Unique Emissions Factors
This page provides information for participants looking to obtain a Unique Emissions Factor (UEF).
Covid-19 Protection Framework: Our offices are open. Visitors should sign-in, wear a mask, and follow social distance guidelines. Our contact details
This page provides information for participants looking to obtain a Unique Emissions Factor (UEF).
An emissions factor is a value given to an activity in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) based on how emissions-intensive it is. When an emissions return is completed, the emissions factor is multiplied by the amount of product produced in a given period to give an emissions total for that time.
Some activities in the ETS have been assigned a Default Emissions Factor (DEF), based on an industry-wide average. However, participants in some sectors have an option of either using this DEF, or obtaining a UEF if they believe their emissions are lower than the industry average. Using a UEF will usually mean that a participant's emissions total is lowered.
A new section (91A) of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Reform) Amendment Bill gives the EPA powers to amend an incorrect UEF. We may then amend any historical emissions returns that use that UEF, under section 120.
If you have any questions regarding this process, feel free to contact us at emissionstrading@epa.govt.nz
ETS participants who carry out any of the following activities may apply for a Unique Emissions Factor:
Further guidance is available on the requirements for participants in certain sectors to calculate and apply for approval to use a UEF in place of a DEF to calculate and report on emissions:
Background information on the regulations - Ministry for the Environment
Climate Change (Unique Emissions Factors) Regulations 2009 - NZ Legislation website
If you wish to apply for a UEF, you must be carrying out one of the eligible activities listed above. The application itself is completed online via the New Zealand Emissions Trading Register (the Register).
Applications must be accompanied by a Verifier's Statement that complies with regulation 4(3) of the Climate Change (Unique Emissions Factors) Regulations 2009, and a plan for ongoing sampling and testing of the activity to which the application relates.
An application for a UEF in relation to a reporting year must be submitted to the EPA by 31 January following the reporting year to which the UEF relates. The application must be completed before the Annual Emissions Return is submitted.
Regulation 4(3) of the Climate Change (Unique Emissions Factors) Regulations 2009
The UEF Regulations require independent third party review and verification to be carried out where a participant wishes to apply to the EPA for approval to use a UEF.
The verifier's role is to confirm:
The verifier must provide a Verifier's Statement including all of the above.
If you are interested in becoming a verifier, please read our guide to becoming a recognised verifier and contact us so we can send you an application form.
Becoming a recognised verifier (pdf 451KB)
You can call us on 0800 CLIMATE (0800 254 628).
All verifiers must be approved by the EPA. Below is a list of persons currently approved to act as verifiers:
Lindsay James Robertson (CPEng) | Parsons Brinckerhoff New Zealand Limited |
Level 3, Revera House, 48-54 Mulgrave Street, PO Box 668, Wellington Tel: +64 21 240 6863 |
Importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste. |
Jacqueline Margaret Robertson (CA) | Deloitte |
Level 16, Deloitte House, 10 Brandon Street, PO Box 1990, Wellington Tel: +64 4 470 3561 Email: jacrobertson@deloitte.co.nz |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Brett Tomkins (CA) | Deloitte |
Otago House, 481 Moray Place, PO Box 1245, Dunedin Tel: +64 3 471 4341 Email: btomkins@deloitte.co.nz |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Lesley Mackle | PWC |
113-119 The Terrace, Wellington Tel: +64 4 462 7114 Email: lesley.j.mackle@nz.pwc.com |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Chris Ussher | PWC |
113-119 The Terrace, Wellington Tel: +64 4 462 7107 Email: chris.j.ussher@nz.pwc.com |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Jason Keith Stachurski (CA) | Deloitte |
Deloitte Centre, 80 Queens Street, Private Bag 115033, Auckland Tel: +64 9 303 0801 Email: jstachurski@deloitte.co.nz |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Graeme Bennett (CA) | Ernst & Young Limited |
2 Takutai Square, Britomart, Auckland, 1010 Tel: +64 9 348 8175 Email: Graeme.Bennett@nz.ey.com |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Andrew Douglas (CA) | Opportune Consulting Limited |
Level 1 Regus Centre, Harvest Court, 218 George St, Dunedin 9016 Tel: +64 21 312 232 Email: andrew@opportune.nz |
Owning obligation fuel; purchasing obligation jet fuel; importing coal; mining coal; purchasing coal; purchasing natural gas; using geothermal fluid; combusting used oil, waste oil, used tyres, or waste; operating waste disposal facility. |
Individual | Organisation | Contact Details | Activities for which recognition granted |
---|
1. Cease your existing UEF in order to apply for a new one
2. Maintain your existing UEF
3. Notify of a change in your UEF
4. Applying for a new UEF
5. Cease your UEF and revert to the Default Emissions Factor
You must apply for your UEF by 31 January (following the reporting year to which the UEF relates).
Make sure you provide us with the correct information to ensure your application is processed smoothly.
Contact the ETS team if you'd like more information about Unique Emissions Factors.
You can apply for a UEF by registering or signing in here.
Find out more about the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme here.
Find out more about our approach to compliance and enforcement.