Coal boiler ban & 2037 phase-out (NES/NPS)

What happened

National Environmental Standards and Policy Statement for industrial process heat: ban on new low-to-medium temperature coal boilers from July 2023; phase-out existing coal boilers by 2037.

Why it matters

Restricts industrial coal combustion - process heat is a significant emissions source.

Impact assessment

Durable regulatory restriction; full effect phased to 2037 (later threatened by successor govt).

Limitations: See NC-022 - standards reported for repeal under RMA reforms (June 2026).

Attribution

primary (high confidence) -Labour

Energy Minister Megan Woods; Labour manifesto commitment.

Coalition period: Labour-led government (Greens confidence & supply) (17 October 2020 - 26 November 2023)

Categories

Sources

• Beehive - Government ban on new coal boilers in place
• RNZ - Coal technology restrictions