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Total emissions and removals: 1990–2007

In 2007, New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 75.6 Mt CO2-e. This estimate excludes the emissions and removals from the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. Total emissions in 2007, were 22 per cent higher (13.7 Mt CO2-e) than the 1990 level of 61.9 Mt CO2-e (Figure 1).

Removals and emissions of greenhouse gases in the LULUCF8 sector (net removals) (Figure 1) amounted to 23.8 Mt CO2-e in 2007. This was an increase of 31 per cent above removals in 1990 (18.1 Mt CO2-e). Deforestation was based on provisional data for 2007 (refer to page 18).

There is statistical uncertainty around the values reported in national inventories. For New Zealand, the uncertainty in total emissions (excluding removals) for the 2007 calendar year is ± 21 per cent. Uncertainty in the trend in emissions since 1990 is ± 5 per cent. The trend has lower uncertainty because the uncertainty in emissions factors in any one year cancels out over time. It is the trend in emissions that is paramount to the requirements under the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

Changes in emissions between 2006 and 2007

Between 2006 and 2007 emissions decreased by 2.0 Mt CO2-e (3 per cent). This was due to two major factors. The first was a drought throughout the summer and autumn of 2007/2008. The drought affected many regions, leading to reduced livestock numbers and productivity. The second factor was the commissioning of Genesis Energy’s combined cycle gas turbine at Huntly and the corresponding reduction in coal-fired electricity generation.

Figure 1: New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions and removals: 1990–2007

Figure 1: New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions and removals: 1990–2007

Text description for figure 1

 

8 The LULUCF sector of the inventory is not the same as forest sinks or afforestation under the    Kyoto Protocol. The inventory reports emissions and removals from all forests (planted and   natural) for all years, whereas under the Kyoto Protocol only new plantings (after 31     December 1989) and any deforestation over the first commitment period enters the accounting        system.