Govt’s first post-ban offshore exploration permit draws backlash
Thu 30 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government has approved the first offshore petroleum exploration permit since repealing the 2018 ban. But lawyers say the decision raises 'serious' legal questions, as seemingly at odds with guidance from the country's highest court.
NZ Steel closes in on first heat from electric arc furnace
Thu 30 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | The first truckloads of scrap steel are being delivered to New Zealand Steel as the company works through the final stages of a significant emissions reduction project.
Rail revival key to reducing transport emissions: new strategy
Thu 30 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Future is Rail has launched an election manifesto setting out a national strategy for the incoming Government to rebuild New Zealand's passenger and freight rail network, with proposals ranging from overnight train services to nationwide electrification.
Upton: Environmental information is critical national infrastructure
Thu 30 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | New Zealand has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure environmental management decisions are based on shared, high-quality data.
Financial returns the best motivator for restoring land
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Most farmers and other rural landowners in New Zealand need to see financial returns to enable native forest restoration on their land, according to recent research.
CARBON PRICE
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Exclusively for subscribers, the Carbon News NZU Index tracks daily movements in the compliance carbon market across multiple trading platforms.
Govt should bin draft voluntary market assurance and start again – expert
24 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government is consulting on its criteria for endorsing domestic nature and carbon markets, however market experts say the draft document falls short of what is needed to support trust in the market and stop low-integrity credits being sold.
Emissions Trading Scheme ‘stockpile’ shrinking
9 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | The “stockpile” of NZUs in private accounts continues to shrink, with the latest Environmental Protection Authority figures showing the number has dropped by 9.5 million since this time last year.
Biodiversity credit markets need stronger safeguards – report
8 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Emerging biodiversity credit markets need stronger government safeguards and public investment if they are to deliver lasting conservation benefits, according to a new report.
Carbon markets and biochar: a golden opportunity for NZ?
1 Jul 2026
By John O’Brien | COMMENT: New Zealand’s abundant and increasing forestry waste could become a multi-billion dollar opportunity for biochar carbon sequestration – as long as the right policies, programmes, and incentives are in place.
Wind and solar power overtake fossil fuels in Germany for first time ever
Thu 30 Jul 2026
More of Germany’s electricity came from wind and solar power than fossil fuels for the first time ever in 2025.
Are electric cars making us healthier?
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Once among the most polluted cities in the world, Beijing has made a massive U-turn on air quality – thanks, in part, to EVs.
The EU might weaken its landmark climate law – the ‘most impactful’ in the world
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Lawmakers in Europe have proposed rolling back the bloc's cap-and-trade program, long considered the gold standard for reducing companies' carbon emissions.
Kenyan teen leads charge on tree planting and climate awareness
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Baraka Moruri has been passionate about the environment since he was 6. Now 13, the Kenyan climate champion says he has planted more than 7,600 trees with the help of family, friends and private organisations.
Climate change presents new threat to Philippines’ UNESCO rice terraces
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Limited government resources undercut the efforts of the Ifugao people to safeguard their heritage site from the effects of extreme weather.
Greenpeace calls for citizens assembly to reform electoral finance laws
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Media release | Greenpeace is calling on all political parties to support a citizens assembly to reform electoral finance laws in light of the alarming flood of political donations threatening to drown democracy in New Zealand.
Biochar market predicted to reach US$1.6 billion by 2035
Thu 30 Jul 2026
Media release: Transparency Market Research | Strong growth in the global biochar market will be driven by sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration initiatives.
CLIMATE CALENDAR
Thu 30 Jul 2026
The Carbon News calendar of talks, events, conferences, consultations, and petitions related to climate change.
Culture shapes the meaning of sustainability, NZ study finds
Mon 27 Jul 2026
Media release: Bioeconomy Science Institute | Cultural context changes what sustainability means to people, a new New Zealand study finds.
New funding round opens for Auckland zero waste projects – $500k available
24 Jul 2026
Media release | Auckland Council is inviting applications for the 2026 Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF) with $500,000 available to support projects that reduce waste and increase recycling and reuse to help achieve Auckland’s goal of zero waste by 2040.
