New Zealand: Energy
Canberra gives go-ahead to massive coal mine
1 Aug 2014
Australia’s biggest coal mine, the Carmichael Coal and Rail Project this week received the go-ahead from the federal government.
Worth listening to ...
1 Aug 2014
New Zealand-based international engineering company Aurecon is involved in renewable energy projects around this world. But it is pessimistic about the outlook for renewables in New Zealand.
Germany and Britain top the Dirty 30
25 Jul 2014
By KIERAN COOKE.- It’s not the sort of league table that anyone is proud of leading, but a new report on the European Union’s power sector lists the EU’s 30 most polluting energy plants – all powered by coal.
Europe lacks courage on energy targets
25 Jul 2014
In proposing a 30 per cent rather than a 40 per cent energy demand reduction target, the European Commission is increasing the risks that European Union member states face from fossil-fuel dependence and slowing the economic and social benefits of better insulated homes and lower energy bills.
What is the future of coal? It depends on which part of the world you’re talking about
18 Jul 2014
Have reports of coal's demise been greatly exaggerated? It depends which part of the world you look at.
Waste disposal becomes critical as nuclear sites close
18 Jul 2014
Nuclear power is seen as one of the possible solutions to climate change, but the recent closure of five US power stations is forcing the industry to face up at last to the damaging legacy of how to deal with radioactive waste.
Crisis-mauled Montserrat turns disasters to its advantage
11 Jul 2014
The eastern Caribbean island of Montserrat has suffered more than its fair share of natural disasters.
Sydney takes lead role in urban energy drive
11 Jul 2014
Sydney is to head an international network of global cities looking at energy efficiency.
Project sheds light on how we use power
11 Jul 2014
A Victoria University engineering lecturer is shedding light on household power usage, as part of her research into improving the way New Zealand uses electricity.
Asia-Pacific targets $2.5 trillion for renewables
4 Jul 2014
The Asia-Pacific region will invest a massive $3.6 trillion over the years ahead to equip itself with the power capacity it needs for 2030.
Climate target needs new money … but not that much more
4 Jul 2014
Climate change will require substantial new investment in low-carbon energy and energy efficiency – but no more than what is currently spent on today’s fossil-dominated energy system, according to new research.
'I shuddered at the thought of connecting my cooking stove with a toilet’s septic tank'
4 Jul 2014
Sunita Bote, a 30-year-old housewife from the small village of Kumroj in eastern Nepal, was far from convinced when energy specialists from the capital city, Kathmandu, talked about the benefits of constructing a small biogas plant near her house.
Doctors swap fossil fuels for renewables
4 Jul 2014
The body that represents doctors in the UK has voted to end its investments in fossil fuel companies − making it the first national medical organisation in the world to do so.
New solar panel system safer and cheaper
4 Jul 2014
British researchers have found a new way to cut the cost of solar cell manufacture, and at the same time make the process less hazardous.
Coal forever? It depends on what we do now
4 Jul 2014
At the recent midyear UN climate negotiations in Bonn, an unprecedented 60 countries (including Germany) called for a total phase-out of fossil fuels by 2050, as part of a global agreement on climate change to be concluded in Paris in 2015.
Bioenergy group praises Auckland action
4 Jul 2014
Auckland City’s Energy Resilience and Low Carbon Action Plan will create green jobs and economic growth, says the Bioenergy Association.
Why blue means better solar energy systems
27 Jun 2014
When it comes to solar power, it’s a case of the more blue the better, according to Victoria University of Wellington researcher Dr Jonathan Halpert.
Figures show how coal curbs cut gas emissions
20 Jun 2014
Latest energy figures show the dramatic impact cutting coal-fired generation has on greenhouse gas emissions.
Rivers' turn as Wright fires second salvo at Government
20 Jun 2014
The Parliament Commissioner for the Environment has just fired another shot over the bows of the Government for putting economic interests ahead of the environment.
Hot rocks are a core asset for renewable energy
20 Jun 2014
Many countries with volcanoes have long used hot rocks and steam to generate electricity, but new engineering methods promise a boom in geothermal energy.
Foot-draggers back robust 2030 climate goals
20 Jun 2014
A groundswell of public support for binding EU-wide action on renewable energy and energy efficiency has been revealed by a new poll.
Supercritical steam new frontier for power generation
20 Jun 2014
Australian scientists have used solar energy to generate hot and pressurised “supercritical” steam, at the highest temperatures ever achieved in the world outside fossil fuel sources.
Fracking seriously dangerous, say campaigners
20 Jun 2014
Campaigners in the United States are warning that fracking for oil or gas, which has transformed the country’s energy market, is seriously depleting or contaminating supplies of the most vital asset − water
New city hotspots are the air conditioners
13 Jun 2014
Researchers in the United States have identified a way in which city dwellers are inadvertently stoking up the heat of the night – by installing air conditioners
Energy efficient homes could help Treasury balance the books
13 Jun 2014
Britain has just been through an unusually mild winter for the UK. Despite the excessive rain and storms, the warmer temperatures meant the UK needed less energy to heat homes.
How China changes could leave coal a stranded asset
6 Jun 2014
By ALEX KIRBY.- Analysts believe that China − the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for almost half of global consumption − could be close to making an abrupt and drastic change of tack.
