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4.31. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is in charge of formulating and implementing New Zealand's energy policy. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is a public entity that encourages, promotes, and supports energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable energy sources, as prescribed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. Its activities include working with businesses to improve their energy productivity and use of sustainable energy to contribute to New Zealand's GHG emission reduction targets and assist New Zealanders and public sector agencies to make smarter use of sustainable energy. According to the authorities, the EECA administers an NZD 219.5 million government fund to reduce GHG emissions and improve energy efficiency in the public sector. It also administers the Technology Demonstration Fund, which provides co-investment to help businesses test new or under-utilized energy saving technologies and process improvements that could also benefit the wider sector.

4.32. New Zealand's international commitments, in the context of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement, consist of a target to reduce GHG emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. The country updated its pledge in 2021 and committed to reducing net emissions by 50% below gross 2005 levels by 2030. Various strategies are also in place to serve its domestic targets (Section 4.1.6), including a goal to transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The direction of the energy policy is set out in the New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011-2021. According to the authorities, development of a replacement energy strategy is expected to commence in 2022.

4.33. The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy 2017-2022 (NZEECS) is the national strategy on energy efficiency. The strategy builds on the New Zealand Energy Strategy, the primary strategic plan, and provides a unified framework for government support and interventions over five years. Under the Strategy, specific targets are set for three priority areas: (i) a decrease in industrial emissions intensity of at least 1% per annum on average between 2017 and 2022, through renewable and efficient use of process heat; (ii) the widespread use of electric vehicles so they make up 2% of the vehicle fleet by the end of 2021, to promote efficient and low emissions transport; (iii) and generation of 90% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025, through innovative and efficient use of electricity.

4.34. In 2019, the New Zealand Government published a "Hydrogen Vision" to harness its hydrogen potential as a clean alternative to hydrocarbons in the pursuit of decarbonization.

4.35. The NZETS continues to be a key part of New Zealand's overall energy emissions reduction strategy. During the review period, the Government made changes to the NZETS through the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Reform) Amendment Act 2020, which came into law on 22 June 2020. Among its novelties, the Amendment introduces a cap on GHG emissions under the NZETS, in alignment with New Zealand's long-term targets. This means that every five years, the authorities will set a limit on the supply of the total GHG emission rights available under the NZETS.

Table 3.12. Selected export controls in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, January 2022:
Product; Legal/regulatory basis; Type of restriction (Responsible entity); Rationale (relevant treaty/convention, if applicable)
(...)
Certain animals and plants; Federal Law on the Movement of Protected Species of Fauna and Flora (RS 453), Federal Law on Fishing (RS 923.0), Federal Law on Hunting (RS 922.0), Ordinance on the Control on the Movement of Protected Species of Fauna and Flora (RS 453.1); Import licence (Federal Office of Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO)); Protection of certain species of wild fauna and flora (CITES)
Forest reproductive material; Federal Law on Forests (RS 921.0), Ordinance on the Forests (RS 921.01), and
Ordinance on Forest Reproductive Material (RS 921.552.1); Import licence (Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)); Ensure healthy material used reforestation
(...)

Table 3.12. Selected export controls in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, January 2022:
(...)
Product: Mercury
Legal/regulatory basis: Federal Law on the Protection of the Environment (RS 814.01), Federal Law on the Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (RS 813.1), and Ordinance on the reduction of Risks relating to the Use of Certain Particularly Dangerous Substances, Preparations and Articles (RS 814.81)
Type of restriction (Responsible entity): Export licence, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Rationale (relevant treaty/convention, if applicable): Protection of human health and the environment
(...)

Table 3.12. Selected export controls in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, January 2022:
(...)
Product: Certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides
Legal/regulatory basis: Federal Act for Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (RS 813.1), and Environmental Protection Act (RS 814.01)
Type of restriction (Responsible entity): Export permit, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Rationale (relevant treaty/convention, if applicable): Protection of health and the environment
(Rotterdam Convention)
(...)

Table 3.12. Selected export controls in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, January 2022:
(...)
Product: Ozone-depleting substances
Legal/regulatory basis: Federal Act for Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (RS 813.1), Environmental Protection Act (RS 814.01), and Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks associated with the Use of Particularly Dangerous Substances, Preparations and Articles (RS 814.81)
Type of restriction (Responsible entity): Export authorization, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
Rationale (relevant treaty/convention, if applicable): Protection of human health and the environment
(Montreal Protocol)
(...)

Table 3.12. Selected export controls in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, January 2022:
Product; Legal/regulatory basis; Type of restriction (Responsible entity); Rationale (relevant treaty/convention, if applicable)
(...)
Dangerous waste; Environmental Protection Act (RS 814.01), Ordinance on the Movement of Waste (RS 814.610), and the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) Ordinance on Lists for the Movement of Waste (RS 814.610.1); Export authorization, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN); Ensure proper waste disposal
Nuclear articles and radioactive waste; Nuclear Energy Act (RS 732.1) and Nuclear Energy Ordinance (RS 732.11); Export licence (Federal Office of Energy); Control within framework of the Non Proliferation Treaty (Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons)