Carbon management

Carbon management is a growing area of focus for organisations as pressure to adopt future zero carbon targets grows, and carbon pricing volatility increases. Many companies are now measuring and reporting their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions as part of their annual reporting and increasingly taking action to understand and mitigate their carbon impact. 

As the New Zealand Government’s primary mechanism for meeting its international and domestic carbon emission targets, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is already creating a significant compliance obligation for many New Zealand organisations - one which will only continue to increase in complexity and cost as annual emissions budgets decrease and forestry land becomes more scarce. Businesses must be cognisant of this developing liability and have a long term strategy for meeting their emissions obligations.

Organisations without compliance obligations may choose to secure carbon offsets on the voluntary market that fits with their values and strategic priorities.

Ensuring your business makes the right decisions now to manage its future compliance costs

Key questions to consider:

  • does your organisation have a long term strategy to meet its obligations under the ETS?
  • does management have a strong understanding of ETS requirements and how the carbon market is expected to develop over time?
  • is your organisation familiar with the options available to acquire New Zealand Units and the costs and benefits of each of these?

We can help with:

  • education sessions for Boards and Management teams focused on the ETS and trends in carbon markets
  • recommended NZU acquisition strategies based on your organisation's emissions profile and business priorities
  • analysis of the environmental, social and economic costs and benefits of NZU acquisition and funding options
  • cash flow modelling of NZU acquisition strategy options.

Gaining insight into the carbon impact of your organisation, product or value chain

Key questions to consider:

  • does your organisation understand the greenhouse gas emissions created by the products or services it provides?
  • does your organisation consider carbon impacts when selecting materials or activities for the development of a product or building?
  • does your organisation consider the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use and eventual disposal of its product or property?
  • are you taking steps to identify areas of your value chains that could be made more carbon efficient?

We can help with:

  • product or service whole of life analysis to form a view of carbon hotspots and related carbon risks and opportunities
  • identification of carbon intensive aspects of your organisation or product
  • transition plans to replace carbon intensive activity with low-carbon alternatives
  • impact analysis of confirmed or predicted changes in regulation and consumer expectations on the carbon impact of a business, product or value chain.

Measuring, reducing and offsetting your organisation’s carbon impact

Key questions to consider:

  • does your organisation have a strategy to reduce it’s carbon footprint over time?
  • has your organisation identified the key carbon hotspots creating risks and opportunities within your value chain?
  • is the price to offset carbon known and acknowledged as a potential future cost of your organisation’s production/operation?
  • does management understand the reasons for offsetting emissions and the mechanisms to do so?

We can help with:

  • implementation of carbon emission measurement frameworks and reporting
  • development of carbon emission reduction targets, strategies and roadmaps
  • board or management education on all aspects of carbon emission management and regulation
  • market analysis and investigation of emissions reduction and offsetting opportunities.

Contact us

Annabell Chartres

Annabell Chartres

Partner, Sustainability, Climate & Nature Leader, PwC New Zealand

Tel: +64 21 799 927

Andrew Jamieson

Andrew Jamieson

Partner, Sustainability, Climate & Nature, PwC New Zealand

Tel: +64 21 711 641

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