Energy and the environment

It's essential that responsible environmental management is integrated into the development and efficient use of energy resources.

There are a number of laws and initiatives to ensure best practice environmental management for energy projects.

The role of the Resource Management Act

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is New Zealand's main piece of legislation that sets out how we should manage our environment.

Offshore environmental management

Proposed laws have been introduced to Parliament that will manage the environmental effects of activities such as petroleum exploration and mining within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Extended Continental Shelf (ECS).

New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme

New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) is the prime means to reduce emissions from the energy sector, and other sectors across the economy. A price on carbon is already encouraging greater investment in renewable energy.

Material incorporated in climate change regulations

New Zealand’s climate change regulations reference a wide range of materials provided here.

Carbon capture and storage

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one proposal to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. It would remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from waste gases produced during large-scale industrial processes and permanently store it underground.

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