News Direct: All stories
Local ethanol production could ensure NZ farming sustainability
26 Sep 2008
New Zealand farming communities could be growing alcohol based fuels without impacting on the global food supply whilst at the same time benefitting the local environment, says American sustainable farming expert David Blume.
Water management leaking through the cracks
26 Sep 2008
A report card on the state of water infrastructure in New Zealand shows that management of one of New Zealand's most valuable assets, water, is only "adequate", at best, and that significant improvements are required to bring New Zealand's water services up to world's best practise.
National's forestry policy ignores the obvious
26 Sep 2008
National needs to tackle corporate dairy farming's role in deforestation if it wants to truly improve forestry in New Zealand, says Greenpeace.
Electricity Commission making some progress toward environmental goals, says PCE
26 Sep 2008
Dr Jan Wright, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has commended the Electricity Commission for its work on improving electricity efficiency and integrating wind generation into the grid.
Key must explain Williamson’s rail comments
26 Sep 2008
Maurice Williamson’s warning that a John Key-led government would not invest any new money in Auckland’s rail system shows National cannot be trusted to keep KiwiRail in Kiwi hands, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said.
Bill to help aquaculture development passes
26 Sep 2008
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard has welcomed the passage of the Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill, which is aimed at improving the operation and development of the aquaculture industry in New Zealand.
Online calculator gives emissions measure
23 Sep 2008
A new online guide and calculator have been launched to help businesses to measure and cut their emissions - and boost profits.
Retravision goes energy-wise
23 Sep 2008
Retravision, New Zealand’s fastest growing home appliance retail group, has made a commitment to energy efficiency by becoming the latest retail chain to sign up as an ENERGY STAR partner, the company says in a statement.
HVDC upgrade must proceed, says MEUG
23 Sep 2008
“The Major Electricity Users’ Group fully supports Transpower’s proposed upgrade of the HVDC and re-affirm our support for the Electricity Commission’s intention to approve the expected cost of up to $672m,” said Ralph Matthes, executive director of MEUG.
Holcim sets benchmark in sustainability
19 Sep 2008
For the fourth year in succession, Holcim Ltd has been named "Leader of the Industry" in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and once again acknowledged as the company with the best sustainability performance in the building materials industry.
Air New Zealand fits winglets to reduce fuel, emissions
19 Sep 2008
Air New Zealand estimates it will save more than $7.5 million in fuel and 16,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually by fitting performance-enhancing blended winglets on to its five Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.
Glaciers continue to show significant ice loss
16 Sep 2008
New Zealand’s glaciers are showing the lowest total ice mass on record and most are continuing to shrink at a rapid rate, scientists say.
New Zealand maintains world-class paperboard recycling rate
16 Sep 2008
Latest statistics released yesterday by the paper packaging sector show that New Zealand has continued to improve its paperboard recovery rate, with an impressive 78 per cent of all paperboard consumed now being collected for recycling into new products.
REACTION: Greenhouse Policy Coalition - Emissions trading scheme is flawed
12 Sep 2008
The passage of the most ambitious emissions trading scheme in the world will come at a high cost to the New Zealand economy, according to the Greenhouse Policy Coalition, representing the energy-intensive sector.
REACTION: Greens: ETS a first step, time for some big strides now
12 Sep 2008
The passing of the Emissions Trading Scheme is the first small step towards getting New Zealand’s carbon emissions under control – there is still much work to be done, the Green Party says.
REACTION: National: We will amend flawed ETS
12 Sep 2008
The rushed passage of the Emissions Trading Bill will be a hospital pass for the incoming government, says National’s climate change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Rudd’s carbon scheme leaves early movers exposed
12 Sep 2008
The Australian Federal Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) has cast considerable uncertainty over the voluntary carbon market, leaving early movers on carbon reduction exposed, according to a submission on the government’s Green Paper by international professional services company GHD.
GOVERNMENT STATEMENT: Historic climate change legislation passes
11 Sep 2008
A cornerstone economic tool will now proceed to help New Zealand reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change, Climate Change Minister David Parker says.
REACTION: Thank god that's over, now back to the climate, says Greenpeace
11 Sep 2008
Greenpeace is calling on political parties to outline their future plans for tackling climate change, now the emissions trading scheme has been passed into law.
Ministry and foundation combine to work on climate change issues
9 Sep 2008
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology are teaming up on new research into climate change for the land-based sectors.
ValueAdd model promotes 'carbon farming'
9 Sep 2008
The ValueAdd Company has just completed an Emission Trading Scheme analytical model relating to so-called “carbon farming”, one of the “business opportunities” promoted extensively by the supporters of the bill, the company says in a statement.
Transpower consults on options for the Wairakei-Whakamaru lines
9 Sep 2008
Transpower has released a shortlist of possible options to upgrade the Wairakei – Whakamaru transmission lines.
More details needed in National’s Environment Policy
9 Sep 2008
The National Party needs to give more details on what it proposes to do on climate change, the emission trading regime, the Resource Management Act and the Department of Conservation, the Environment and Conservation Organisations says.
Students plot to reduce extravagant use of electricity
9 Sep 2008
The past winter’s low lake levels and encouragement to save power had direct relevance to two of the winners in Environment Canterbury’s section of the 2008 Lincoln University Schools’ Science and Technology Fair (Canterbury-Westland).
