NEW ZEALAND Law and Practice Contributed by: Josh Williams, Anderson Lloyd
• 10% less biogenic methane emissions than 2017 levels by 2030; and • 24–47% less biogenic methane emissions than 2017 levels by 2050. Domestic Targets New Zealand’s long-term climate targets are set under the CCRA, including a split-gas approach distinguish - ing between long-lived greenhouse gases and bio - genic methane. In December 2025, the biogenic methane component of the 2050 target was amended. The current statutory target requires: • a reduction in biogenic methane emissions of 14–24% below 2017 levels by 2050; and • a 10% reduction below 2017 levels by 2030 (unchanged). This replaces the previous 2050 target range of 24–47% below 2017 levels. The revised target reflects a policy shift towards an objective of “no additional warming” from biogenic methane, and is intended to balance emissions reduction objectives with maintain - ing agricultural productivity. The net zero target for long-lived gases by 2050 remains unchanged. The government is also required to review the 2050 targets periodically, including a further review of the methane target scheduled for 2040. These changes are expected to have ongoing implications for the agriculture sector and the overall trajectory of emis - sions reductions in New Zealand. Resource Management Act and Planning Framework The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) remains the principal statute governing the use of land, air and water, including the consideration of climate change effects in planning and consenting decisions. Under the RMA, decision-makers are required to: • have particular regard to the effects of climate change; and
• recognise and provide for the management of sig - nificant risks from natural hazards. Amendments in 2020 removed previous restrictions on considering the effects of greenhouse gas emissions in planning processes and require decision-makers to have regard to national climate policy instruments such as emissions reduction plans and national adap - tation strategies. However, New Zealand’s resource management sys - tem is currently undergoing significant reform. In December 2025, the government introduced two Bills intended to replace the RMA: • a Planning Bill, which will regulate land use and development; and • a Natural Environment Bill, which will regulate the use and protection of natural resources. These reforms are expected to simplify planning pro - cesses, reduce the number of plans and consents required, and introduce a more standardised and streamlined national system. The legislation is expect - ed to be enacted in 2026, with staged implementation over a multi-year transition period. In parallel with this longer-term reform, the govern - ment has implemented a number of transitional meas - ures, including: • the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024, which estab - lishes an alternative consenting pathway for pro - jects of regional or national significance. The fast- track regime has been further amended (effective 2026) to streamline application processes, reduce consultation requirements and shorten decision- making timeframes; and • targeted amendments to the RMA, including extensions to consent durations and measures to facilitate infrastructure and renewable energy development. While the RMA remains in force for now, the system is in a transitional phase. Climate change considera - tions remain relevant to planning and consenting deci - sions, but the manner in which these considerations
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