New Indian leader inherits energy problems
6 Jun 2014
India’s new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has inherited the on-going problem of supplying energy to one of the world’s largest economies.
Hydrogen and fuel cells worth a look for home heating
30 May 2014
The inhabitants of a frequently cold and windy country like the United Kingdom need to heat their homes, even in what is loosely termed “summer”.
Costly golden oldie now gets heating energy from the sea
30 May 2014
You’re responsible for a historic building, and you’re finding the heating bills an increasing burden? There’s a fairly simple answer − so long as you live near the sea.
Former oil executive joins EPA board
30 May 2014
The latest member appointed to the Environmental Protection Authority has background in the oil and gas industry.
Methane hydtrates are a whole new world
23 May 2014
Last year, Japanese scientists announced they had for the first time extracted gas from offshore deposits of methane hydrate, an ice-like substance made of natural gas trapped inside water crystals.
New-look energy system catches the wind
16 May 2014
A new wind power generation system is so safe it can be built alongside existing city buildings, reducing power transportation costs, its American developer says.
Coal use spiking climate mitigation costs
16 May 2014
The global cost of pegging global warming to 2deg has risen by $8 trillion in the past two years, due to soaring coal use which has eclipsed the roll-out of renewable energies, says a new report.
Can we harness the might of magma?
16 May 2014
Can enormous heat deep in the earth be harnessed to provide energy for us on the surface? A promising report from a geothermal borehole project that accidentally struck magma – the same fiery, molten rock that spews from volcanoes – suggests it could.
Businesses keen on solar, but need official help
9 May 2014
Businesses are about to install enough solar panels on their roofs to generate 5.5 megawatts of electricity – the equivalent of a small hydro power station.
Southland gets nod for wood-fuel hub
9 May 2014
Southland is to become a supply hub for a wood-fuel industry, it has just been announced.
Air NZ aims high with solar power programme
9 May 2014
Air New Zealand will install the largest single solar array in New Zealand at its Auckland Technical Operations base later this month.
Europe reports fall in CO2 emissions from energy use
9 May 2014
The carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion decreased by 2.5 per cent across the European Union last year, according to early estimates published this week.
It’s here … all-weather solar power (even at night)
2 May 2014
With the help of some clever engineering, the power of the Sun can now keep electricity turbines running however cloudy it may be, both night and day.
Science aims to cut brown coal emissions by 50%
2 May 2014
Australian scientists plan to conduct a $A1 million trial with the aim of reducing emissions from brown coal-generated electricity by 50 per cent compared to current technology.
Charge raises questions about 'clean coal' method
2 May 2014
Recent news that a gas project in Queensland has been charged with environmental harm has put the spotlight on underground coal gasification, or UCG.
LEDs light the path for bulb sales
2 May 2014
Philips Lighting says that its latest market data shows uptake of LED lighting continues to increase.
Householders doing their bit in Australia
24 Apr 2014
The latest review of Australia’s energy-saving appliance scheme has delivered a rare trifecta: a good news story for the economy, the community and the environment.
The energy revolution is jammed in reverse
24 Apr 2014
Keeping the rise in global average temperatures to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels will not be prohibitively expensive, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says, though it won't be easy.
Alpha Coal ruling breaks new ground for mining
11 Apr 2014
By MATHEW CURRELL.- This week's court ruling on the future of the $A6.4 billion Alpha coal project in Queensland - set to be one of the biggest coal mines in the world - is of major significance for how mining projects are assessed in Australia.
UN to promote sustainable energy for all
11 Apr 2014
The United Nations has launched the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, an initiative aimed at promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency worldwide
Let's get together, says UK energy expert
21 Mar 2014
Huge potential exists for New Zealand and Britain to collaborate on the science and technology of renewable energies, says the British Foreign Office chief scientific adviser.
Power emissions down for quarter
21 Mar 2014
New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions from electricity are at a 17-year low.
BP urges progress on global carbon price
21 Mar 2014
By ED KING .- Oil giant BP says regional and national carbon pricing policies are likely to be the best way to tackle climate change.
Minister names forum members
21 Mar 2014
The Government has named the members of its Smart Grid Forum.
Gene tech reforms face political split
Thu 23 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams |The Government’s Gene Technology Bill continues to divide Parliament, after the Health Select Committee released its long-awaited report last week outlining key recommendations and lingering concerns.
Council buys dairy farm to help clean up Lake Rotorua
21 Oct 2025
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has bought a 266-hectare dairy farm in the Lake Rotorua catchment and plans to retire it from production to reduce nitrogen entering the lake.
Emissions down slightly - Stats NZ
Fri 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.
NZ’s government wants tourism to drive economic growth – but how will it deal with aviation emissions?
Wed 22 Oct 2025
By Robert McLachlan, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University | Following a brief dip during the COVID pandemic, aviation is back in a growth phase.
Emails show forestry lobby fought Gisborne crackdown as slash clean-up drags on
26 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Sustainable land use advocates are accusing Eastland Wood Council of stonewalling efforts to tighten forestry rules, after correspondence between the group and the local council was released under the Official Information Act.
Govt to ease climate reporting thresholds, water down liability
Wed 22 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The rollback of climate change reporting requirements has produced a wave of relief in corporate New Zealand as managed investment funds and listed companies with annual revenue under $1 billion are exempted.
