The first set of improvements to the Emissions Trading Scheme – New Zealand's main tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – has been announced following extensive public consultation.

Forestry Minister Shane Jones says the ETS is one of the key levers that will move New Zealand towards a low emissions economy.

'Ensuring the scheme is fit-for-purpose is critical to our goal of planting at least one billion trees by 2028.

'It should be able to deliver effective emissions pricing, be simple and credible to encourage new forests and discourage deforestation.

'Cabinet has approved the first set of improvements, which includes the addition of permanent forests to the scheme. This will provide more incentives for landowners to integrate trees into their landscapes, enable them to them to diversify their income while also providing long-term environmental benefits.

'We're making good on our promise to encourage more forestry and make better use of land, especially on erosion-prone land.

'By establishing a permanent forest, with indigenous or exotic species, land owners will be able to better optimise their non-productive agricultural land and enjoy income from the sale of New Zealand units, while also increasing biodiversity and reducing erosion.

'Other changes are geared towards helping reduce both complexity and the barriers to forest owners being part of the ETS. These provide a solid foundation for future planting efforts, which could see us double the number of trees planted.

'We've listened to extensive feedback, and I think forest owners, businesses and landowners will welcome these changes, which will come into effect after the final round of ETS improvements have been made next year.

'We have also consulted on a new accounting option for post-1989 forests in the ETS – known as averaging. Cabinet will consider this and other improvements early next year.”