Archived publication

This publication is no longer current or has been superseded.

2. Statement of Service Performance for the Year Ended 30 June 2008

Vote: Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Output Class: Carbon Monitoring Programme

Through this output class, the Minister purchased the development and implementation of the New Zealand Carbon Monitoring Programme. It ensures data entering our carbon accounting system on our land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) data in our Greenhouse Gas Inventory is robust, meets international requirements, and underpins the economic return on sink credits.

Resources employed

Actual
30/06/2007
$000		   Actual
30/06/2008
$000 		Main estimates
30/06/2008
$000 		Supplementary estimates
30/06/2008
$000
  Revenue:      
4,731 Crown 7,035 11,364 7,037
4,731 Total revenue 7,035 11,364 7,037
4,731 Total expenses 6,251 11,364 7,037
0 Net surplus 784 0 0

Output: Develop the Carbon Accounting System to meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol.

  • New Zealand’s Carbon Accounting System meets international reporting requirements and deadlines.

  • The accounting system feeds directly into New Zealand’s annual greenhouse gas inventory report.

    Note these two performance measures have changed in agreement with the Minister to the following performance measures.

Performance Measure 2007/08 Performance
Analyse the data gathered under the 5 year natural forests data capture programme for carbon stock and change for reporting under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol and as input to New Zealand’s post-2012 position at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference of parties meeting in December 2007. Partially achieved – The natural forest data has been captured and an initial quality assurance is underway. Analysis of the data is being completed by Scion and they are on track to complete the analysis by 22 December 2008.
Determine the need and strategy for re-measuring natural forests in order to reduce the uncertainty in carbon stock and change for reporting under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol and enhance the all-of-government benefits delivered by this programme of work. Partially achieved – A contract has been placed in the market to determine if re-measurement of the natural forest plots is needed and to develop a strategy if required. The strategy will be developed in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Analyse existing soils data for carbon stock and change for reporting under the Kyoto Protocol and identify any need for future research programmes to reduce uncertainty. Partially achieved – An assessment of current soils data for carbon stock information is complete. Research on contemporary methodologies to determine the best approach for identifying any gaps in the data and how to best fill any gaps is almost complete.
Complete the first of the two year field inventory programme of Kyoto planted forests and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) airborne measurement and analyse for carbon stock and change for reporting under the Kyoto Protocol. Partially achieved – The 2007 planted forest inventory programme was completed in October 2007. The field manual was updated with version three and released in March 2008. The 2008 planted forest programme began in April 2008 and 68 plots were completed by 15 June. The LiDAR measurement programme began in January 2008 and is now complete.
Develop the business and system requirements and begin system development for electronic data capture, storage, processing and reporting under the Kyoto Protocol. Progress to detailed design stage by end June 2008. Partially achieved – The project is now under the State Services Commission and Treasury “Managing and Monitoring Large Projects” regime. A Stage 2 Business Case is being prepared for Cabinet approval in September 2008. This approval will allow the Ministry to go back to the market to find a vendor to develop the Land Use Carbon Accounting System (LUCAS) Calculation and Reporting application.
Capture the balance (approximately 50%) of satellite imagery covering the New Zealand land mass under the all-of-government contract with Spot Imaging Services Ltd. Achieved – Capture of the satellite imagery to establish the 2008 position is complete.
Map the land use of approximately 70% of the New Zealand land mass to a level of accuracy that will satisfy international expert review. Achieved – Contracts to map New Zealand’s land use at 1990 were let and 75% of the total task is complete.

Ministerial Support

Output: Provide support to the Ministers.

Note: The table on page 41 covers performance for both the Minister for the Environment and the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues.

[ |