News Direct: All stories
Minister goes off half-cock, says lobby group
26 May 2009
Environment Minister Nick Smith should not "go off at half-cock" with his proposal announced last week of a possible national environment standard on sea-level rise, says the Climate Science Coalition.
New web firm aims to fill up the trucks
26 May 2009
A new web-based company that brings together road transport companies and freight providers online to eliminate empty truck running, improve freight efficiency and reduce unnecessary vehicle emissions has just been launched.
Yarn-maker takes EECA award
22 May 2009
Winners of the 2009 Awards for excellence and innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy were announced last night at an awards ceremony in Auckland, hosted by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Simply Energy deal offers alternative supply option
22 May 2009
Simply Energy has signed a three-year agreement with EDC Ltd to sell generation from EDC’s Silverstream landfill gas plant direct to end users, bypassing traditional generator-retailers.
Biodiesel grants scheme briefings
22 May 2009
MAY 22 - Official briefings on the Government's new biodeisel grants scheme and how to qualify for grants are planned in in three main centres from May 22.
Waikato farmers snap up native plants
22 May 2009
Waikato farmers have bought a record number of native trees and shrubs this year for environmental restoration projects through an annual Environment Waikato offer.
Labour welcomes Commerce Commission report on energy sector
22 May 2009
The report of the Commerce Commission into the pricing behaviour of the New Zealand power generation sector has been welcomed by Labour, finance and energy spokespeople David Cunliffe and Charles Chauvel say.
Government forces Kiwis into cars, say Greens
22 May 2009
The Government’s plan for transport spending shows no vision and leaves New Zealanders with no other choice but to drive, the Green Party say.
Acidic oceans could aid photosynthesis, says researcher
19 May 2009
Ground-breaking Victoria University research shows that ocean acidification may have no negative effect on tropical corals and local sea anemones—in fact it may improve photosynthesis.
Crude oil lowers producers' input prices
19 May 2009
Producers' input prices, as measured in the Producers Price Index (PPI), fell 2.5 per cent and output prices fell 1.4 percent in the March 2009 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said this week.
Business leaders pool plans for green economic success
15 May 2009
An economic recovery fuelled by sustainable business will be the focus when some of New Zealand’s most successful and progressive thinkers and business leaders meet in Auckland on May 26.
Straterra welcomes tax exemption for oil and gas exploration
15 May 2009
Straterra, the industry group representing New Zealand’s natural resources industries, has welcomed Government plans to extend tax exemption for offshore oil and gas exploration.
Solid Energy in talks with Downer EDI Mining over Stockton
15 May 2009
Solid Energy has selected Downer EDI Mining to negotiate an alliance arrangement to jointly manage and operate Stockton Opencast Mine in Buller from the beginning of October this year.
Green calculators add up for environment, says Canon
15 May 2009
Canon New Zealand has launched a new range of "green" calculators that have been manufactured using recycled materials from end-of-life Canon photocopiers.
Kiwis happy with economic management but want super coontributions continued
15 May 2009
Kiwis are happy with the Government’s economic management, but don’t want it to stop contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, according to a new survey.
New direction for Electricity Commission
12 May 2009
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has released a revised policy direction for the Electricity Commission.
Seresin Estate leads the way in organics and biodynamics
12 May 2009
Seresin Estate’s commitment to the environment has been recognised in the Marlborough Environment awards.
Chauvel: We'll help National fix the mess
12 May 2009
National needs to fix the mess that it has made of climate change policy and Labour is willing to help, Labour Climate Change spokesperson Charles Chauvel says.
Jennian and Right House form partnership
12 May 2009
Jennian Homes and Right House have joined forces.
Road user charges plan penalises diesel cars
8 May 2009
The new-vehicle industry has reacted with surprise to some of the recommendations of the independent review into road-user charges.
Antarctica and the ice-age puzzle
8 May 2009
The origins of an extraordinary warming event thousands of years ago are vital to understanding past ice ages, says a prominent earth scientist.
Australia's new GHG target shows up NZ's lack of target - Greenpeace
5 May 2009
The New Zealand Government has been caught out by Australia’s proposal for stronger and faster greenhouse gas emission cuts, says Greenpeace.
NZ can lead world in renewable energy, says expert
5 May 2009
An internationally renowned energy expert believes New Zealand could generate all its electricity from renewable sources within 20 years.
Fonterra wants intensity approach to ETS
5 May 2009
Dairy production in New Zealand may be reduced by five per cent, costing the New Zealand economy $650 million annually and allowing other countries to fill the gap in global supply risking further global emissions growth, unless the existing Emissions Trading Scheme is altered, says Fonterra.
Scientists speak out over Salinger sacking
5 May 2009
The business model underlying Government's science institutions, the Crown Research Institutes or CRIs, is again under scrutiny following the dismissal of Jim Salinger, one of NIWA's principal scientists and a leading spokesperson for weather and climate issues.
Carbon Market Expo planned for Australia
1 May 2009
October 26-28, Gold Coast - Australia’s premier Trade Fair & Conference for carbon market participants & service providers, Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009 will be held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre 26-28 October 2009.
Minister concerned over Cook Strait cable failure
1 May 2009
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee is concerned over the failure of the Cook Strait power cable this week.
