News Direct: All stories
Right approach required for river work expectations
Fri 5 Dec 2025
Media release | Tasman District Council is focused on ensuring long-term resilience and protection for our river and floodplains.
CLIMATE CALENDAR
Fri 5 Dec 2025
The Carbon News calendar of talks, events, conferences, consultations, and petitions related to climate change.
NZ and US deepen Antarctic science partnership
Thu 4 Dec 2025
Media release: New Zealand Government | New joint research initiatives focused on climate and ecosystem change expand on the long-standing collaboration between New Zealand and the United States on Antarctic science and logistics, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti.
New alliance launched to speed up nature regeneration across Tāmaki Auckland
Thu 4 Dec 2025
Media release | The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) has launched a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the ecological crisis impacting the Tāmaki Auckland region.
New invention cleans up greenhouse gases
Mon 1 Dec 2025
Media release: University of Auckland | A new device that removes greenhouse gases released during surgery has been successfully trialled at an Auckland hospital.
Too much credit: No connection between carbon markets and climate ambition, study finds
Mon 1 Dec 2025
Media release: Carbon Market Watch | Our latest research undermines a prevalent greenwishing hypothesis that corporate investments in the voluntary carbon market boost or reflect a company’s climate ambition.
Study provides a step-change in understanding NZ’s groundwater
28 Nov 2025
Media release | Earth Sciences New Zealand has developed a world-first National Groundwater Age Map and a powerful suite of tools to support the sustainable management of our hidden groundwater resources, from national through to local scales.
Councils call for action on sweltering new homes
26 Nov 2025
Media release | The New Zealand Green Building Council and Auckland Council are calling for Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk to take steps to address the problem of new homes overheating.
COP30: Summary and what it means for New Zealand
25 Nov 2025
Media release: Lawyers for Climate Action NZ | COP30 wrapped up over the weekend - the first COP since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) released its landmark Advisory Opinion on states’ obligations on climate change.
Simon Watts was right about Pacific climate support at COP30, now we must deliver
25 Nov 2025
Media release: Oxfam Aotearoa | At COP30 in Brazil, New Zealand has joined other higher-income countries in reaffirming their pledge to triple climate funding for lower-income countries by 2035.
Insurers welcome govt decision to keep NHC levy unchanged
21 Nov 2025
Media release |The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) has welcomed the Government’s decision to leave the Natural Hazards Commission levy unchanged, amid ongoing concerns around the cost-of-living.
New carbon calculator helps Kiwirail customers make sustainable choices
21 Nov 2025
Media release | KiwiRail has launched a carbon calculator to meet increasing demand from customers wanting to compare carbon emissions from rail, road and air.
NZ and Iceland collaborate on geothermal energy
20 Nov 2025
Media release: New Zealand Government | New Zealand and Iceland today signed an agreement to deepen cooperation on geothermal energy development.
Climate Leaders Coalition launches next chapter
20 Nov 2025
Media release: Sustainable Business Council | The Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) is this morning unveiling a new Statement of Ambition and refreshed Strategy, marking the next step in business-led climate action in New Zealand – just as COP30 concludes in Belém.
Ministers urge decisive methane action as global report shows progress, warns of gaps
19 Nov 2025
Media release: UN Environment Programme | The Global Methane Status Report, launched on the sidelines of COP30 in Belém, shows that while considerable progress has been made since the launch of the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, more work is required to align with the level of ambition and action needed to meet the Pledge.
Aotearoa to host nationwide week of climate action in celebration of AlterCOP30
17 Nov 2025
Media release | Aotearoa is set to bring the spirit of the global climate summit COP home this November, as climate groups across the motu join forces for AlterCOP30 New Zealand – five days of climate kōrero, creativity and collective action.
Kaicycle celebrates ten years of collective climate action in Pōneke
14 Nov 2025
Media release: Kaicycle | Since 2015, Kaicycle has grown from a humble pilot project growing kai and collecting compost on bicycles into the thriving urban farm and composting hub that Wellingtonians know and love.
