Markets: Analysis
Big players snaffle up bulk of NZUs at auction
11 May 2022
The top five successful bidders at the last NZ ETS auction snaffled up 78% of the NZUs on offer.
Emissions Trading Register transactions up by more than 70% so far this year
5 May 2022
The number of transactions on the Emissions Trading Register jumped by 72% in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2021.
Carbon volatility makes tomorrow's auction hard to pick
15 Mar 2022
Last month, tomorrow's ETS auction seemed a foregone conclusion. The price of NZUs had hit an all time high of $86.25 and with a price containment reserve of just $70, the reserve's 7 million additional NZUs seemed certain to be snapped up.
Carbon correction
28 Feb 2022
After reaching a high of $86.25 on the spot market earlier this month, NZUs closed at $80.75 on Friday.
Are GDP growth and GHG emissions decoupling?
11 Feb 2022
Mathematician and climate blogger professor Robert McLachlan says a drop in industrial emissions during a period of economic growth, reported by Stats NZ yesterday, could be the start decarbonisation.
ANZ economist warns of price volatility in carbon market
8 Feb 2022
ANZ agricultural economist Susan Kilsby has warned that the price of carbon "could move sharply in either direction" in an in-depth backgrounder on New Zealand's carbon market.
Number of NZUs entering ETS could be cut
26 Jan 2022
The number of NZUs on offer could be reduced in the future to take account of the extra units entering the system through the cost containment reserve mechanism, climate change minister James Shaw says.
Carbon prices, long in the dumps, surge in U.S. and Europe
10 Dec 2021
Carbon bulls are on the ride.
London Stock Exchange aims to bring firms’ carbon claims ‘out into daylight’
10 Nov 2021
The London Stock Exchange is aiming to make funding for carbon reduction projects more transparent, introducing a new market that it says will help the industry to scale.
The carbon offset market could be worth $200 billion by 2050. But what is it?
19 Oct 2021
Companies and people who want to cancel out the impact of their emissions on the climate often turn to something called carbon offsetting.
Two players bought nearly 60% of NZUs on offer at last ETS auction
8 Oct 2021
Two of the 77 participants in September’s ETS auction snaffled up a combined 56.8% of the 11.75 million NZUs on offer – which included the 7 million extra units released when the $50 cost containment reserve was breached
Te Ao Maori inspires Netflix nature documentary
6 Jul 2021
The scientists behind a groundbreaking new book and Netflix documentary credit their time in New Zealand with an “awakening” on the importance of indigenous knowledge in preventing environmental catastrophe
NZU prices plateau before 2nd ETS auction
22 Jun 2021
Prices for NZUs have plateaued around the $41 mark in the lead up to tomorrow’s ETS auction.
NZ carbon price hits all time highs
15 Jun 2021
NZUs fixed at $40.50 on both CommTrade and Carbon Match yesterday, an all time high but still only about half of what's being paid for carbon credits Europe and the UK.
How voluntary offsets can help us meet our Paris promise
30 Mar 2021
New Zealand should have a two-pronged voluntary carbon-offsetting framework to boost climate change, a new report says.
Don't miss getting your emissions return in
29 Mar 2021
Anyone who miss this week’s deadline for Emissions Trading Scheme returns is risking stiff new penalties.
Carbon markets prove resilient to the coronavirus pandemic
25 Mar 2021
After the 2008 global financial crisis, the price of pollution permits on the European Union emissions trading system plummeted, hitting confidence in carbon markets as a lever for climate action.
Why we need a carbon club
25 Mar 2021
If the three biggest economies - China, the United States and the European Union - agree a carbon tax on imports, it will catalyse climate action globally, a new paper says.
Carbon holds up in wake of first auction
18 Mar 2021
Secondary carbon trading in New Zealand is reacting calmly to yesterday’s first auction of credits.
First carbon auction clears at $36
17 Mar 2021
The first Government auction of carbon credits today saw all 4.75 million NZUs sell at $36.
Super-registry to keep market honest
10 Mar 2021
A planned meta-registry will help stop double-dipping on carbon credits, its developer says.
New platform sets new record price
22 Feb 2021
THE COUNTRY’S newest carbon platform has done its first trade.
Sign up for first carbon auction now
18 Feb 2021
The Government’s new carbon-auctioning website is live.
Deadline set for auction collateral
16 Feb 2021
If you are planning on taking part in the country's first carbon auction, you have until March 10 to hand over your collateral.
MARKET LATESTl NZUs $39.10
10 Feb 2021
Spot NZUs opened at $38.60 bid and $39.60 offered on CommTrade this morning, after last fixing at $39.10.
Carbon hits new record-high
2 Feb 2021
Carbon prices are trading at record prices in the wake of the release of draft recommendations for the country's first carbon budgets.
$50 is not a price cap, says NZX
29 Jan 2021
Domestic carbon prices could go above $50 a tonne even if the new cost-containment reserve is triggered.
Auction platform passes first test
28 Jan 2021
New Zealand’s new carbon-auctioning seems to be working smoothly.
