4 September 2013

Permanent Forest Sink Initiative (PFSI) participants will receive New Zealand Units (NZUs) for carbon storage from 2013 onwards, following a recent decision by Cabinet. Previously participants received Kyoto Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) for the first five-year commitment period.

The availability of AAUs after 2015 is uncertain because of the government's decision not to sign-up for a second Kyoto commitment period starting in 2014.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) consulted earlier this year with affected stakeholders to gather their views. Some participants wanted any future unit to be clearly differentiated as coming from PFSI forests so they could be recognised as such in the marketplace. As a result of this feedback the government will be investigating ways to
distinguish PFSI-generated NZUs in the Emissions Unit Register, says MPI in its 47th edition of its Sustainable Forestry Bulletin.

PFSI participants do not need to do anything at this stage. From 1 January 2014 they will be able to make a claim for the first entitlement of NZUs for carbon growth for the 2013 calendar year.

For more details email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or to read the Bulletin, click here

Source:  MPI Sustainable Forestry Bulletin