasing decisions.

Build business capability to create a ‘step change’ that results in better environmental outcomes (such as reduced waste and greater energy efficiency).

Achieved – A web-based Ecolabel Directory was launched in August 2008 in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development. Eight new product specifications for the Government-owned ecolabel, Environmental Choice NZ, were developed to support government procurement. Funding was provided to the Sustainable Business Network to support businesses to implement activities to improve environmental impacts (such as waste reduction and energy efficiency).

Influence business by demonstrating that sustainability results in improved economic, social and environmental well-being.

Partially achieved – Research was conducted on business perceptions of sustainability, business needs and local government business support programmes to inform business engagement policy. The Ministry’s partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise resulted in a number of programmes integrating a focus on sustainability. Of particular note was a conference on sustainable design for export companies in September 2008 and the integration of environmental thinking in New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s “Better by Design” programme.

The Ministry supported the integration of environmental criteria (Qualmark Green) into Qualmark’s quality accreditation system. Since August 2008, all Qualmark licence holders have been assessed against the environmental criteria. One hundred and ninety-six operators are now Qualmark Green rated and a further 300 are eligible to apply. The Ministry also continued to support the tourism sector through ongoing organisation and facilitation of the tourism waste working group.

Provide resources, information and training to Govt³ agencies (including working with the Ministry of Economic Development to deliver best practice guidance to the state sector on sustainable procurement policy); and develop and deliver programmes that influence behaviour change.

Achieved – Before Cabinet’s decision in March 2009 to discontinue the Govt³ programme, the Ministry held a comprehensive series of workshops on sustainable procurement, travel planning, waste, buildings and paper with a focus on reducing consumption and cost. The Ministry also launched the Paper Buyers’ Guide and the Sustainable Building Toolkit. Following the Cabinet decision, member agencies were advised of Cabinet’s expectation that they would continue to reduce their environmental impact, and of the voluntary tools that remained in place (eg, to support energy efficiency, sustainable procurement, transport planning, and sustainable building).

Foster household actions that protect and improve the environment and will have beneficial impacts on greenhouse gas emissions.

Achieved – The Ministry conducted and used research to inform the development of interventions to lessen the impact of the household sector on the environment. Interventions included public awareness activities, such as events, and the sustainability.govt.nz website. In March 2009, Cabinet decided to scale back the Sustainable Households Programme.

Develop strong strategic partnerships with local government, communities and business to effectively reach the target audience; and build capability in central, regional and local government to accelerate the uptake of environmentally sustainable behaviour in households.

Achieved – The Ministry supported the Sustainable Living Programme and Choices Programme, in partnership with local government and community groups. These programmes promote environmentally-sustainable action by households.

The Sustainable Water Programme of Action is implemented and local government has appropriate tools to manage fresh water. (Three national instruments implemented.)

Partially achieved –

• Submissions on the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management closed in April 2009.
• Submissions on the proposed National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows are being analysed.
• The National Environmental Standard for the Measurement of Water Takes has technical issues to be resolved regarding exemptions and the form of regulation. The implementation task force is progressing best practice guidance material.
• The joint Māori work programme research projects continue to be on track.

The Ministry provided a Cabinet paper in March 2009 on a strategic direction for fresh water. ‘New Start for Fresh Water’ was agreed by Government in June 2009, setting the direction for water reform, and a process for developing solutions.

Support implementation of the Lake Taupo Protection Programme by local government.

Achieved – The Lake Taupo Protection Trust is making significant progress towards achieving its target of reducing the amount of manageable nitrogen flowing into the lake by 20 per cent. Using the public funding provided by the Crown, Environment Waikato and the Taupo District Council, the Trust has purchased five farms with a view to securing nitrogen reductions by changing land use before re-selling, plus negotiating land-use changes on another property. These are expected to achieve a reduction in nitrogen emissions of 27.5 tonnes per annum – 18 of the 20 per cent referred to above.

