Assessments for carbon removals

While forestry is already a critical part of New Zealand’s approach to removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, the Government also wants to encourage people and organisations to explore other ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Recognising non-forest carbon removals is a key policy in the second emissions reduction plan.

Interested people and organisations can now apply for the Ministry to conduct a scientific assessment of the effectiveness of specific carbon removal activities under the Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals (November 2025).

See Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals.

The science assessments will consider the effectiveness of carbon removal activities (actions and technologies) rather than on specific carbon removal projects. By undertaking these science assessments, the Ministry aims to increase the science base for carbon removal activities that may be conducted in New Zealand.

Following an assessment, the Ministry will publish information about whether the science demonstrates a carbon removal activity is effective. This information will support both the applicant and other parties interested in undertaking a project to deliver the carbon removal activity.  The Ministry will not publish any information that is confidential to the applicant. 

Carbon removal activities refer to deliberate technologies, practices and approaches that remove and durably store CO2 from the atmosphere.

The Guide for Applicants outlines that the Ministry will consider applications for science assessments for a removal activity that:

• is an activity rather than a project
• meets the definition provided above
• would occur within the territorial limits of New Zealand, including the coastal marine area
• is permitted under domestic and international law and is consistent with international agreements and obligations.

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

The Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals (published November 2025) supports people and organisations who are interested in activities that remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere.

The Assessment Framework has three key stages

Carbon removal activities vary widely in their level of scientific maturity, with some supported by extensive research and others still requiring foundational research, field trials and validation. While this can be a lengthy process, it is essential to maintain integrity and confidence that activities deliver genuine, measurable and long‑term carbon removals.

Increasing carbon removals is essential to address climate change. Under the Assessment Framework, the Ministry will fund and conduct science assessments so that people and organisations can be informed about whether specific activities are scientifically demonstrated to be effective.

A science assessment demonstrating that an activity is effective is a prerequisite before any new carbon removal activities can be considered for inclusion in our New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To be included in the NZ ETS and/or NDCs, the activity will need to be able to be tracked at a national scale.

Having a science assessment is not a prerequisite for people and organisations that intend to participate in voluntary markets. 

People and organisations interested in applying for a science assessment of a carbon removal activity should:

• Read the Guide for Applicants which explains the application process steps and the scientific criteria that would be applied in a science assessment of a carbon removal activity.
• Collect as much evidence as they can about the efficacy of the specific carbon removal activity they are interested in to include in the application to the Ministry for a science assessment.
• Use the Carbon Removal Activity Check, a self-assessment tool which allows you to test the level of evidence you have for the carbon removal activity against the scientific criteria that would be applied by assessors in a science assessment.
  
  See the Carbon Removal Activity Check (MS Forms)
• Make an application for a science assessment either by:
  • using the application portal
  • filling in a Microsoft Word application form and emailing us at carbonremovals@mfe.govt.nz 

See the online application for science assessment carbon removal form.

See the Microsoft word application form for science assessment carbon removal form.

After a science assessment, the Ministry will communicate directly with the applicant. The Ministry will also publish the results of each science assessment on this webpage to provide transparent information to other interested parties.

If a science assessment shows the carbon removal activity is effective, the Government will consider whether to conduct an inclusion assessment. The aim of this assessment would be to consider a wide range of factors alongside the science assessment outcome to determine whether to include the activity in the NZ ETS and/or NDCs.

As we process applications, this webpage will be updated with an application register showing both the results of applications, and any completed science assessment outcome reports.

We have a dedicated email address for applications and enquiries about the Ministry’s role in supporting carbon removal activities in New Zealand. You can contact us at carbonremovals@mfe.govt.nz.