New research to strengthen Pacific healthcare facilities against climate threats
14 Nov 2025
Media release: Fred Hollows Foundation | A major initiative to strengthen the climate resilience of Pacific healthcare facilities has been undertaken by New Zealand charity The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ.
Building resilient cities in a time of climate change
13 Nov 2025
Media release: Otago University | Local and international experts are meeting in Wellington this month to share their knowledge on creating healthier, more resilient cities in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.
How climate alters earthquake risk
12 Nov 2025
Media release | Falling water levels in one of Africa’s largest lakes, driven by changes in climate, led to a rise in earthquakes, according to research led by Dr James Muirhead of the University of Auckland.
Big players dropping the ball on climate change
7 Nov 2025
Media release | New Zealand’s major sports bodies are lagging behind much of the world when it comes to climate action, says University of Auckland sociologist Dr Chris McMillan.
New Indigenous-led Climate Institute opens at Lincoln University
6 Nov 2025
Media release | Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University proudly announces a pivotal new chapter in climate resilience with the establishment of the Kāika Institute of Climate Resilience.
UN Body agrees first methodology under Paris Agreement carbon market
5 Nov 2025
Media release | The UN body responsible for setting up an international carbon market under the Paris Agreement has agreed its first new methodology, which sets out how emissions reductions from a specific project type can be calculated.
Auckland Council toughens up on building in flood risk areas
5 Nov 2025
Media release: Auckland Council | From Monday 3 November 2025, stronger planning rules take effect in Auckland to better protect people and property from natural hazards.
Negative implications for ETS of delaying emissions budget decisions
4 Nov 2025
AN OPEN LETTER to Climate Change Minister Simon Watts | We are concerned about negative ETS implications of the government’s announced two-year delay to decisions on emissions budgets.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council welcomes new flood data
3 Nov 2025
Media release | Hawke’s Bay Regional Council welcomes the release of the National Flood Tool and accompanying data by Earth Sciences New Zealand. This is an important contribution to understanding the impacts of climate change for New Zealand.
Developing countries will need US$310 billion annually for climate adaptation by 2035
31 Oct 2025
Media release - UN Environment Programme: Slow climate adaptation is threatening lives and economies.
What will it take to stop Antarctic ice shelves from collapsing?
30 Oct 2025
Media release: Springer Nature | Up to 59% of Antarctic ice shelves may be at risk of disappearing under high-emission scenarios by 2300, according to a comprehensive analysis of the effect of ocean warming published in Nature.
Enviroschools hui coming up
29 Oct 2025
Media release: Otago Regional Council | Enviroschools is continuing to inspire students through practical action with six hui scheduled for schools across Otago during Term 4 – spanning October through to early-December.
UC launches interactive tool for low-carbon urban planning
28 Oct 2025
Media release | University of Canterbury researchers launch an interactive mapping tool to help urban planners and local councils design lower-carbon neighbourhoods.
Carbon Finance Program upscales efforts to close climate investment gap in climate vulnerable nations
22 Oct 2025
Media release | The Climate Vulnerable Forum and its V20 Finance Ministers (CVF-V20) will work with the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) to upscale the Carbon Finance Program in reach and impact, supporting more climate-vulnerable countries to host high-integrity carbon projects that yield tangible climate, nature, and sustainable development benefits.
New methane research barn boosts farmer options
20 Oct 2025
Media release | The Government has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has said at the opening of a new state-of-the-art methane research facility in the Waikato.
Councils need funding tools to address climate challenges – LGNZ
17 Oct 2025
Media release | Local Government New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s new National Adaptation Framework, while cautioning that councils will struggle to meet its new expectations without additional funding tools.
AgriZeroNZ board reinforced to drive methane reduction
17 Oct 2025
Media release | Two experienced agribusiness leaders have been appointed to the AgriZeroNZ board to help the public-private joint venture’s efforts to drive the adoption of new tools to reduce on-farm emissions.