Implement the National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water.

Partially achieved – The draft users’ guide for the National Environmental Standard and the supporting database on the compliance status of drinking-water treatment plants were prepared and distributed. Workshops with regional councils on implementing the standard are underway. Implementation will take place over a number of years.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord in improving water quality.

Achieved – The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry now leads the annual evaluation of progress against Accord targets. The Ministry for the Environment leads on implementing a water quality monitoring strategy associated with the Accord. While the strategy acknowledges that it is difficult to separate the specific impacts of Accord actions on water quality from other actions in dairy catchments, the Ministry has completed the first stage of work in monitoring water quality in predominantly dairy farming catchments. A baseline report on water quality in selected monitored dairy farming catchments, completed in June 2009, presents a national picture against which water quality trends in the catchments can be benchmarked over time. The Ministry expects to provide ongoing monitoring reports on water quality in the selected catchments every five years, using this baseline report as a reference point.

Investigate the potential for a water efficiency labelling scheme.

Achieved – The Ministry has been working with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs on the development of a water efficiency labelling scheme. A water efficiency labelling scheme will help consumers make informed purchase decisions by displaying comparative water efficiency labelling (and consumption) information at the point of sale. A draft version of the water efficiency labelling scheme regulations was released to a select group of stakeholders for consultation in May 2009. The submissions received from this process are now being considered by both the Ministry and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Prepare a Bill (which establishes new environmental controls to fill gaps for the regulation of environmental effects of activities in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone) for introduction into the House of Representatives and support the Bill through all stages of the House.

Not achieved – Original policy agreements have been superseded by proposals to give a future Environmental Protection Authority a role in regulation of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Further development of draft legislation is awaiting key Cabinet decisions.

Develop, provide and implement regulatory and non-regulatory tools to measure and minimise waste.

Achieved – The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 gained Royal Assent on 25 September 2008. The Act created a Waste Advisory Board, which was appointed in October 2008. Regulations relating to the Waste Disposal Levy of $10 per tonne were gazetted in May 2009, ready for commencement of the levy from 1 July 2009. An Online Waste Levy System has been implemented for waste disposal facility operators to submit monthly returns on waste tonnage that will be used to measure waste and calculate the levy.

Work with supply chains of products that become a priority to ensure that relevant parts of the chain take responsibility for effectively minimising waste from the product and manage any environmental harm from waste products.

Achieved – The Ministry continued to encourage industry sectors to develop voluntary product stewardship schemes for key waste streams, such as agricultural chemicals, waste tyres, and packaging. The first voluntary product stewardship scheme under the Waste Minimisation Act, for used lubricating oil, was accredited by the Minister in April 2009. Public submissions were received in May 2009 on priority items for product stewardship and work is on track to identify potential priority products in 2009/10.

Work with key stakeholders to improve diversion from landfill and encourage recycling, especially of construction and demolition, and organic waste.

Not achieved – Work on tools that will improve landfill diversion of construction and demolition waste was put on hold to divert resources to the implementation of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. Towards the end of 2008/09, the Ministry began working with stakeholders to enable progress to be made in 2009/10.

Develop a long-term monitoring and reporting framework for waste.

Achieved – A trial project with landfill operators on waste composition data collection was completed in May 2009. The Online Waste Levy System has been implemented for waste disposal facility operators to submit monthly returns on waste tonnage that will be used to measure waste and calculate the levy.

National guidance is provided on quality urban design.

Achieved – Submissions on the scope of a potential National Policy Statement (NPS) on Urban Design closed on 30 September 2008 and over 120 submissions were received. The summary of submissions report was published in March 2009 and is available on the Ministry’s website. Future consideration of the need for, and nature of, an NPS on urban design will form part of the urban planning work in the next phase of agreed resource management reforms.

Promote and administer the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.

