12 Apr 2012

NZ 'on track' to meet Kyoto carbon commitments

9:09 pm on 12 April 2012

New Zealand is on track to meet its Kyoto commitments, according to the latest data on carbon.

The Net Position on carbon forecasts how much New Zealand's emissions will be above or below the Kyoto protocol target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels.

Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser says there will be a surplus of 23.1 million tonnes for the Kyoto period of 2008-2012. He says that is slightly above last year's forecast of 21.9 million.

The current carbon price of $NZ8.20 per tonne of carbon means the surplus has an estimated value of $189 million.

Meanwhile, an assessment of New Zealand's gross emissions shows they increased by 0.2% from 2009 to 2010, to 71.7 million tonnes.