Energy expert welcomes investment guidelines
9 Sep 2008
The release of new draft guidelines around New Zealand investment in projects under the Kyoto Project has been welcomed by an energy sector expert.
Biofuels decision upsets Nats' environment spokesman
9 Sep 2008
More harm than good will come from making biofuels compulsory, says National’s Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Minister praises train drivers for saving fuel
9 Sep 2008
Energy Minister Hon David Parker has congratulated KiwRail train drivers for the savings they have achieved relating to the company’s KiwiRail’s Fuel Saver scheme.
Intel ships new eco-friendly server processors
9 Sep 2008
Intel Corporation continues to expand its 45-nanometer (nm) manufacturing chip portfolio with the launch of its first four halogen-free Intel Xeon processors, signaling another step in Intel’s march toward minimising the environmental footprint of its products.
Crown submission on Meridian wind farm proposal
5 Sep 2008
The Crown has made a submission on Meridian Energy's wind farm proposal in the Central North Island, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said.
Cynical politics around emissions trading scheme
5 Sep 2008
Politics has triumphed over sensible policy development around emissions trading, says Business NZ.
Solar energy can bring clean energy to over 4 billion people by 2030
5 Sep 2008
Solar electricity can contribute largely to the energy needs of two-thirds of the world's population - including those in remote areas - by 2030.
Tough challenges to livestock agriculture
5 Sep 2008
The world's livestock industries will face a tough future as they come to grips with climate change.
ETS bill a good compromise - CTU
2 Sep 2008
The CTU welcomes the progress being made in Parliament on the emissions trading scheme.
First publicly-displayed credits on TZ1 registry
2 Sep 2008
TZ1 and GreenAir Ltd have announced the first carbon credits to be publicly listed on TZ1's Registry.
Contact files consent application for Waitahora wind farm
2 Sep 2008
Contact Energy yesterday filed resource consent applications with the Tararua District Council for its 177 megawatt Waitahora wind farm south-east of Dannevirke.
Call for funding for trials of alternative fertilisers on farms around lakes
2 Sep 2008
The time bomb of chemical leaching threatening Rotorua lakes and waterways can be worked through with alternative farming practices that not only maintain production but look after the environment according to fertiliser company Agrissentials.
New minerals industry organisation launched
2 Sep 2008
The resource sector is pleased to announce the formation of a new sector representative organisation, Straterra.
Maclean first in world to take up new sustainable card
2 Sep 2008
Leading IT solutions provider Maclean Computing is the first in the world to have adopted a new technology - business card technology.
OctaFuel slams AA over comments that fuel saving devices don’t work
2 Sep 2008
OctaFuel New Zealand, suppliers and installers of retrofitted hybrid fuel cells, and pioneers of retrofitted regenerative braking and heat to energy recovery modules in motorcars, believes the AA has abused its position as a trusted source of credible information by suggesting to the general public that all fuel saving devices don’t work, when the truth is they do not undertake independent testing of fuel saving devices.
PGG Wrightson moves into fuel distribution
2 Sep 2008
Clients of nationwide rural business specialist PGG Wrightson now have the opportunity to buy fuel through the company.
Pike River reports A $1.14 million loss
2 Sep 2008
Pike River Coal has reported a $1.14 million loss in the financial year ended June 30, reflecting the development phase of its new mining operation and related one-off costs, it says.
Urban development discussion document published
2 Sep 2008
A discussion document Building sustainable urban communities –Designing a place-based approach to sustainable urban development in New Zealand, has been published today.
Councils’ role in waste minimisation hindered
2 Sep 2008
“Councils’ ability to successfully carry out their role in waste minimisation has been hindered following last minute changes to the Waste Minimisation Bill,” said Local Government New Zealand spokesperson Adrienne Staples.
Criterion Furniture receives top sustainability prize
2 Sep 2008
Criterion Furniture has been awarded the top honour in the Northern Sustainable Business Network awards.
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre 30-31 October 2008
2 Sep 2008
The Australian Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator the Hon Penny Wong will address the inaugural Carbon Market Expo Australasia on the Gold Coast 29th-31st October.
Biofuels sustainability review puts forests ahead of food crops
29 Aug 2008
A scientific review of options for the production of bioenergy in New Zealand, their economic viability and sustainability, provides further weight to the argument that energy from forests is one of New Zealand's best option for producing its own biofuels.
Progressive Party supports ETS
29 Aug 2008
The Progressive Party will vote to support the Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme, leader Jim Anderton said today.
Statement from New Zealand First
27 Aug 2008
New Zealand First has decided to support the amended Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) after several months of consideration and negotiations with the Government.
REACTION: Emissions trading will hurt, says coalition
26 Aug 2008
Catherine Beard, executive director of the Greenhouse Policy Coalition says the emissions trading legislation before Parliament, due to its comprehensive coverage and lack of price safety valves, will be the highest cost scheme in the world.
The ETS can be improved, say forest owners
26 Aug 2008
The NZ Forest Owners Association is calling on the Greens and NZ First to continue to support an emissions trading scheme (ETS) that includes earlier commitments by some sectors and that restores confidence to the forest sector.
State of the Environment report: Auckland is improving in part but big challenges lie ahead
Today 10:30am
Media release: Auckland Council | Auckland’s environment is showing green shoots of recovery, yet many of our ecosystems are still in trouble.
