Total greenhouse gas emissions fall 0.2 percent in the March 2026 quarter

Seasonally adjusted greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by industries and households decreased 0.2 percent over the March 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“Driven by a decline in mining activity, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 42 kilotonnes over the March 2026 quarter,” environment statistics spokesperson Stuart Pitts said.

“This is the fourth consecutive quarter of reduced emissions.”

In the March 2026 quarter, industry emissions (excluding households) decreased by 0.3 percent (51 kilotonnes). Over the same period, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.8 percent.

“While greenhouse gas emissions from industries have been falling, New Zealand’s gross domestic product has continued to rise, resulting in a lower emissions intensity,” Pitts said.

New Zealand had an industry emissions intensity of 235 tonnes of greenhouse gases per $1 million dollars of GDP in the March 2026 quarter, down from 238 tonnes in the December 2025 quarter (seasonally adjusted). Emissions intensity declined over the last six quarters.

Seasonally adjusted household emissions rose by 0.8 percent (15 kilotonnes) between March 2026 and December 2025.

Reduced activity in the mining industry driving fall in emissions

In the March 2026 quarter, emissions from the mining industry decreased by 18.4 percent. This was primarily due to a decrease in oil and gas extraction over the quarter, consistent with a decrease in GDP from the industry. Mining was the largest downward contributor to New Zealand’s gross domestic product in the March 2026 quarter, down 11.6 percent.

The largest increase in emissions came from electricity, gas, water, and waste services, up 14.1 percent over the quarter. This followed a decrease of 32.6 percent in the December 2025 quarter, which was driven by favourable wind and hydro conditions at the time. New Zealand Energy Quarterly, published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, reported that the share of energy generated from renewable sources was 94.5 percent in the March 2026 quarter, down from 96.5 percent in the December 2025 quarter.

Emissions have also fallen over the year

In the year ended March 2026, greenhouse gas emissions by industries and households fell 2.8 percent (2,183 kilotonnes). Total greenhouse gas emissions for the year were 75,661 kilotonnes.

The most significant contributors to the annual fall in industry emissions were electricity, gas, water, and waste services, down 24.4 percent (1,800 kilotonnes), and mining, down 14.3 percent (180 kilotonnes).

Service industries, including transport, postal, and warehousing, along with other services, had a 2.1 percent increase in emissions in the year ended March 2026. This was the only high-level industry group to record an increase in emissions over the year.

Greenhouse gas emissions by households also decreased in the year ended March 2026, down 1.9 percent (155 kilotonnes). This was primarily driven by a decrease in emissions from transport, down by 1.5 percent over the year.