News Direct: All stories
Electricity from coal seam gas now on the national grid
25 Nov 2008
New Zealand has a new source of electricity following the connection to the national grid of a 1MW generator driven by coal seam gas from Solid Energy’s pilot field near Huntly in the Waikato.
Barycentric Orbits influence climate, says Sprott
25 Nov 2008
The newly appointed Minister for Climate Change, who strongly espouses the conventional IPCC view and also emissions trading, will be placed in a very invidious position long before the conclusion of this new Parliamentary term, says Dr Jim Sprott, a consulting chemist and forensic scientist of Auckland.
Appliance chain becomes Energy Star retailer
25 Nov 2008
The appliance chain 100% has signed up as New Zealand’s latest Energy Star retailer.
DECEMBER 8-9: Bioenergy Australia conference
21 Nov 2008
The prospect of bioenergy becoming a major renewable energy source for transport fuels, heat and power will be up for discussion at Bioenergy Australia 2008, the bioenergy conference to be held in Melbourne next month.
National already breaking promises on climate change, says Labour
21 Nov 2008
National leader John Key's U-turn on the Emissions Trading Scheme is his first broken promise, says the outgoing Minister for Climate Change Issues, David Parker.
Oil industry welcomes prospect of a carbon charge
21 Nov 2008
Government indications that select committee consideration of a carbon charge as an alternative to the Emissions Trading Scheme is strongly welcomed by the petroleum exploration and production industry, according to PEPANZ Executive Officer John Pfahlert.
Solid Energy and New Zealand Steel sign coal supply contract
21 Nov 2008
Solid Energy and New Zealand Steel have signed a new agreement for the supply of coal to the steelworks at Glenbrook, near Auckland.
New work on climate change and ice sheets
21 Nov 2008
Part of a $1 million donation last year to Victoria’s Antarctic Research Centre from alumnus Alan Eggers will help scientists better understand the relationship between glaciers and climate change.
Business council not surprised by ETS review
21 Nov 2008
Business leaders not surprised by emissions trading review, but concerned about suspending the act, says the Business Council for Sustainable Development.
NZ - friend or foe of US?
21 Nov 2008
New Zealanders should be seriously alarmed at the prospect of the National-led government damaging the country’s relationship with the United States over its stance on climate change, says Greenpeace.
Review of climate change law applauded
18 Nov 2008
Business welcomes the National government’s rapid move to reviewing the emissions trading scheme as they promised, the Employers and Manufacturers’ Association (Northern) says.
National reneges on climate change commitments
18 Nov 2008
The Environmental Defence Society has expressed “profound dismay and disappointment” at National’s confidence and supply agreement with ACT.
Greenpeace questions ‘missing’ portfolio
18 Nov 2008
The National Party’s press release detailing Cabinet posts makes no mention of the environment and climate change portfolios, nor the MP who’s rumoured to be heading them.
Fundamental change towards government spending
18 Nov 2008
Decisions made by the incoming Government signal a fundamental change in attitude to government spending, says Business NZ.
Biofuels groups announce merger
18 Nov 2008
The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) announced officially the consolidation of the efforts of the New Zealand Biofuel Manufacturers Association (NZBMA) with the BANZ Liquid Fuels Interest Group under the banner of BANZ.
National/Act agreement economic self-sabotage, says Greenpeace
18 Nov 2008
Greenpeace is warning that National and ACT's agreement on confidence and supply shows both parties could risk a trade backlash by lowering New Zealand's environmental standards and procrastinating over climate change.
EDS welcomes appointment of Nick Smith to cabinet
18 Nov 2008
The Environmental Defence Society has welcomed the appointment of Nick Smith to the new National cabinet as Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.
Climate Science Coalition welcomes National/Act agreement
18 Nov 2008
The New Zealand Climate Science Coalition has welcomed the agreement between the National and Act parties to appoint a special select committee of Parliament to review the current emissions trading scheme legislation and any amendments or alternatives to it, including carbon taxes, in the light of current economic circumstances and steps now being undertaken by similar nations.
TrustPower receives Arnold hydro resource consent
14 Nov 2008
TrustPower has been granted resource consents for its proposed 46MW Arnold hydro generation scheme by the Grey District and West Coast Regional Councils.
Business leaders look forward to working with National on major economic and environmental issues
14 Nov 2008
The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development has congratulated National on its election win – and says it looks forward to working with it on major economic and environmental issues.
Farmers upset over permit-to-farm decision
14 Nov 2008
Farmers say they are "completely gutted" by an Environment Court decision that will require Taupo farmers to seek a permit to farm.
New coastal ship to slash carbon emissions
14 Nov 2008
Pacifica Shipping's new 130-metre long coastal vessel now in service is capable of slashing carbon emissions in the country's transport sector by 60,000 tonnes a year on long-haul freight, the company says.
Ministerial-model BMW to foot it with hybrids
14 Nov 2008
The BMW 730Ld - the luxury limousine used by the Government for chauffeur-driven VIP Transport Services - will compete alongside hybrid hatchbacks and micro-diesels in this year's AA EnergyWise Rally.
Building up gas for good
11 Nov 2008
Five engineers have joined forces to harness the energy from biogas to use in remote island situations in the South Pacific.
Climate change: Nowhere to Hide, says Greenpeace
11 Nov 2008
Greenpeace is urging the newly elected National Party not to be held hostage to Act’s Rodney Hide over climate change policy.