Achieved – Urban Design Protocol Case Law Seminars were delivered in March 2009 and the third edition of the Urban Design Toolkit was released. Newsletters have been sent out to signatories each month. The newsletters provide links to the latest international urban design research and reports. There are currently 173 signatories to the Protocol. This is an increase on the figure reported in 2007/08.

Contribute to the sustainable development and transformation of Auckland.

Achieved – The Ministry contributed to the Government’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Auckland Governance. The Cabinet paper regarding the Government’s high-level response to Royal Commission Report was approved on 6 April 2009.

The Ministry contributed to legislation to establish the Auckland Council, which was passed, and further legislation on additional matters is before the Select Committee. Further work is underway on issues including an integrated planning framework for Auckland, allowing the successful transition to the new Auckland Council, water services, and achieving central government priorities in Auckland over the next 18 months. These will be reported back to Cabinet over the next several months and will feed into further legislation later in the year.

Produce regular updates for the core set of national environmental indicators from the state of the environment report.

Achieved – Four environmental report cards were published to update indicator information on marine protection, air quality, transport, and household consumption (13 variables). Energy and waste (five variables) were published in July. A full set of indicator information was made available in electronic format on the Ministry for the Environment website.

Technical reports were produced to update indicator information on physical and chemical river water quality, and fish community health. A technical report on periphyton (a potentially nuisance algae) in rivers was completed early in 2009/10.

Finalise an environmental reporting framework to guide national-level reporting on the state of the New Zealand environment.

Achieved – An independent review of the Environment New Zealand 2007 state of the environment report was completed in August 2008. This fed into a reporting framework, which was completed in February 2009. A technical guide to the set of national environmental indicators was completed in March 2009. Two national environmental reporting forums were held in August 2008 and April 2009.

Produce other occasional reports and surveys on selected aspects of the environment, in accordance with the environmental reporting framework.

Achieved –

• A solid waste audit survey was completed in December 2008.
• A national Good Practice Guide for Air Quality Monitoring and Data Management was completed in March 2009.
• The 2007/08 biennial Resource Management Act survey of local authorities report was completed in June 2009.
• A baseline report on water quality in selected monitored dairy farming catchments was completed in June 2009.
• Good progress was made in finalising national cyanobacteria (Algal Bloom) guidelines for fresh water.

National environmental standards and national policy statements are developed and implemented. (Three national environmental standards and three national policy statements.)

Partially achieved – National environmental standards (NES):

1. On-site Wastewater Systems NES – consultation on the proposed NES and a summary of submissions published.
2. Telecommunication Facilities NES – gazetted in October 2008, Users’ guide to NES prepared and workshops held with local government and industry. A six-month stocktake of the NES is being carried out to gauge effectiveness and identify learnings applicable to other NES.
3. Electricity Transmission NES – drafting instructions were sent to the Parliamentary Counsel Office and will be ready in July 2009. The proposed NES for electricity transmission risks is being re‑scoped.
4. Contaminated Land NES – progressing. Toxicological background work is being peer-reviewed externally, guidelines on site investigation and soil analysis are being reviewed, preliminary cost-benefit analysis is underway, and a draft discussion document is being developed.
5. Air Quality NES – a report on regional council implementation of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality was published online in June 2009. In June 2009, a review of the NES was also announced and a Minister-appointed Technical Advisory Board began work in July 2009.

Partially achieved – National policy statements (NPS):

1. Renewable Electricity Generation NPS – submissions have been summarised and the Board of Inquiry hearings started in April 2009.
2. Flood Risk Management NPS – a Board of Inquiry was appointed in August 2008, consultation on the draft National Policy Statement ended in December 2008, and a high level analysis of costs and benefits took place in February 2008.
3. Electricity Transmission NPS – guidance on implementation for councils (in association with Transpower, Local Government New Zealand and councils) is expected to be prepared in mid‑2009.

Monitor performance of the Resource Management Act, including local government performance, and provide sound advice to Ministers and others.

