International: All stories
Lights out - Japan acts to cut hours of convenience stores
20 Jun 2008
Japan's 24-hour convenience stores, already struggling with lagging sales and growth, may soon face yet another threat -- moves to limit business hours and close the stores late at night.
Climate change fuelling conflict, increased refugees, says UN
20 Jun 2008
Climate change is expected to drive increasing numbers of people from their homes as more conflicts are fuelled by water scarcity and a lack of food, says the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Deere commits to further greenhouse gases cuts
20 Jun 2008
Agriculture equipment giant John Deere plans to further reduce its total global greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent per dollar of revenue from 2005 to 2014.
Battery puzzler as plug-in hybrids join the car race
20 Jun 2008
The latest potential alternative to the traditional gasoline engine touted for the auto industry—plug-in hybrids and their lithium-ion batteries—may not change what most people drive anytime soon, says the Chicago Tribune.
It’s official – China takes over from the US as the world’s worst polluter
17 Jun 2008
China, New Zealand’s newest and potentially largest international trading partner, has taken over from the United States as the world’s worst carbon dioxide polluter, a new study shows.
Australia votes $2.8 million to aid 700,000 coastal homes under threat
17 Jun 2008
The Rudd Government is providing $2.8 million for three new projects to help Australia¡¦s vulnerable coastal communities to plan for the effects of climate change which could be threatening 700,000 homes across the nation.
Ships' captains to get the order: Slow ahead and save emission
17 Jun 2008
The captains of ships plying the world’s sea lanes are about to be given the message – slow down and save greenhouse gas emissions.
Latest UN climate change talks end with calls for speedier negotiations
17 Jun 2008
The latest round of United Nations-sponsored global climate change talks ended in Bonn, Germany, with calls to step up the pace of negotiations in the run up to next year's crucial summit in Copenhagen.
Toshiba doubles target in bid to slash carbon dioxide emissions
17 Jun 2008
Toshiba, Japan's largest supplier of reactors, doubled planned cuts to its carbon dioxide emissions over the next 17 years by promoting the use of nuclear energy and lights which consume less energy.
If you're picking US ETS schemes, Obama's 6 point ahead
13 Jun 2008
If you're betting on Obama's version of emissions trading, latest national rolling poll results show him 6% up on McCain.
New report: 2009 turning point for EU ETS, urges quick Phase 3 commitment
12 Jun 2008
Amendments to the EU emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) proposed by the European Commission are a big step forward and should be adopted into EU legislation by the spring of 2009.
Japan embraces emissions trading - trial scheme to launch
11 Jun 2008
One of New Zealand's major trading partners, Japan, will trial a carbon trading regime later this year.
Retailer lead Marks & Spencer going carbon neutral in four years
10 Jun 2008
Retail leader Marks and Spencer says it aims to be carbon neutral by 2012.
Carbon neutral garment making at no extra cost
9 Jun 2008
The green underwear produced at a new lingerie factory Sri Lanka hits the streets of the U.K. this month and will cost no more than existing garments
Heavy emitters must pray NZ doesn't follow Obama's ETS plan
6 Jun 2008
New Zealand's heavy emitters, waiting to see how the rest of the world approaches emissions trading, will not like the plan of likely US Democratpresidential candidate Barrack Obama.
"Kill me": US Senate clerk(s) forced to read 492 page amendment to ETS bill
6 Jun 2008
In US Senate action on the Climate Security Act, Republicans are forcing the clerk to read the entirety of theBoxer substitude amendment, claiming they haven't had enough time to read it yet.
Technically hilarious, but Arnie delivers the big bucks benefits message on climate change
5 Jun 2008
California’s Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, told New Zealand business leaders yesterday his state was enjoying a new gold rush of billions of dollars being powered into climate change technology investments.
Bonn post-Kyoto treaty talks get underway
5 Jun 2008
The latest round of UN-sponsored global climate change negotiations is underway Monday in Bonn, Germany.
But who's protecting us from the gays?
5 Jun 2008
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins is bemoaning the fact that the Senate is wasting time talking about climate change when the gays are still running around getting married willy-nilly:
NASA distorted climate change research findings
5 Jun 2008
An investigation by NASA's inspector general has found that the agency's press office repeatedly distorted climate-change research findings and limited its scientists' access to the media between 2004 and 2006.