Parker jobs claim wrong, says coalition
7 Nov 2008
Climate Change Minister David Parker’s claims that the current emissions trading scheme will not only be good for the environment, but will increase jobs during the predicted slump, are completely at odds with the views of our leading economists, says the Greenhouse Policy Coalition.
Federated Farmers too weak to stand up to National on ETS
7 Nov 2008
"When I attended Federated Farmers’ election manifesto launch in Wellington a few days ago, I was disappointed to find that Federated Farmers was wishy-washy on the ETS", said ACT for agriculture spokesman John Ormond.
Green Party in climate-change denial, say Federated Farmers
7 Nov 2008
“The Green Party just does not get the reality of global climate change,” Federated Farmers climate change spokesperson, Frank Brenmuhl said today.
Mr Key, don't forget water storage is infrastructure, too
7 Nov 2008
Federated Farmers' president Don Nicolson is urging National Party leader John Key not to forget that water storage is a critical part of New Zealand's infrastructure and should be "on the infrastructure list" of any new minister.
Science, agriculture and New Zealand's future - Anderton
4 Nov 2008
Federated Farmers is to be congratulated for its contribution to the debate about the economy's future direction, Agriculture Minister and Progressive Leader Jim Anderton said today.
Global recession reaches carbon market
4 Nov 2008
The global economic recession will have a significant effect on the European carbon market, nearly halving the shortfall in EU Allowances (EUAs), according to a new projection in the latest weekly report from IDEAcarbon, a leading carbon market analysis and research firm.
Labour and National fail environmental test, say green groups
4 Nov 2008
New Zealand’s two biggest political parties have failed the environment test, put to them by two major New Zealand environmental groups.
Anderton challenges Act on its centre-piece policy
4 Nov 2008
The policy at the centre of the Act Party's election campaign is completely implausible, and Act need to be pressed on the implications, Progressive leader Jim Anderton says.
Green forum on the global financial crisis
4 Nov 2008
Green solutions to the current global financial crisis will be discussed by Green Party leaders from Australia and New Zealand, and an economic panel, in central Auckland tomorrow.
New areas for international environmental co-operation
4 Nov 2008
These new goals were agreed in October at the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Environment Cooperation Agreement of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4 Agreement) in Santiago.
Genesis considers bond issue
4 Nov 2008
Genesis Energy says that it is considering an offer of bonds to the New Zealand public.
TrustPower opens Australian wind farm
4 Nov 2008
New Zealand-based TrustPower officially openied of Stage 1 of its first Australian wind farm, located at Snowtown 170km north of Adelaide, at the weekend.
Economies continue to grow with emissions trading, says Parker
31 Oct 2008
A report released yesterday by the Australian government has confirmed that a country's economy will continue to grow with an emissions trading scheme, and it's cheaper to act sooner rather than later, Climate Change Minister David Parker said.
PaintPlus first small enterprise in NZ to be carbon neutral
28 Oct 2008
Paint manufacturer PaintPlus has become the first small enterprise in New Zealand to be carbon neutral, achieving government body LandCare Research’s CarboNZero certification.
New electricity information website launched
28 Oct 2008
Transpower subsidiary Energy Market Services has launched a new electricity site (www.em6live.co.nz (http://www.em6live.co.nz/)) that allows greater accessibility to NZ electricity market data.
Hermitage Hotel takes gold for environmental work
28 Oct 2008
One of the first to achieve Qualmark’s prestigious new Enviro-Gold rating, The Hermitage General Manager Denis Callesen says it’s a natural fit with the hotel’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Anne Blackburn appointed to NZVIF Board
28 Oct 2008
Auckland businessperson Anne Blackburn has been appointed to the board of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund.
The United Group branches out into carbon
24 Oct 2008
The Fortis Intertrust’s carbon team has moved to the Amsterdam-based United Group, and has launched a carbon financial services business.
Carbon rating agency appoints CEO in Singapore
24 Oct 2008
IDEAcarbon, the strategic advice and information-provider for the carbon market, hasannounced the appointment of Dinesh Babu as CEO of The Carbon Rating Agency (CRA), IDEAcarbon's wholly-owned subsidiary.
New homes targeted in light-bulb push
24 Oct 2008
National Party energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says not only is Labour spending $3.5 million promoting the looming light-bulb ban, but also plans to tell us how many lights we should have.
Tsakounis Global to investigate JI coal methane projects in Australia.
22 Oct 2008
Following the recent passing of the New Zealand Emissions Trading legislation, Environmental Intermediaries & Trading Group Limited has appointed Tsakounis Global to investigate Joint Implementation Projects for Coal Mine Methane in Australia.
Labour commits to R&D tax credits and Fast Forward
22 Oct 2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Research Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson today confirmed Labour’s commitment to significant investment in innovation saying it would produce a step change in New Zealand’s economy.
National’s approach to energy efficiency 'costed and workable'
17 Oct 2008
"National is not committed to the Labour/Greens household insulation policy because it is unfunded and impractical, and we have a better approach", says National’s Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Common low-grade clay strengthens low-carbon concrete
Thu 5 Jun 2025
Media release | Engineers at RMIT University have converted low-grade clay into a high-performance cement supplement, opening a potential new market in sustainable construction materials.
