Afforestation Grant Scheme

The Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS) is a new initiative first flagged in the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change:  Options for a Plan of Action discussion document released in December 2006. 

The AGS offers an alternative to the proposed New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as a way to encourage greater levels of greenhouse gas absorption by increasing the area of Kyoto-compliant new forest in New Zealand.

Another objective of the AGS is to establish this new Kyoto-compliant forest in areas where it will help reduce the likely impacts of climate change and generate other environmental benefits, for example, where it will reduce soil erosion, nutrient leaching and flood peaks.

Who can apply?

Individuals, business entities and local government may apply for the AGS grant within the region, provided they own the land, or have the right to use the land for forestry.  Read to AGS guidelines.

What land is eligible for a grant?

Land eligible for a grant must be land that:

• was not forest land on 31 December 1989; or
• was forest land on 31 December 1989 but;
  •  was deforested between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2007; or
  •  was deforested on or after 1 January 2008; and in respect of which any liability to surrender units arising to the Crown under the Kyoto Protocol have been satisfied. 

What is the minimum land size?

The minimum application size is 5 hectares.  This area may consist of multiple areas of at least 1 hectare.

Shelter belts or riparian strips less than 30 metres wide (canopy-edge to canopy-edge) are not eligible.  However afforestation on both sides of a waterway can be assessed as one riparian strip with the width of the waterway excluded from the width measurement.

Criteria

When considering an area of land for afforestation there is a criteria outline in guidelines.  The area is also assessed for:

• soil erosion potential
• impact on water quality
• impact on flood risk
• impact on biodiversity and
• the overall scale and impact of potential afforestation.

Who will own the carbon credits?

The Crown will retain ownership of the Kyoto carbon credits and liabilities associated with the grant forest.

What are the closing dates for applications?

Approval process

The steps in the approval process are:

• applications will be scored against the 5 criteria;
• applications meeting the threshold score will be considered under the Regional Council Pool;
• applications not meeting the threshold score will be directed to the Public Pool;
• applications greater than the fixed grant rates are excluded;
• applications will be prioritized on a national basis should the fund be oversubscribed;
• applications are then provisionally awarded up to the available funds for the application round;
• unsuccessful applicants will be informed in writing.

Documents  

AGS Guidelines (974 kb) Grant Scheme Guidelines.

AGS Application Form (656 kb) Print this form to fill it in

AGS Claim Form (68kb) Print this form to fill it in

Send your completed application to our District Conservator.
For assistance or any further information contact our soil conservation team - contact us

External Links

MAF website (opens new window)