Total greenhouse gas emissions decrease 2.7 percent in the March 2024 quarter

Seasonally adjusted greenhouse gas emissions for industries and households in Aotearoa New Zealand decreased 2.7 percent in the March 2024 quarter, according to Stats NZ figures.

The decrease is equivalent to 541 kilotonnes (kt), and was mainly due to lower agriculture, forestry, and fishing emissions.

Seasonally adjusted figures show that the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry produced their lowest level of quarterly emissions since our series began. Their emissions are now down 8.1 percent from their peak in March 2019.

The manufacturing industry had the second largest decrease in emissions in the March 2024 quarter, declining 88 kt (4.0 percent). The March 2024 quarter is the third time in a row that emissions have fallen for this industry.