This page outlines upcoming events such as auctions, Government announcements and policies, dates for report releases and decisions related to the ETS.
We do our best to keep the information current, but things can change quickly and there may be other events or information that may influence the ETS market that aren't included.
Description
Schedule
19 March 2025
18 June 2025
10 September 2025
3 December 2025
Description
This is where you can find out more details on auctions. The auctions sell New Zealand units (NZUs) directly to the market.
Schedule
Annually, by 30 September
Description
Annual emissions return – emissions reporting [Environmental Protection Authority]
An emissions return contains the data about the emissions produced by activities for the previous calendar year. This must be provided to the EPA.
Schedule
Annually, 31 March
Description
Application for industrial allocation [Environmental Protection Authority]
An industrial allocation is an allocation of units given to a business carrying out an activity which is impacted by the ETS.
Schedule
Annually, 30 April
Description
Compliance deadline for NZU surrenders [Environmental Protection Authority]
Some participants are required to acquire and surrender New Zealand Units to meet their ETS obligations.
Schedule
Annually, 31 May
Description
Emissions returns and mandatory emissions return periods in the ETS [MPI]
Participants registered in the ETS with post-1989 forest land must submit an emissions return at the end of a MERP. This has previously been known as a "mandatory emission return (MER)". It is also known as a "final emissions return" in the ETS legislation.
Schedule
Every 3 or 5 Years
Current MERP 2022 - 2025: 1 January to 30 June 2026.
Next MERP 2026 - 2030: 1 January to 30 June 2031.
Description
Emissions returns and mandatory emissions return periods in the ETS [MPI]
Participants registered in the ETS with post-1989 forest land can choose to submit emissions returns during a MERP after the end of each calendar year. This is optional. This has previously been known as a "voluntary emissions return (VER)".
Schedule
Annually, 30 June
Description
ETS fees and charges [MPI]
This is an annual charge for being registered in the ETS with post-1989 forest land. The charge is calculated for the financial year, based on the amount of land held in the ETS on 1 July.
Schedule
Annually, July
Description
About the emissions reduction plan
The ERP outlines how New Zealand will reduce emissions and sets out actions to meet our emissions budgets. These budgets are stepping stones to our 2050 targets.
Schedule
Every 5 years
Next update
The 3rd ERP covers the emission budget for 2031 to 2035 and will be published before the end of 2029.
Description
Advice on emissions budgets [Climate Change Commission]
The CCC reviews and provides advice to the Government on New Zealand’s current and next emissions budgets.
Schedule
Every 5 years
Next update
December 2029
Description
Advice on NZ ETS settings [Climate Change Commission]
The CCC provides advice to the Government on current and future ETS unit supply and price control settings.
Schedule
Annually, early year
Description
Annual updates to emission unit limits and price control settings
The Government seeks feedback on its annual review of auction settings and other regulations for the ETS. This is followed by a proactive release of the Cabinet paper.
Schedule
Annually, by 31 May
Description
Annual updates to emission unit limits and price control settings
The Minister of Climate Change is required to update unit limits and price control settings in the NZ ETS every year.
Schedule
Annually, by 30 September
Description
Carbon markets reports [Environmental Protection Authority]
This contains information on transaction trends and volumes, emission units transferred, privately held units and historical data.
Schedule
Monthly, 1st 2 working days
Description
Voluntary unit cancellations report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This shows voluntary unit cancellation information for those account holders who have opted to have their cancellation information published.
Schedule
Monthly, 1st 2 working days
Description
ETS unit movement report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This shows the ETS unit movements, including surrenders, allocations, and removal entitlements.
Schedule
Quarterly, 1st week of January, April, July, October
Description
Privately held units report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This shows total account balances filtered by unit types.
Schedule
Quarterly, 1st week of January, April, July, October
Description
Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Levy report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This contains information in relation to leviable goods imported and leviable motor vehicles.
Schedule
Quarterly, 1st week of January, April, July, October
Description
Participants in the ETS [Environmental Protection Authority]
This shows the total number of participants registered and removed from the register for each activity.
Schedule
Quarterly, 1st week of January, April, July, October
Emissions returns report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This report has participant data on emissions and removals of greenhouse gases.
Annually, mid-August
Description
Participant non-compliance report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This report shows the number of participants who failed to comply with their obligation to submit an emissions return or surrender or repay units.
Schedule
Annually, mid-August
Description
Penalties report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This report includes information on penalties imposed and amounts still owing on previous penalties.
Schedule
Annually, mid-August
Description
Industrial allocation report [Environmental Protection Authority]
This report shows the total number of units allocated less any units repaid.
Schedule
Annually, mid-August
Description
New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas lnventory
This includes all human-induced emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in New Zealand. It is a key data source for tracking New Zealand's domestic and international emissions targets.
Schedule
Annually, by 15 April
Description
Monitoring report [Climate Change Commission]
This reports on progress towards meeting emissions budgets, emissions reduction plans, and the 2050 target.
Schedule
Annually, mid-year
Description
New Zealand’s projected greenhouse gas emissions to 2050
These projections estimate New Zealand's future greenhouse gas emissions by sector and gas from end point of inventory to 2050.
Schedule
Annually
Next release
December 2025 for ‘with additional measures’ scenario.
Description
Electricity Demand and Generation Scenarios [Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment]
The EDGS explores potential future electricity demand, and the generation capacity needed to meet that demand, out to 2050.
Schedule
Every 5 years
Next release
2029
Description
Government Target 9 quarterly reporting
In 2024, Cabinet set nine government targets, to focus the public sector on achieving improved results in health, law and order, work, housing and the environment. Target 9 is focused on making sure New Zealand is on track to meet its 2050 net zero climate change commitments, with total net greenhouse gas emissions of no more than 290 megatonnes from 2022 to 2025 and 305 megatonnes from 2026 to 2030.
Schedule
Quarterly, March, June, September, December
Description
Financial statements of the Government [Treasury]
These outline what the Treasury observes in the current economic and fiscal climate, what might be seen in the future, and what risks may be present over the forecast period. They provide insight on economic trends.
Schedule
Monthly and annually (year-end)
Description
Budget Economic and Fiscal Update [Treasury]
The Budget Update outlines what the Treasury observes in our current economic and fiscal climate, what we might see in the future, and what risks we may face over the forecast period. This gives an indication of what the economy is most likely to do to inform decision-making.
Schedule
Annually, by end of May
Description
Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update [Treasury]
This update outlines what the Treasury observes in our current economic climate and what we might see in the future. It gives an indication of the outlook for the economy and the Government's fiscal position for accountability purposes and inform decision-making.
Schedule
Annually, December
Description
Long-term fiscal position statement [Treasury]
This describes trends and pressures on spending, revenue, the fiscal operating balance and public debt over this period, based on current policy settings, recent history, and likely long-term developments in key areas.
Schedule
Every 4 years
Next release
2025
Description
Investment statements [Treasury]
These describe the state and value of significant assets and liabilities; how those have changed in value over time; how they are forecast to change over at least the next two years; and changes since the last statement.
Schedule
Every 4 years
Next release
2026
Description
Ngā Kōrero Āhuarangi me te Ōhanga – Climate Economic and Fiscal Assessment [Treasury]
This is jointly produced by the Treasury and the Ministry for the Environment. It brings together information on the economic and fiscal implications of climate change and New Zealand's response to it.
Schedule
Periodically
If you have feedback on this page or would like to receive the ETS related updates and announcements via email, please contact ETSFeedback@mfe.govt.nz