BT pledges 80% emissions cut
5 Jun 2008
BT has announced plans to cut its carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2020
Tokyo City may vote for own ETS this month
3 Jun 2008
Tokyo, the world's largest city with a population of 26.8 million, is likely to vote this month to bring in its own emissions trading scheme.
True cost of personal carbon card plan revealed
29 May 2008
New reports in the UK say an MPs’ idea to issue every citizen there with a personal carbon card will cost up to NZ$6 billion to set up, and the same amount to run each year.
Environmental protection - who's leading?
29 May 2008
Consumers believe the US Government is doing more to potect the environment than corporations.
New US climate change bill will subsidise low-emission energy
28 May 2008
A newer version of the McCain-Lieberman Climate Change Stewardship Bill has been introduced which, when combined with an ETS bill, will incentivise new low-emission energy projects..
10 minutes of Glasnost with Gorbachev
28 May 2008
Mikhail Gorbachev was in the European Parliament yesterday for the Energy Globe Awards where he picked up one for lifetime achievement.
Statesmen and stars feature at EU clean energy awards gala
28 May 2008
A mixture of statesmen, actors and singers joined MEPs and a large audience for the annual Energy Globe Awards in the European Parliament
G8 environment ministers fail to set emissions cut target
28 May 2008
A three-day meeting of G8 environment ministers in Japan has concluded with a familiar call for nations to agree on goals to cut emissions.
Green Tick says it complies with coming EU carbon labelling
27 May 2008
Green Tick says it is the only independent sustainability ecolabel that already meets the coming European Union (EU) requirements for food to be labelled according to its environmental impact and carbon footprint.
Deloitte: most will accept higher power bills to battle global warming
27 May 2008
A majority of Americans say they are willing to pay slightly higher electricity bills to help curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, according to a survey released by the consulting firm Deloitte.
MOODY'S REPORT: ETS could affect heavy emitters' cedit ratings
26 May 2008
Ratings agency Moody's says the European Union's ETS actions could profoundly affect the operations of some of the region's most emissions inensive industries.
New report: Global warming could cost US $3.8 trillion a year by 2100
26 May 2008
A new report says doing nothing on global warming will cost the U.S. economy more than 3.6 percent of GDP — or US$3.8 trillion annually (in today’s dollars) — by 2100.
Big investors call on US Congress to tackle climate issues
26 May 2008
More than 50 leading investors, including the nation’s largest public pension fund and the world’s largest listed hedge fund, have called on the U.S. Senate to enact strong federal legislation to curb the pollution causing global warming.
Australia debates leaving petrol out of ETS
23 May 2008
A major debate is underway in Australia on leaving petrol out of its emissions trading scheme.
EU move toward carbon labelling all imports a major wake up call for New Zealand
23 May 2008
An overnight move by the European Parliament to adopt a report which calls for carbon footprint labels on all goods and services could have major implications for New Zealand’s traders.
Food crisis, climate change and influenza main health threats says UN
23 May 2008
The global food crisis, climate change and pandemic influenza are the main threats to human health, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
Greenpeace: Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony peddling toxic game consoles
23 May 2008
Greenpeace is continuing its attack against game consoles with a new report,”Playing Dirty”
EU Parliament backs report calling for carbon information on imports
22 May 2008
The EU Parliament early this morning NZ time voted 566-61 for a report which says consumers must be given better information about the carbon footprint of goods imported into the 27-nation bloc.
UK Minister: carbon trading works, 100% business compliance
22 May 2008
The final UK results for the first phase of the EU Emissions Trading System, which ended in December 2007, demonstrated that carbon trading can work and helped to cement the UK’s role at the centre of the global carbon market, according to Environment Minister Phil Woolas.
New research: Green labels have major impact consumer behaviour
22 May 2008
Certain labels and certifications that garner higher awareness and understanding, in part driven by their longevity in the marketplace, are the most impactful to consumers, according to Natural Marketing Institute’s 2007 LOHAS Consumer Trends Database.
Symbolic Australia emission credit trade at $19 paves way for new ETS market
22 May 2008
Australia's first symbolic carbon trade has put a symbolic price of $19 a tonne on emissions.