Achieved – The Ministry completed research reports on consent processing, consent costs, plan development, Resource Management Act enforcement, and Environment Court costs. These reports were used to identify areas of delays and costs, and to inform policy development for the first phase of the Resource Management Act reform.

The 2007/08 biennial Resource Management Act Survey of Local Authorities report was completed in June 2009. It examined local authority implementation of the RMA.

Assist Ministers with their statutory functions under the Resource Management Act, including processing call ins, water conservation orders and other interventions on projects of national significance.

Achieved –

• Kawarau River water conservation order amendment application – hearings were held from May – June 2009.
• Hurunui River water conservation order application – the hearing began on 13 March 2009.
• Oreti River water conservation order – this was gazetted in August 2008.
• Buller River water conservation amendment order – this was gazetted in September 2008.
• Requiring authorities – 12 new applications for approval have been received since June 2008. Five requiring authority applications were approved and gazetted in March 2009.
• Crown submissions (three) – concluding Mahinerangi and Project Hayes wind farm applications in Central Otago through Environment Court processes; and submitting on Central Wind wind farm consent application near Waiouru.

Provide best practice advice and assistance to local government, practitioners, public, business and iwi to improve understanding of the Resource Management Act.

Achieved –

• Making Good Decisions – 354 people attended courses under the ‘Making Good Decisions’ banner. The sixth edition of The Decision-maker newsletter was published electronically in December 2008.
• RMA training with the Society of Local Government Managers – two training workshops are now annual fixtures – RMA Hearings Administrators’ Training, and RMA Technicians’ Training. A workshop was held in June 2009. Another will be held in October 2009. A new one-day workshop on RMA fundamentals was delivered in May and June. Another workshop will be held in August 2009. RMA Plan Administrators training is under development.
• Quality planning: Seven new and 16 updated guidance notes were published on the Quality Planning website. Five research reports have also been published. The Quality Planning newsletter ‘QP News’ was significantly upgraded.

Implement the statutory obligations that arise from Treaty of Waitangi claims of settlements and foreshore and seabed agreements.

Not achieved – Implementation of the foreshore and seabed agreements is on hold pending the review of the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Where Cabinet decides, negotiate and implement environment cooperation agreements in the context of new and existing free trade agreements.

Achieved – A Memorandum of Agreement on Environmental Cooperation with the Philippines was signed. A Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation with Indonesia and an Agreement on Environmental Cooperation with Malaysia were concluded. Negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Hong Kong and Korea were progressed. Cooperation programmes with Trans Pacific (P4) partners (Chile, Singapore and Brunei), with Thailand and with China were advanced.

Engage with and contribute to the work of relevant international environmental organisations and to debate in the development of international protocols.

Achieved – The Ministry contributed to, and attended, several international meetings including: United Nations Environment Programme, Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, OECD Environment Policy Committee, OECD Joint Working Party on Trade and Environment, and OECD Global Forum on Trade and Climate Change.

Provide appropriate statutory frameworks and policies to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act and the Ozone Layer Protection Act.

Achieved – Work on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Organisms Prescribed as Not New Organisms) Regulations 2009 (SR 2009/143) was completed and the regulations came into effect on 19 June 2009. The Ministry provided advice to Cabinet on regulatory options to improve compliance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act and has sought approval to develop infringement notice regulations.

Provide appropriate leadership amongst key agencies to clarify roles and responsibilities in support of the Hazardous Substances Compliance and Enforcement Strategy.

Achieved – The Ministry initiated the establishment of a strategic group to oversee the implementation of the Hazardous Substances Compliance and Enforcement Strategy. Extensive work was done with the Department of Labour and ERMA New Zealand in presentations of the strategy to the Department of Labour regional managers and to the Workplace Health and Safety Council. Work is continuing to develop options to improve hazardous substances compliance (incorporating outcomes from the Test Certifier Regime Review).

Support the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and the Minister in meeting their statutory obligations.

