MINISTRY ENVIRONMENT, NZL

This award is bestowed upon New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment (MFE), honoured for its Outstanding NDC by Region: Oceania. This recognition is profoundly underpinned by the robust effectiveness and significant impact tangibly demonstrated within its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), unequivocally showcasing exemplary commitment and clear regional leadership in climate action.

New Zealand's NDC further distinguishes itself through its meticulous alignment with the overarching objectives of the Paris Agreement, particularly via its innovative Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). This scheme actively issues New Zealand Units (NZUs) for eligible carbon removal activities, with a strong emphasis on the pivotal role of forestry removals. The issuance of a notable 20 million NZUs for forest removal activities in 2023 highlights an exceptionally innovative and quantifiable approach to greenhouse gas reduction and comprehensive adaptation strategies.

Furthermore, the implementation of an 'averaging' method for post-1989 forests, where units are strategically allocated up to the long-term average carbon stock without requiring surrender at harvest, exemplifies an adaptive and highly efficient climate policy. This comprehensive approach, coupled with New Zealand's tangible progress in decarbonisation and resilience-building, firmly establishes it as a key benchmark within the Oceania region for achieving carbon neutrality and comprehensive climate resilience.