The UK carbon label threat and opportunity: 70% of shoppers notice it
22 May 2008
Seven out of 10 consumers in the UK say new carbon labels on food are making them more aware of the environmental impact of the products and services they are buying.
200 local authorities targeted for NZ$150m power bill cut, emissions fall
22 May 2008
The UK's Carbon Trust now working with more than 200 local authorities to cut carbon and slash energy bills.
Governor vetos third bid to expand Kansas coal plant
21 May 2008
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius yesterday vetoed the Legislature's third attempt at allowing expansion of a coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas
Lawmaker alleges White House role in stopping California emissions law
21 May 2008
WASHINGTON — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency was preparing to join his staff in supporting California's bid to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in vehicles -- until he consulted with the White House, a congressman leading an investigation into the decision said yesterday NZ time.
US' biggest coal burning power firm to turn cow dung into carbon credits
21 May 2008
The American Electric Power company is going to trap methane from cow manure in a bid to earn emission credits.
Unlike Kiwis, four in 10 Tokyo residents won't sacrifice to fight climate change
21 May 2008
More than four in 10 Tokyo residents -- 41.6 percent -- say they "don't want to sacrifice a convenient lifestyle to prevent global warming," according to the poll results published recently by Japanese advertising agency Hakuhodo.
Charles: We've got 18 months to stop climate change disaster
20 May 2008
The Prince of Wales has warned that the world faces a series of natural disasters within 18 months unless urgent action is taken to save the rainforests.
Expert warns climate change will lead to 'barbarisation'
20 May 2008
Climate change will lead to a "fortress world" in which the rich lock themselves away in gated communities and the poor must fend for themselves in shattered environments, unless governments act quickly to curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to the vice-president of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Google Earth maps climate change hotspots
20 May 2008
Google Earth is tracking the effects of climate change following a collaboration with the UK government, the Met Office and the British Antarctic Survey.
Battery subsidy scheme set for 'urgent' overhaul as costs run out of control
16 Dec 2025
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced big changes to the government's battery subsidy scheme amid claims most of its $2.3 billion budget has been spent in just six months.
EPA erases references to human-caused climate change from websites
19 Dec 2025
EPA has scrubbed references to people’s contribution to rising temperatures from some of its climate change webpages.
Verra cancels four tree planting projects in China. And starts reviews of 45 more projects
16 Dec 2025
“Multiple carbon projects in China are facing serious allegations regarding the authenticity of government approval documents."
France updates its 2050 carbon neutrality roadmap
17 Dec 2025
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, France released a revamped climate plan promising to phase out oil and gas and sharply increase electricity use.
Net-zero scenario is ‘cheapest option’ for UK, says energy system operator
15 Dec 2025
A scenario that meets the “net-zero by 2050” goal would be the “cheapest” option for the UK, according to modelling by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
The ecological havens flourishing beneath power lines
19 Dec 2025
Initiatives to foster native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs are turning utility corridors into wildlife corridors.
‘Not normal’: Climate crisis supercharged deadly monsoon floods in Asia
12 Dec 2025
Cyclones like those in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia that killed 1,750 are ‘alarming new reality’.
Pacific fisheries summit gives a boost to albacore and seabirds
19 Dec 2025
Much of the world’s albacore tuna catch, which usually ends up in a can, comes from the southwestern Pacific Ocean, where fishery managers just passed a new set of conservation rules.
Arctic endured year of record heat as climate scientists warn of ‘winter being redefined’
18 Dec 2025
Region known as ‘world’s refrigerator’ is heating up as much as four times as quickly as global average, Noaa experts say.
Are rainforests now a cause of, rather than the answer to, climate change?
15 Dec 2025
A new study finds that Africa’s forests, responsible for one-fifth of global carbon removal, are beginning to generate carbon as the result of human activity.
Thousands of climate disasters are not included in official reports from Amazonian countries
12 Dec 2025
More than 12,500 extreme weather events impacted the Amazon and its population in 10 years, but countries have not generated enough information about it, according to a new scientific study.
UN environment report 'hijacked' by US and others over fossil fuels, top scientist says
11 Dec 2025
A key UN report on the state of the global environment has been "hijacked" by the United States and other countries who were unwilling to go along with the scientific findings, the co-chair has told the BBC.