Achieved – The Ministry supported ERMA New Zealand staff in the development of its annual Monitoring Report, Hazardous Substances Compliance and Enforcement Intentions Report, four Quarterly Reports (fourth, first, second and third quarters), Annual Report, two six-monthly reports on performance of Crown entities to the State Services Commission and Treasury, draft Statement of Intent, Fees and Charges Review plus associated briefings to the Minister. The Ministry provided the support necessary to ensure compliance with Ministerial obligations, notably in relation to appointments to the Authority, call in and statutory and regulatory amendments.

2,374

1,248

Number of Ministerial correspondence.¹

1,196

N/A

87%

90%

The percentages of Ministerial drafts provided for the Ministers’ signature are accurate.

83%

90%

91%

85%

The percentages of draft Ministerial replies are completed within 10 working days of receipt by the Ministry.²

82%

95%

71

122

Number of departmental Official Information Act requests.

77

N/A

83%

65%

The percentage of Departmental Official Information Act requests sent out within statutory deadlines.

71%

100%

65

80

Number of Ministerial Official Information Act requests.

98

N/A

75%

68%

The percentage of Ministerial Official Information Act requests sent to the Ministers’ Offices within timeframes.

71%

100%

478

317

Number of Parliamentary Questions.

317

N/A

93%

98%

The percentage of Parliamentary Questions (including supplementary questions) sent to the Ministers’ Offices within timeframes.

100%

100%

Revenue:

1,333

Crown

913

1,333

913

8

Departmental

9

6

6

1,341

Total revenue

922

1,339

919

1,312

Total expenses

815

1,339

919

29

Net surplus

107

0

0

The Bioethics Council provides information to, and interacts effectively with, its stakeholders.

Achieved – The Council appointed a working group on nanotechnology that delivered a draft project plan on a public engagement project to the Council in October 2008. As part of that plan it held a two-day symposium on nanotechnology that included scientists, researchers, regulators and non-government organisations. The results of this symposium can be viewed on the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology website. In March 2009, Cabinet decided to disestablish the Bioethics Council.

Revenue:

1,100

Crown

1,100

1,100

1,100

1,100

Total revenue

1,100

1,100

1,100

1,007

Total expenses

1,100

1,100

1,100

93

Net surplus

0

0

0

All funding is allocated according to fund criteria; all contracted environmental programmes delivered by third parties are managed and monitored.

Achieved – $10 million was allocated to the community, non-governmental organisations, industry and regional government to undertake environment programmes. These programmes included contaminated sites clean-ups, aquaculture planning, resource management initiatives, and community driven environmental management. All funding was allocated according to fund criteria and relevant contracts were managed and monitored appropriately.

Revenue:

93

Other

126

198

178

93

Total revenue

126

198

178

93

Total expenses

126

198

178

0

Net surplus

0

0

0

800 tonnes of scrap metal is removed from the Cook Islands.

Not achieved – The total shipped in 2008/09 was 392 tonnes, bringing the total since the project began on 1 July 2006 to 2,077 tonnes. In 2008/09, recovery slowed due to world scrap metal prices falling by about 70 per cent. Recycling Cook Islands then processed heavy gauge and non-ferrous metals only. The Ministry assisted Recycling Cook Islands with the purchase of new hydraulic shear to help improve productivity and profitability in the future.

Revenue:

1,502

Other

1,719

464

2,824

1,502

Total revenue

1,719

464

2,824

1,502

Total expenses

1,719

464

2,824

0

Net surplus

0

0

0

100 per cent of applications are assessed in accordance with statutory requirements.

