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We’re looking for better ways to measure and reward carbon storage

The Maximising Forest Carbon programme aims to improve the way we measure, recognise, and reward carbon storage in our native and exotic forests.

Our forests play an important role in reducing the effects of climate change. One way they do this is by absorbing carbon dioxide. In New Zealand, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the Government’s main tool for reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

This programme's research could lead to changes in the ETS to improve the way small and large forests are measured and rewarded. It could also help us with our emissions reduction targets. For example, the research is exploring whether carbon storage resulting from forest management activities can be measured in older forests. This may encourage more effective forest management, leading to more carbon storage in our existing forests.

How the ETS applies to forestry

The aims of the programme's carbon storage research

This research aims to:

  • understand more about carbon storage in New Zealand’s forests
  • improve the way we measure carbon storage in forests
  • understand how forest management activities affect forest carbon storage
  • predict future changes in forest carbon storage due to climate change.

Maximising Forest Carbon: Summary research plan [PDF, 256 KB]

Projects in the programme

Some of the projects we’re working on are:

  • updating the default carbon tables in the ETS
  • exploring faster and easier ways to measure forest carbon in the ETS
  • exploring how managing pre-1990 forests can increase carbon.

Updating the default carbon tables in the ETS

Most forestry participants in the ETS use default carbon tables to work out how much carbon their forests store.

The current default carbon tables were developed around 2008 using the data available at the time. They have not been meaningfully updated since. They only cover a few broad forest types and don’t recognise the diversity of carbon storage across forest types or locations.

The programme’s research is investigating carbon storage in a range of exotic and native forests to help improve the default carbon tables. This includes research on:

  • exotic softwoods such as cypresses, redwoods and pines
  • exotic hardwoods such as eucalypts, poplars and willows
  • regenerating and planted native forests
  • exotic forests that are transitioning to native forests.

Depending on what this research finds out, the default carbon tables may be updated with the latest data. The research may also lead to default carbon tables for new forest types.

Default carbon tables in the ETS

Exploring faster and easier ways to measure forest carbon in the ETS

Large ETS forestry participants must regularly measure plots in their forests using a manual method to work out their carbon storage. The amount of carbon is then calculated using carbon tables that are developed specifically for that forest. This method is reasonably accurate but expensive, and you usually need specialist help to do it.

Read more about measuring forests to get participant-specific tables

Modern remote sensing technology such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and spectral imaging could improve the way we measure carbon in forests. It could make these measurements faster, more cost effective, and more accessible.

Our research will help us see

  • how effective remote sensing technology is at measuring forest carbon
  • what barriers to adoption there are, and
  • whether it could be used for forestry in the ETS.

Exploring how managing pre-1990 forests can increase carbon

The ETS defines forest land in a certain way, as pre-1990 forest land and post-1989 forest land.

Carbon storage in pre-1990 forests does not currently count towards New Zealand’s emissions reduction targets. This could change. The Paris Agreement now lets us count extra carbon that pre-1990 forests store as a result of forest management towards our international targets.

Forest management activities, such as controlling browsing animals and silviculture, could increase the carbon pre-1990 forests store. But we need to be able to confirm this link and measure it. We could then look into recognising and rewarding pre-1990 foresters for good forest management.

Read more about how forest land is defined in the ETS

Published research on carbon storage and measurement

Consultations and decision papers

In October 2023, we consulted on potential updates to the exotic hardwoods default carbon table and a potential new space planted (widely planted) poplars and willows forest type.

Recognising space-plantings and exotic hardwoods in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme

Next steps

Our research is in its early stages and will continue until at least 2026. Any changes we propose depend on what our research tells us.

We will consult the public before making any changes. For example, before making any potential updates to the default carbon tables or forest measurement method.

Other maximising carbon initiatives

The programme is part of a cross-government initiative called Maximising Carbon Storage. This work programme explores how New Zealand can maximise the natural storage of carbon in different ways.

Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is leading the Maximising Forest Carbon programme, with support from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Department of Conservation (DOC).  

The Department of Conservation leads the Maximising Carbon in Native Systems programme.

Carbon storage in native ecosystems – Department for Conservation

The Ministry for the Environment leads the Maximising Carbon in Soils programme.

Maximising carbon in soils research – Ministry for the Environment

Get involved

If you own or manage a forest, you can support our research.

  • Your forest may be a good place for a research site.
  • You can help us understand the barriers and motivations for forest management in older exotic and native forests. 

Who to contact

If you have any questions, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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