Mapping emissions and waste data in the manufacturing sector

This research consists of a summary report, technical report, and data set.

They can be used by both government and business to improve Aotearoa’s sustainability.

Overview

The project has identified and mapped the emissions and waste patterns of the seven main advanced manufacturing subsectors to identify opportunities to adopt net-zero circular manufacturing.

This study supports the growth and resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector. Advanced manufacturing makes up 10% of the economy ($24.1 billion GDP).

The sub-sectors mapped were:

• Food and beverage
• Machinery and equipment
• Other manufacturing
• Metal and metal product
• Chemicals and refining
• Paper and wood
• Plastics and rubber

Circular economy practices exist in New Zealand within and across manufacturing subsectors. Subsectors differ greatly. However, they are connected through resource flows and face similar challenges, particularly around waste.

Supply chain emissions are significant across all subsectors.

Most subsectors depend on imports and ‘offshore’ their emissions. As a result, some will be exposed to critical minerals risks (e.g., fertilisers, machinery, and equipment).

For import-dependent subsectors, circular economy models that reduce consumption by extending service lives, sharing access to products or creating jobs through reuse, remanufacturing or repair, may reduce supply risks and global emissions.

In some subsectors, opportunities exist to use more of what we produce locally. In some cases, this could make businesses more resilient and create skilled jobs. Clear policies on managing domestic versus global emissions need to guide these transitions.

Solutions that match companies’ business needs (e.g., support market access) are more commercially attractive.

The industry is open to collaborating but needs support to overcome transparency and access to better data to support decision-making. This is currently considered a market failure.

Emissions

Annual emissions for the manufacturing sector (2019 baseline)

• Total consumption-based emissions were 24,900 ktCO2e – 38% of New Zealand gross greenhouse emissions in 2019).
• Total production-based emissions were 12,900 ktCO2e – 16% of New Zealand gross greenhouse emissions in 2019).

Waste

Annual waste produced in New Zealand (2019 baseline)

Of 17,288 kt of waste generated, 92% ended up in landfill:

• 697 kt of all waste (4%) was recycled
• the remainder 647 kt was exported to be processed outside of New Zealand.

Reports

Summary report – Mapping emissions and waste stream profiles, and opportunities for achieving net-zero circular advanced manufacturing [PDF, 3.4 MB]

Technical report – Mapping emissions and waste stream profiles, and opportunities for achieving net-zero circular advanced manufacturing [PDF, 6.8 MB]

Dataset – Material flows and carbon emissions of NZ advanced manufacturing [XLSX, 2.1 MB]