Achieved –

• Contact Energy’s Te Mihi Geothermal power station proposal call-in process was completed in September 2008. The Board granted consent for the proposal.
• Transpower’s Upper North Island Grid Upgrade Proposal – the Board of Inquiry hearing ended on 31 October 2008 after 72 days. The Board released a draft decision to grant the applications on 26 May 2009.
• Contact Energy Hauāuru mā raki (Waikato Wind Farm) – the hearing started 27 April 2009. The hearing adjourned in May 2009 for 12 months on Contact’s request.
• Mighty River Power’s Turitea Wind Farm Proposal – 702 submissions were received. The hearing began on 6 July 2009.
• Unison Networks Te Waka Wind Farm Proposal – proposal was referred to the Environment Court in January 2008. Decision to decline the applications for the wind farm was made by the Environment Court in December 2008.

Capital expenditure appropriation:

448

Property, plant and equipment

340

390

340

968

Intangibles

1,584

3,040

1,584

1,416

Total capital expenditure appropriation:

1,924

3,430

1,924

916

Total expenses

1,762

3,430

1,924

500

Net surplus

162

0

0

Performance target

2008/09 Performance

The Land Use and Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS) database is developed and implemented by 30 June 2009.

Achieved – As at 30 June, all core components of the LUCAS application had been delivered, tested and accepted for the 2008 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. The application combines geospatial information (maps) with carbon models and produces data in the format required for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Actual 30/06/2008
$000

Actual 30/06/2009
$000

Main estimates 30/06/2009
$000

Supplementary estimates 30/06/2009
$000

Revenue:

7,035

Crown

9,181

12,238

12,081

7,035

Total revenue

9,181

12,238

12,081

6,251

Total expenses

9,122

12,238

12,081

784

Net surplus

59

0

0

Meet the UNFCCC reporting requirements and pass the Good Practice Guidance Review.

Achieved – The annual inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and removals as required by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the supplementary information under the Kyoto Protocol was compiled and submitted by the 15 April 2009 deadline. The inventory will be reviewed in September 2009.

A draft of New Zealand’s fifth national communication to the UNFCCC was completed and will be ready for submission to the UNFCCC by the 1 January 2010 deadline.

Revenue:

14,070

Crown

11,976

19,064

12,648

65

Departmental

80

55

55

14,135

Total revenue

12,056

19,119

12,703

12,478

Total expenses

11,876

19,119

12,703

1,657

Net surplus

180

0

0

New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme implemented for pre-1990 forestry and liquid fossil fuels sectors.

Achieved – The forestry sector has entered into the Emissions Trading Scheme. Eight million New Zealand Units have been issued into the Crown Holding Account in the New Zealand Emissions Unit Register, some of which were transferred into the accounts of eligible post-1989 forest owners in early April 2009. Regulations for the liquid fossil fuels sector are in place for the sector to fully enter the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2011 with voluntary reporting beginning in 2009.

Planned milestones met for allocation of pre-1990 forestry units and inclusion of remaining sectors in 2010 (stationary energy and industrial processes).

Achieved – The submission deadline for the forestry allocation plan was extended until 30 April 2009. Work is underway on developing and consulting on the regulations for the stationary energy and industrial sector for their entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2010. At present no work or allocation plans are underway for this sector. The Ministry is mindful that the review processes and possible legislative amendment to the Climate Change Response Act 2002 may change the entry date of sectors and subsequent implementation plans. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, under delegated authority, consulted on a draft forestry allocation plan.

Planned milestones met for inclusion of remaining sectors in 2013 (agriculture, waste and other).

Achieved – In conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry a report from the Agriculture Technical Advisory Group was provided to Ministers in early 2009. Planned milestones are being met for the entry of other sectors into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2013.

International submission and negotiating timelines for New Zealand’s position on climate change are met (100 per cent of deadlines).

Achieved – All 29 submissions were made in accordance with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change processes and timelines.

Engage with sectors on climate change adaptation policies and implementation (100 per cent of planned sectors).

Achieved – The Ministry has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders through presentations and attending meetings and conferences. Audiences include central government, local government, engineers, insurers, surveyors, lifeline utilities groups, planners, researchers and students.

Lead the implementation of the Carbon Neutral Public Service Programme to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in government agencies.