RMA review under attack, says Labour
1 May 2009
National’s rushed amendments to the RMA are under under further fire with a former Environment Court Judge slamming a number of the provisions as seriously deficient, says Labour MP Shane Jones.
Water pollution major problem - survey
28 Apr 2009
Kiwis believe water pollution and water-related issues are the most important environmental issues facing New Zealand, according to the just-released fifth biennial survey of Public Perceptions of New Zealand’s Environment.
MainPower appeals Mt Cass wind farm decision
28 Apr 2009
MainPower has appealed to the Environment Court over its proposed Mt Cass Wind Farm.
Waikato student off to Asia-Pacific eco forum
28 Apr 2009
Management and science isn’t the most typical mix of subjects for a university degree, but for University of Waikato student Rebecca Williamson it’s opened the way to a place at a top youth forum on sustainable development.
Fully subscribed rights issue for Pike River Coal
24 Apr 2009
Pike River Coal has announed that its $41 million rights issue which closed on April 17 has been fully subscribed, and scaling of shareholders applications for shares under the excess subscription facility has been necessary.
Key's 'road' for economic recovery should look more like a light-rail line, say Greens
24 Apr 2009
Prime Minister John Key's recent signals of fiscal prudence in the upcoming Budget are to be praised, said Green Party co-leader Dr Russel Norman.
Kyoto news no reason for complacency, says lawyer
21 Apr 2009
The announcement that New Zealand is now expected to exceed its Kyoto target by 9.6 million tonnes - worth about $240 million – does not mean the country should abandon its carbon dioxide emission abatement activities, says a leading lawyer.
Simpson Grierson presents annual environmental law prize
21 Apr 2009
Cambridge law student Jill Thompson is the recipient of Simpson Grierson's Environmental Law Prize, awarded in Auckland Friday.
Sustainable practices win industry award for hotel
21 Apr 2009
A paperless check-in is just one of the many sustainable practices already being implemented at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, now proud recipients of Qualmark’s Enviro-Silver award.
Ford increases fuel efficiency, decreases emissions
21 Apr 2009
Ford's commitment to continuous product enhancement continues to pay off, with two of the most popular Falcon sedans, the XR6 and G6E obtaining improvements in fuel economy and C02 emissions, the company says.
Progressive under pressure to act on plastic bags
21 Apr 2009
A GetReal action in Christchurch is putting pressure on Progressive to match Foodstuffs new policy of charging five cents for plastic bags, campaigners say.
Green light for environmental footprinting centre
17 Apr 2009
New Zealand's has its first professorship in the carbon footprint and environmental impact of New Zealand’s primary industries.
Waikato Univeristy to host free climate change lecture
17 Apr 2009
An Australian professor who argues climate change is a natural phenomenon will give a free public lecture at the University of Waikato on April 30.
Action needed on positive side of Kyoto ledger, say forestry contractors
17 Apr 2009
With yesterday’s update of New Zealand's volatile net emissions for Kyoto targets, positive action to increase tree-planting is absolutely essential according to the Forest Industry Contractors Association.
Two million dollars for new Kyoto forests
17 Apr 2009
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has awarded $2 million to 17 recipients to establish new forests, and is calling for further applications.
How New Zealand can learn from “Towards a Global Green recovery”
17 Apr 2009
The Council for Socially Responsible Investment endorses a recently released report prepared on behalf of the German Foreign Office for discussion at the G20 London Summit which highlights key measures in seven strategic areas that G20 members need to take to tackle the economic crisis and re-orient development towards sustainable, low-carbon growth.
Figures show why ETS should go ahead quickly
17 Apr 2009
The latest figures on New Zealand’s net position under the Kyoto Protocol shows why an emissions trading scheme is a good idea, says the Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Reality check time on emissions trading, says Federated Farmers
17 Apr 2009
This week's net position report on Kyoto Liabilities, which shows a possible surplus, represents an important reality check for New Zealand, says Federated Farmers.
More headroom for a better carbon scheme
17 Apr 2009
Business NZ says our changed position on greenhouse gas emissions gives us room to move on emissions trading.
ETS uncertainty points to serious energy problems, says Labour
14 Apr 2009
The confusion and uncertainty created by National’s climate change policy is putting New Zealand’s energy security at risk, Labour’s Energy spokesman Charles Chauvel says.
GetReal anti-plastic bag campaign hits the streets
14 Apr 2009
GetReal campaign teams say they are taking to the streets of South Island towns as part of their campaign to stop supermarkets giving away plastic bags.
TZ1 and American Carbon Registry form partnership
9 Apr 2009
American Carbon Registry, an enterprise of Winrock International and the longest serving US carbon registry, and TZ1 Environmental Registry, a financial-market-based platform for carbon and other environmental assets, have announced a strategic partnership to stimulate the market for trading US pre-compliance and global voluntary market carbon offsets.
NZ shamed at Bonn talks, says Greenpeace
9 Apr 2009
New Zealand should be ashamed of itself in front of its Pacific Island neighbours, Greenpeace said today, as UN climate talks wrap up in Bonn, Germany.
Developing countries will need US$310 billion annually for climate adaptation by 2035
Fri 31 Oct 2025
Media release - UN Environment Programme: Slow climate adaptation is threatening lives and economies.
