Emissions Fell Across Every Sector In New Zealand In 2023 (2025)

Wellington, New Zealand: Aotearoa NewZealand reduced its gross greenhouse gas emissions by 2 percent in 2023.

That is about the same as the emissionsproduced by a quarter of New Zealand cars in ayear.

NewZealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2023),released today, shows gross emissions (total emissions otherthan forestry) were 76.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxideequivalent (Mt CO2-e) in 2023, 1.6 Mt CO2-e lower than in2022.

Forests and other land uses absorbed 26 per centof total emissions, meaning New Zealand’s net emissionsdropped to 56.2 Mt CO2-e in 2023. Net emissions were 4 percent lower than in 2022.

The Inventory is the officialreport of all emissions produced and removed by humanactivities within New Zealand, and is compiled every year bythe Ministry for the Environment.

Alison Collins,departmental chief science advisor at the Ministry, said:“New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory is like abalance sheet which provides us with data about emissionsacross different sectors of the economy. Access to robustevidence is vital for understanding our contribution toglobal climate change.

“Thiscomprehensive record of New Zealand's emissions and removalsfollows internationally recognized guidelines. It providesessential insights into New Zealand's current situation andhistorical trends, so we can understand where our emissionscome from, pinpoint areas for improvement, and make informeddecisions as a country about how we address challenges andprepare for the future.”

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There was a 2per cent drop in agricultural emissions in 2023, due toreduced numbers of sheep, dairy cattle and beef cattle.Agricultural emissions have been falling since 2014, mainlybecause of reducing livestock populations enabled byimproved productivity. Agricultural emissions are alsoinfluenced by market forces such as the price of fertiliser,and the price of emissions in New Zealand’s EmissionsTrading Scheme.

Renewable electricity generationcontributed to a 1 per cent fall in emissions from theenergy sector in 2023. Like 2022, 2023 was a wet year thatwas good for hydroelectricity generation, meaning NewZealand used less coal and gas. The closure of Marsden Pointalso contributed, with zero emissions from petroleumrefining in 2023.

There were also decreases inemissions from the industrial processes and waste sectors,and Tokelau, which reports its emissions in the Inventory.These sectors make up much smaller proportions of NewZealand’s emissions.

New Zealand’sGreenhouse Gas Inventory tracks emissions since 1990. NewZealand's gross emissions climbed in the 1990s until a peakin 2006. Since then, they have been relatively stable. Grossemissions fell in 2022 and 2023.

TheInventory covers historical emissions. Other reports provideinformation on progress towards emissions reduction targets.Projectionsreleased last December suggest New Zealand’s emissionswill fall between now and 2050 as we continue to implementemissions reduction plans.

Breakdown of NewZealand’s emissions (in Mt CO2-e) by sector in2023

(Net emissions from the LULUCF sectorare negative because the sector removes more from theatmosphere than it emits.)

NewZealand’s gross and net emissions (in Mt CO2-e) from 1990to 2023

Comparisonbetween New Zealand’s population and gross emissions percapita

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