Emissions inventories and reduction plans are developed and monitored annually (34 agencies).

Achieved until Cabinet decided on 9 March 2009 to discontinue the programme – Emissions inventories and reduction plans were developed and reported annually for 34 agencies. Indigenous forestry offset projects were progressed with the Department of Conservation on Crown land, and contracts for purchasing emissions units were successfully entered into. Officials are closing out existing contractual commitments and maintaining relationships.

Provide support to Ministers in legislating for an Emissions Trading Scheme.

Achieved – In the first quarter of the 2008/09 year the Climate Change Response Act 2002 was amended to implement an Emissions Trading Scheme. Since then, the forestry sector has entered the scheme and work is underway in preparation for the entry of the other sectors into the scheme. The Ministry has provided support and advice to the Minister on the scheduling and timing implications of the Emissions Trading Select Committee review, the immediate legislative amendment, and a possible further substantive legislative amendment. The Ministry is also working through options for harmonising the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme with the Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. In June 2009, the Act was amended to delay aspects of the Act relating to forestry.

Meeting international and domestic reporting obligations, including building and implementing the Land Use and Carbon Analysis System (LUCAS) to meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.

Achieved – The annual update of the ‘net position’ report – the projected balance of units over the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol was compiled and released in April 2010. The report will undergo international review in August 2009.

(See Departmental Capital Expenditure for information on the Land Use and Carbon Analysis System.)

Contribute to New Zealand’s efforts to negotiate a comprehensive post-2012 international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol

Achieved – The Ministry played a full part in United Nations negotiations in Poznan in December 2008. It worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to secure Cabinet decisions on New Zealand’s negotiating position for subsequent negotiations in Bonn in late March 2009 and early June 2009.

The Ministry also completed work on greenhouse gas emissions analysis and long-term projections of emissions and removals in support of New Zealand’s negotiating position.

Effective partnerships with science researchers, central government and local government to develop national guidance so that local government and business can prepare for climate change.

Achieved –

• A national environmental standard on coping with sea-level rise is being scoped. A draft discussion document was completed by 30 June 2009.
• Approximately 1700 climate change adaptation packs have been distributed since 1 July 2008. Four documents providing local government with guidance regarding climate change have been published. There have been two updates to technical manuals and their summaries.

Lead the whole-of-government policy work programme on climate change.

Achieved – The Ministry chairs the cross-departmental Chief Executives’ governance group for the whole-of-government climate change programme. This group meets on a monthly basis to review progress and identify and manage any risks around implementing the programme. This governance role continues to be supported by a number of steering and working groups providing follow through on coordination and implementation tasks.

Assess possible areas of untapped, cost effective, Kyoto-compliant abatement.

Not achieved – This is on hold while the Emissions Trading Scheme is under Select Committee review. We will need to establish how existing policies work in the context of the amended Emissions Trading Scheme before possible further areas of untapped abatement can be identified.

Revenue:

516

Crown

100

300

140

516

Total revenue

100

300

140

296

Total expenses

70

300

140

220

Net surplus

30

0

0

Three case studies to assist councils to implement energy efficiency in households.

Not achieved – Some progress was made, but staff working on this were diverted to higher priority work areas (eg, Waste Act implementation) and this work was not completed.

Develop up to three partnerships with industry to develop business opportunities relating to the provision of energy efficient products and services to households.

Partially achieved – The Ministry worked with the Department of Building and Housing, the Ministry of Economic Development, EECA and industry to scope the business case and technical factors of a Residential Rating Tool that rates the energy efficiency of homes along with other factors such as health, warmth and resource efficiency. A Residential Rating Tool Scoping Document was completed on 30 June 2009. It included a market segmentation consumer needs analysis, building industry needs assessment, and assessment of the technical factors of the rating tool. The rating tool is seen as an important precursor to enabling industry to develop effective solutions, products and services for home owners to improve the performance of their homes in terms of energy efficiency, health and overall performance.