New Zealand: Energy
Solar power and saltwater to grow veges in desert
10 Apr 2017
A Norwegian company plans to establish a solar-powered facility in the Aqaba desert in Jordan, capable of growing a variety of crops without wasting any fresh water.
POWER POSERS: Energy industry worries and waits
7 Apr 2017
Uncertainty over the Government’s plans to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change is keeping New Zealand’s energy executives awake at night, says the World Energy Council.
Brexit barrier to clean energy, says WEC
7 Apr 2017
Brexit is undermining Europe’s switch to renewable energy, the World Energy Council says.
Green HQ gets green light
7 Apr 2017
In a case of gamekeeper-turned-poacher, New Zealand’s Green Building Council has improved the environmental performance of its own office.
Europe votes to take action on palm oil
7 Apr 2017
The European Parliament this week adopted a resolution calling the European Commission to phase out the use of biofuels based on vegetable oils by 2020, and to establish a single certification scheme to guarantee only sustainably produced palm oil enters the EU market.
Europe vows no new coal-fired plants from 2020
6 Apr 2017
Europe’s energy utilities have rung a death knell for coal, with a historic pledge that no new coal-fired plants will be built in the EU after 2020.
Renewables cut Europe's carbon emissions by 10%
5 Apr 2017
A surge in the use of wind and solar energy helped Europe to cut its fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by about 10 per cent in 2015.
Carbon law could make Paris promise a reality
4 Apr 2017
By 2020, fossil fuels will no longer be subsidised by the taxpayer, anywhere in the world. And by then, carbon dioxide emissions worldwide will have started to fall.
SOLAR SURGE: Renewable energy sets new record
31 Mar 2017
Global renewable energy capacity increased by 161GW last year, setting a new deployment record for the sector.
How an energy icon bet on nuclear power - and lost
30 Mar 2017
Westinghouse, once synonymous with America’s industrial might, wagered its future on nuclear power ... and lost.
A ‘cold economy’ could bring environmental benefits
29 Mar 2017
The ability to keep things cold is a pillar of modern society – demand is booming worldwide to deliver air conditioning, data centre cooling and transport refrigeration, particularly in emerging economies.
Quiet revolution cuts energy consumption
29 Mar 2017
Energy efficiency is a subject unlikely to grab the headlines, but there is a quiet revolution under way that is changing the electricity industry and helping to save the planet from climate change.
Some emissions rise ... some emissions fall
28 Mar 2017
New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions from energy fell overall in the December quarter – but the rising use of liquid fossil fuels means emissions from transport are climbing.
'Poor losers' report out of step, says solar company
28 Mar 2017
A report showing widespread uptake of solar energy will push power costs up for the poorest New Zealanders is out of step with international findings, says a solar energy company.
Solar panels could cost the poor, says report
27 Mar 2017
Mass uptake of solar panels and electric vehicles could make New Zealand’s poorest worse off, says a new report.
NET-ZERO REPORT: We can do more, says bioenergy industry
24 Mar 2017
A cross-party report on how New Zealand can get to net-zero emissions in the second half of the century ignores some immediate opportunities, the Bioenergy Association says.
Moore’s Law for carbon could beat global warming
24 Mar 2017
A plan to halve carbon emissions every decade, while green energy continues to double every five years, provides a simple but rigorous roadmap to tackle climate change, scientists say.
Coal in freefall as new plants dive by two-thirds
23 Mar 2017
The amount of new coal power being built around the world fell by nearly two-thirds last year, prompting campaigners to claim the polluting fossil fuel is in freefall.
European cities want 10 million smart streetlamps
23 Mar 2017
Local governments around Europe paid €7.6 billion to light public streets in 2015. But their bills could be cut down by up to 70 per cent if local governments are willing to shell out extra funds to install new lighting.
Norway must put oil ventures to ‘climate test’
23 Mar 2017
Norway has some of the most ambitious emissions policies in the world, but is opening oil fields that cannot pay back in a safe climate future.
Peak oil? Sooner than you think
22 Mar 2017
Once peak oil is finally reached – whenever that is – demand will begin to drop thereafter, perhaps precipitously.
South Australian energy plan signals storage revolution
21 Mar 2017
Australia's largest battery storage technology will be built in South Australia to warehouse renewable energy, providing more affordable and reliable electricity, along with jobs and investment.
Wind turbine manufacturer needs more capital
20 Mar 2017
Windflow Technology, the unprofitable wind turbine manufacturer, has widened its first-half loss and says it needs new injections of capital.
China kickstarting coal boom in Pakistan
20 Mar 2017
In a region of Pakistan besieged by drought, and blessed with solar potential, China is funding the expansion of huge new coal projects.
Windfarms commercial director to run company
20 Mar 2017
NZ Windfarms says its new commercial director, John Worth, will assume full responsibility for the company's daily operations, taking over from acting chief executive Stuart Bauld.
Scotland goes big with offshore wind farm
17 Mar 2017
The Scottish government has approved planning consent for one of the world’s largest floating offshore wind farms.
Global solar leaps 50% thanks to US and China
9 Mar 2017
The amount of solar power added worldwide soared by 50 per cent last year because of a sun rush in the US and China.
Energy needs broader view, says new minister
8 Mar 2017
New Zealand needs to broaden use of renewable energy beyond the electricity generation, says the new energy minister - but she expects fossil fuels to stay in the mix.