Auctioning system to be tested
13 Jan 2021
Simulated auctions of NZUs will be held on January 27 and 28 to test whether the country is ready for the new auctioning regime.
MARKEST LATEST: NZUs $37.62
23 Dec 2020
Spot NZUs opened at $37.50 bid and $37.75 offered on CommTrade this morning, after last fixing at $37.62.
Carbon continues its bull run
10 Dec 2020
Spot NZUs have hit $38 just two days after reaching $37, tempting sellers back into the market.
Carbon hits yet another high
9 Dec 2020
Carbon prices crashed through the $37.50 mark yesterday, closing at a record $37.55 on both CommTrade and Carbon Match.
Carbon prices keep climbing
8 Dec 2020
Carbon prices pushed higher again yesterday, making daily gains of 1.64 per cent on both major trading platforms.
Carbon on a barn-storming run
7 Dec 2020
Carbon prices are continuing their climb, recording gains of almost 50 per cent for the year.
Surging prices see carbon up 47% in a year
4 Dec 2020
Carbon prices continued their upward charge yesterday, gaining 25 cents to contribute to a phenomenal 47 per cent rise over a year.
Record price for NZ carbon
3 Dec 2020
New Zealand carbon prices have broken through a new price barrier, with spot NZUs now trading more than $1 above the fixed-price option.
Big prices but little supply in NZ carbon market
19 Nov 2020
Carbon prices are continuing to climb, with sellers now seeking up to $35.90 for spot NZUs.
Reluctant sellers push carbon to a new high
18 Nov 2020
Carbon prices are hitting new highs, with spot NZUs trading at $35.70 on CommTrade this morning.
US and Europe want our carbon credits
16 Nov 2020
International interest is growing in New Zealand’s carbon market as units hit record prices.
Carney calls for credible voluntary carbon market
12 Nov 2020
United Nations special envoy and former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney wants stronger quality control on voluntary carbon markets to meet growing business demand.
NZX wants 'efficient' links to secondary market
22 Oct 2020
The Government’s new carbon-auctioning site could be connected to platforms in the secondary market.
Carbon auctioning platform operator revealed
21 Oct 2020
NZX has won the right to set up and operate the Government’s carbon-auctioning platform.
Election has little impact on carbon markets
20 Oct 2020
Carbon markets have barely reacted to the general election, which returned Labour to power with an absolutely majority and arguably an endorsement of its actions on climate change.
MARKEST LATEST: NZUs $35
17 Sep 2020
Spot NZUs opened at $34.90 bid and $35.20 offered on CommTrade this morning after last fixing at $35.
Carbon hits a new high and looks set to go higher
16 Sep 2020
New Zealand carbon prices have broken through the $35 expected to act as a price cap and are being tipped to go higher.
ANZ cracking down on customers' carbon footprints
10 Sep 2020
A major New Zealand bank is asking its biggest-emitting customers to explain how they will reduce their carbon footprints.
Where the Redd went wrong
18 Aug 2020
International conservation is known for its pursuit of global, ‘win-win’ solutions that seek to simultaneously address multiple environmental and social issues. But few proposed solutions have offered as much hope, and been so energetically embraced, as REDD+.
Has our 2030 carbon debt just got bigger?
14 Aug 2020
More than a fifth of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions last year were covered by the fixed-price option, potentially increasing the size of the country’s 2030 carbon liability.
John Kerry backs new carbon-price ETF
4 Aug 2020
John Kerry is betting that Wall Street will succeed where governments failed in the fight against climate change.
Govt weakens climate legislation, strips CCC’s powers
Wed 5 Nov 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Government has announced sweeping changes to key climate legislation, including stripping the independent Climate Change Commission of one of its core roles, and removing the requirement that Emissions Trading Scheme settings align with international climate targets.
Here comes the sun: solar surge gathers pace
Tue 4 Nov 2025
More than $700 million of new solar investment advanced last week, underscoring the pace of the renewable buildout.
NZ off-track for 2030 methane target
Thu 6 Nov 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is no longer on track to meet its 2030 methane target, according to the Ministry for the Environment.
Emissions down slightly - Stats NZ
24 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.5% in the June 2025 quarter, although the decline seems to reflect the economy continuing to contract rather than Aoteoroa inching towards decarbonisation goals.
Christchurch Airport boasts world-first liquid-hydrogen refuelling for test aircraft
30 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Local companies working on hydrogen-electric flight have made ‘a significant step forward’ in successfully filling aviation tanks with liquid hydrogen produced and stored on-site at an international airport for the first time.
From pines to natives: Nelson's forestry reset begins
29 Oct 2025
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | Nelson City Council’s transition away from clear-fell pine forestry is well underway with around 74,000 trees planted in the Maitai and Marsden Valleys this winter.
Vero warns losses to rise 26% by 2050 over extreme weather
29 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Extreme weather could drive a 19–26% spike in annual insurance losses by 2050, fuelled by rising seas and more intense flooding, according to Vero’s latest Climate-Related Disclosures Report.
