The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) remains one of the government’s key tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is accessed by mandatory and voluntary participants in a range of sectors – with the forestry sector having a significant role in providing carbon removals and making carbon units available for trade. The ETS has a long history of reform and is underpinned by complex legislation. Over the past few years, the future of the ETS and the carbon market has also been subject to considerable uncertainty. While some further reform is proposed, the current Government is promising stability and certainty for the market.

Our comprehensive workshop is designed to help you understand the fundamentals of the ETS framework and what is under review, the role of forestry within the ETS, and the functioning of the New Zealand carbon market. 

The sessions are highly recommended for anyone with an interest or practical involvement in the ETS who wants to have more impact in their organisation and the market. The sessions are also a great way to meet your Continuing Professional Development commitments within your role. Depending on your interest in the ETS, you may wish to attend all three workshops or attend individual workshops.

A comprehensive workbook will be provided for each workshop. The workbook will include overviews of each topic and specific tools and resources to apply your learnings within your business.

Part one: ETS fundamentals

This session will provide an overview of the ETS, including:

• the origins and purpose of the ETS; 
• fundamental working principles of the ETS (how it works);
• an overview of the sectors affected by the ETS;
• registration and participation in the ETS; 
• emissions units;
• emissions rulings; 
• obligations, offences, and penalties arising under the Climate Change Response Act 2002; 
• tax treatment of NZUs and NZU Securitisation Arrangements; and
• the status of reform of the ETS (recent and upcoming changes). 

Part two: The critical role of forestry in the ETS

This session will focus on the forestry sector’s participation in the ETS as the main source of carbon removals in New Zealand, and will cover: 

• the different types of forest land that can be registered in the ETS;
• accounting methodologies;
• participant obligations;
• considerations for conversion from production to permanent forestry;
• dealing with temporary adverse events;
• emissions returns;
• transmissions of interest; 
• key considerations for forestry transactions; and
• market considerations.

Part three: The New Zealand carbon market

This session will take a deep dive into the function of the New Zealand carbon market, and will cover: 

• how carbon units are bought and sold;
• ETS auctions;
• auction price controls and how they are set;
• trading on the secondary market;
• use of NZUs as collateral to raise finance;
• market governance of the ETS; 
• regulation of NZUs within the financial services sector; and
• voluntary carbon schemes.

Details

Part one: ETS fundamentals

• Tuesday, 11 March 2025
• 2pm NZDT / 12pm AEDT / 9pm EDT (Monday, 12 March)
• 1 hour 20 mins duration

Part two: The critical role of forestry in the ETS

• Tuesday, 18 March 2025
• 2pm NZDT / 12pm AEDT / 9pm EDT (Monday, 18 March)
• 1 hour 20 mins duration

Part three: The New Zealand carbon market

• Tuesday, 25 March 2025
• 2pm NZDT / 12pm AEDT / 9pm EDT (Monday, 24 March)
• 1 hour 20 mins duration

You can choose to attend the entire series or individual sessions.

All sessions will be held online viaZoom. 

Cost

NZD1,450 +GST for all three sessions, NZD550 +GST for one session. 

Payments are collected via PayPal, including credit card payment option. Once we have received your payment you will be sent a Zoom link.

Register and Pay

For general enquiries please contact our events team: [email protected]