Back us and we'll build more plants, says Z biofuel
7 Mar 2017
New Zealand’s largest liquid-fuel retailer says it could build another six biodiesel plants – if it gets the right support.
UK emissions at lowest level since 19th century
7 Mar 2017
The UK’s carbon dioxide emissions have fallen to their lowest level since the 19th century as coal use continues to plummet.
Let's talk about emissions, fuels firm tells public
6 Mar 2017
A company whose products are responsible for 9 per cent of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions is asking the public what it can do to reduce them.
America’s ‘hidden subsidies’ worth $170b a year
6 Mar 2017
Donald Trump wants to restrict or even abolish the US Environmental Protection Agency. In particular, he is proposing to dramatically limit the federal agency’s power to regulate carbon dioxide emissions.
ENERGY REPORT: Great ideas but they're not happening
2 Mar 2017
New Zealand’s own scientists’ advice – that the country must move urgently to a low-carbon energy system – has been endorsed by the International Energy Agency, albeit in a sanitised way.
China coal use fell again in 2016
2 Mar 2017
China’s coal consumption fell in 2016 – the third year in a row the world’s biggest polluter has cut back its use of the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel.
Germany’s e-car plan might increase emissions
2 Mar 2017
Germany has ambitious plans for both electric cars and renewable energy. But it can’t deliver both.
Our environment image at risk, says global agency
1 Mar 2017
New Zealand risks damaging its clean-and-green reputation by failing to cut its greenhouse gas emissions, the International Energy Agency warns.
Government pension scheme begins ditching oil and gas
28 Feb 2017
A UK pension scheme with more than four million members is shifting almost 10 per cent of its investments into a new climate change fund designed to move people’s money out of fossil fuels and into renewable energy.
EU’s clean energy package gets national support
28 Feb 2017
EU energy ministers have backed the third version of the 28-country bloc’s clean energy package, praising its focus on renewables, energy efficiency and consumers.
Battery storage industry to fight Australian bans
27 Feb 2017
The world’s biggest battery manufacturers say they will fight Australia's proposed new guidelines and recommendations that could ban battery storage units from inside homes and garages.
How a Danish island did zero carbon in less than 10 years
27 Feb 2017
The Danish island of Samso's energy makeover took less than a decade and was spurred on by local commitment.
UK tidal project could spark global revolution
24 Feb 2017
Ambitious plans have been drawn up for a network of “tidal lagoons” around the UK coast that could provide up to a quarter of the country’s electricity – and there is potential to roll out the technology in many parts of the world.
This is what 4 million solar panels look like from space
24 Feb 2017
On the Tibetan Plateau in eastern China, four million solar panels silently soak up the sun as part of the Longyangxia Dam Solar Park. It’s the largest solar farm in the world, spreading over 10 square miles of the high desert landscape.
The age of the giant battery is almost upon us
23 Feb 2017
The idea that giant batteries might someday revolutionise electrical grids has long enthralled clean-power advocates and environmentalists. Now it’s attracting bankers with the money to make it happen.
Govt could end up in court over energy plan, warns campaigner
21 Feb 2017
The Government risks court action over its latest energy efficiency strategy, says energy campaigner Jeanette Fitzsimons.
How India subsidises electricity only for the rich
21 Feb 2017
While more than 20 per cent of India’s population has no access to electricity, the richest 40 per cent of the population gets highly subsidised power.
Small businesses dragging the energy chain
20 Feb 2017
New Zealand’s small businesses are lagging behind in adopting energy efficiency measures that could save them significant amounts of money – even though most say that their energy costs are significant, a new study shows.
How your life could change without fossil fuels
17 Feb 2017
Here is a vision of the future in a warming world without fossil fuels:
US marks record year for solar power
17 Feb 2017
The US solar market last year nearly doubled its annual record, installing 14,626MW of solar PV, representing a whopping 95 per cent growth increase over 2015.
Stop fossil fuels subsidies, say major investors
16 Feb 2017
A group of investors and insurers who manage $US2.8 trillion have called on the G20 to end public funding for coal, oil and gas by 2020.
Pressure group takes coal case to court
15 Feb 2017
Development of a new open-cast coal mine near Westport is being challenged in court.
Greens slam move to disband Environment Ministry
Fri 20 Feb 2026
The Green Party has joined climate and health advocates in condemning the Government's decision to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment as part of a multi-ministry merger.
Govt's solar on farms initiative to cut costs, boost resilience
Tue 17 Feb 2026
Farms across Aotearoa will begin installing solar panels and battery systems as part of a government-backed demonstration programme designed to test whether on-farm renewable energy can reduce electricity costs and improve energy security for the food and fibre sector.
Annual emissions fell to lowest in 15 years in Sept 2025
5 Feb 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest annual total in the year to September 2025 since records began 2010, according to Statistics New Zealand data published this morning.
NZ could become ‘dumping ground’ for dirty vehicles: Commissioner
16 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has warned the Government that its changes to the clean car standard could turn the country into a dumping ground for high emitting cars, making future emissions budgets harder to achieve.
Slash for cash turns storm debris into jobs and climate resilience
Thu 19 Feb 2026
A community-led initiative in Tairāwhiti is transforming storm-damaged forestry slash into jobs, soil regeneration and long-term climate resilience.
Kiwi startup takes on global plastic pollution
12 Feb 2026
A New Zealand startup is launching what it says is the world’s first plastic-free effervescent drink tablet, with the ambitious aim of eliminating bottled beverages to reduce global plastic pollution.
