Work out your New Zealand electricity emissions
= 4.64 tonnes CO2e in 2025 (Scope 2 (location-based))
Each kWh × 0.093 kg CO2e, the 2025 grid average for New Zealand (Ember).
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New Zealand electricity emission factor by year
| Year | g CO2e per kWh | kg CO2e per kWh | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 92.8 | 0.093 | -17.2% |
| 2024 | 112 | 0.112 | +28.5% |
| 2023 | 87.2 | 0.087 | -15.4% |
| 2022 | 103 | 0.103 | -28.8% |
| 2021 | 145 | 0.145 | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 142 | 0.142 | +6.3% |
| 2019 | 134 | 0.134 | +8.1% |
| 2018 | 124 | 0.124 | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 132 | 0.132 | +15.2% |
| 2016 | 114 | 0.114 | -19.8% |
| 2015 | 143 | 0.143 | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 148 | 0.148 | -16.2% |
| 2013 | 177 | 0.177 | -10.7% |
| 2012 | 198 | 0.198 | +19.4% |
| 2011 | 166 | 0.166 | -7.5% |
| 2010 | 179 | 0.179 | -8.7% |
| 2009 | 197 | 0.197 | -20.4% |
| 2008 | 247 | 0.247 | +8.7% |
| 2007 | 227 | 0.227 | -8.8% |
| 2006 | 249 | 0.249 | -2.1% |
| 2005 | 254 | 0.254 | +24.5% |
| 2004 | 204 | 0.204 | -11.7% |
| 2003 | 231 | 0.231 | +16.9% |
| 2002 | 198 | 0.198 | -14.2% |
| 2001 | 230 | 0.230 | +25.0% |
| 2000 | 184 | 0.184 | – |
Lifecycle emissions per kWh of electricity generated in the country (g CO2e per kWh). Excludes imports and grid losses.
New Zealand's official electricity factor
the Ministry for the Environment publishes its own figure: 0.079 kg CO2e per kWh in 2025. Carbon Recycling uses this figure for sites in New Zealand, unless Ember has one more than a year newer for the reporting year. It is lower than Ember's because it counts only what power stations emit, not fuel supply or building them, which is how the UK government factor is worked out too.
| Year | kg CO2e per kWh | g CO2e per kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.079 | 78.7 |
| 2024 | 0.099 | 99.4 |
| 2023 | 0.077 | 76.6 |
| 2022 | 0.082 | 81.7 |
| 2021 | 0.123 | 123 |
| 2020 | 0.121 | 121 |
| 2019 | 0.110 | 110 |
| 2018 | 0.098 | 97.7 |
| 2017 | 0.103 | 103 |
| 2016 | 0.091 | 91.5 |
| 2015 | 0.117 | 117 |
| 2014 | 0.122 | 122 |
| 2013 | 0.146 | 146 |
| 2012 | 0.173 | 173 |
| 2011 | 0.139 | 139 |
| 2010 | 0.151 | 151 |
Annual average greenhouse gases (CO2, methane and nitrous oxide) per kWh of electricity used from New Zealand's grid. Grid losses are a separate factor in the guide and are not included. Source: Measuring emissions: A guide for organisations, 2026 emission factors (version 2), purchased electricity annual averages, the Ministry for the Environment. Ministry for the Environment. 2026. Measuring emissions: A guide for organisations: 2026 emission factors (version 2). Crown copyright, CC BY 4.0.
What New Zealand's electricity is made from
In 2025, New Zealand generated 43.3 TWh of electricity. 12% came from fossil fuels, which is what drives the factor up or down from year to year.
| Source | Share of generation, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hydro | 54.9% |
| Other Renewables | 21.8% |
| Wind | 9.7% |
| Gas | 8.9% |
| Other Fossil | 1.5% |
| Bioenergy | 1.3% |
| Coal | 1.1% |
| Solar | 0.8% |
Worked example
Take an office in New Zealand using 50,000 kWh a year. 50,000 kWh × 0.093 kg CO2e = 4.6 tonnes CO2e, reported as Scope 2 (location-based).
How to report it
Multiply each site's electricity use in kWh, from its bills or meter readings, by the factor for the year. Report the result as location-based Scope 2. If the site buys renewable electricity backed by certificates recognised in New Zealand, you can also show a market-based figure, but keep the location-based one alongside it.
UK companies with a site, warehouse or office here should use this factor for that site, not the UK grid factor. From April 2027, NHS suppliers on contracts over £5 million must report their global footprint, so overseas sites can no longer be left out. For your UK sites, use the UK government grid electricity factor.
In Carbon Recycling, set the site's country to New Zealand and its electricity is reported with this factor automatically, while your UK sites stay on the UK government factor.
Related emission factors
- Australia electricity: 525 g CO2e per kWh (2025)
- Papua New Guinea electricity: 514 g CO2e per kWh (2024)
- New Caledonia electricity: 561 g CO2e per kWh (2024)
- New Zealand emission factors (Ministry for the Environment)
- UK grid electricity (UK government factor)
- Electricity emission factors for every country
- Electricity CO2e calculator for any country, to compare New Zealand with another country