Unlocking the national potential of flexible energy use through residential appliances – EECA calling for submissions
16 Oct 2025
Media release | EECA is asking for feedback from the energy sector on a newly published green paper about unlocking the potential of demand flexibility through end-use products, such as appliances, used in New Zealand homes.
Lightyears secures funding for solar farm portfolio expansion
15 Oct 2025
Media release | Solar farm developer, Lightyears, has refinanced with Australian renewables lender, Infradebt, to take their portfolio of solar farms to 27MW, split across five farms. Three farms are already operational and two more are under construction.
Te Kāhu Pōkere prepare to take flight for COP30
14 Oct 2025
Media release | With just weeks until they depart for Brazil, Te Kāhu Pōkere – the first iwi-mandated Māori youth delegation to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference – will gather for their final wānanga in Pōneke next week.
European Union invests into groundbreaking Christchurch environmental projects
13 Oct 2025
Media release – Christchurch City Council | Two Christchurch City Council restoration projects in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor have been selected to partner in a significant European Union environmental initiative.
Climate change could strain GP access, research warns
10 Oct 2025
Media release - University of Canterbury | New UC research shows the serious effects that climate change could have on New Zealand’s health system, making it even harder for people to see a GP.
Bottom trawling a triple threat to marine environments - new report
9 Oct 2025
Media release | Greenpeace is calling for urgent action to restrict bottom trawling after a new government report highlights the compounding effects this destructive fishing method has on climate change, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.
Fix it, don't ditch it: University of Auckland hosts first Repair Cafe
9 Oct 2025
Media release - Auckland University | The University's first-ever Repair Cafe is bringing students and staff together to give broken items a new lease on life, while promoting a culture of repair and reuse.
Online tool aims to reduce road freight emissions
9 Oct 2025
Media release | Road freight association Transporting New Zealand are announcing the launch of an online tool that aims to help the industry decarbonise.
Port Marlborough delivers on strategy with sustainable investments
7 Oct 2025
Media release | Port Marlborough reports a resilient performance for the 2025 financial year, with revenue of $46 million and a projected dividend of $4.2 million to its shareholder Marlborough District Council Holdings. The result demonstrates disciplined delivery against strategy, major investment in sustainable infrastructure and partnerships that support Marlborough’s economy, people and environment.
UC wins top international award for civics education
6 Oct 2025
Media release | A University of Canterbury research group has received international recognition at the highest level of political science.
Environment Minister abusing role to put freshwater at risk – Greens
3 Oct 2025
Media release – Green Party | Documents obtained under the Official Information Act have revealed the Minister for the Environment is pressuring local councils to allow ‘water take’ consents for a group of farmers that includes her party colleague, in a catchment already showing signs of serious decline.
Study warns climate leadership falling short in NZ
1 Oct 2025
Media release - Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland | Research suggests New Zealand’s climate leadership is falling short, with current adaptation efforts focused on property and cost-cutting rather than protecting communities.
Solar investment to cut long-term costs at Te Ngaengae Pool
1 Oct 2025
Media release | Hutt City Council has confirmed it will reinvest part of the remaining budget from the Te Ngaengae Pool and Fitness project into a large-scale solar panel installation. An invest-to-save measure that will help cut running costs.
Auckland Transport and Kinetic charging ahead for sustainability
30 Sep 2025
Media release | Auckland Transport (AT) and bus operator Kinetic and have taken another step in their decarbonisation journeys with major upgrades completed at Kinetic’s Glenfield bus depot to support a growing zero emissions fleet.
Day of action against incinerators
29 Sep 2025
Media release | Zero Waste Aotearoa will call on the Ministry for the Environment to embrace real solutions to waste and climate change, not toxic pollution from incineration as part of an international day of action on Tuesday 30 September.
China's new target unlikely to drive down emissions
26 Sep 2025
Media release - Climate Action Tracker | China’s new 2035 climate target, announced at the UN, marks a shift from emission and energy intensity targets to setting absolute emission reduction targets for the first time.
Right approach required for river work expectations
Fri 5 Dec 2025
Media release | Tasman District Council is focused on ensuring long-term resilience and protection for our river and floodplains.
