News Direct: Media releases
Record jump in energy and carbon savings from NZ efficient product sales
2 Dec 2021
Media Release - The increasing energy efficiency of appliances sold in New Zealand has saved $38 million over one year and reduced carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 19,600 cars off the road1, according to EECA.
Our seas are sizzling again: Niwa
1 Dec 2021
Media Release - Coastal sea temperatures around Aotearoa New Zealand have risen well above average, NIWA forecasters say.
Hamilton's emissions up
1 Dec 2021
Media Release - A Hamilton City Council report has revealed that operational emissions have risen compared to 2020 - a year that saw Covid-19 lockdowns cause a big drop in emissions.
New Zealand's first hydrogen truck unveiled
30 Nov 2021
Media Release - New Zealand’s first hydrogen-electric truck, Hyundai’s XCIENT FCEV, was unveiled last Friday in Mount Wellington by the Transport Minister, Hon Michael Wood.
Tourism industry challenge to cut carbon
30 Nov 2021
Media Release - Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism industry is being challenged to lead the fight to reduce carbon emissions, with a major new initiative announced at Tourism Summit Aotearoa yesterday.
NZ Super Fund ranked among the world’s most responsible asset allocators
30 Nov 2021
Media Release - The NZ Super Fund has once again been named a world leader in a ranking of the responsible investing practices adopted by the world’s top sovereign wealth funds and government pension funds.
Emissions Reduction Plan falls well short: Wise Response Society
29 Nov 2021
The overall emissions budget proposed by the Ministry for the Environment is not nearly ambitious enough,’ says Chair of the Wise Response Society, Prof. Liz Slooten. ‘The IPCC requirement to keep global warming to 1.5C by 2030 means a median reduction of 45%. New Zealand should have an emissions reduction budget of 60%.’
Fish & Game supports calls for forestry re-focus
26 Nov 2021
Media Release - Fish & Game NZ is supporting calls for an urgent rethink on the rapid proliferation of exotic forests currently being supported by central government, and instead refocus on native plantings for better long-term environmental and social outcomes.
Timaru’s on-demand public transport hits 200,000 ride milestone
26 Nov 2021
Media Release - Timaru’s on-demand public transport hits 200,000 ride milestone Innovation has paid off in Timaru as the city’s new on-demand public transport service goes from strength to strength.
Auckland's living bus shelters coming to life
25 Nov 2021
Two of Auckland’s bus shelters have come to life with more than 1000 plants adorning their walls and roofs.
Climate change awareness not matched by action
23 Nov 2021
Media Release - We know we must do better by the planet, but when will we start? As Aotearoa’s awareness of climate change and its impact increases, Stuff’s latest NowNext survey asked Kiwis how that knowledge is influencing decisions in their everyday lives. The findings shine a light on how important sustainability really is to Kiwis
Global fisheries even worse than thought
22 Nov 2021
Media Release - The decline in fish populations is far worse than previously estimated, according to Minderoo Foundation’s Global Fishing Index (GFI) - the largest independent assessment of global fish stocks to date
International unions call for jobs to be at centre of a just transition
19 Nov 2021
Media Release - The COP26 climate agreement acknowledged the science, recognised the gaps to realise the 1.5C target and embedded the call for Just Transition but the compromises made in Glasgow fall short on ambition, finance, responsibility and inclusion.
New Zealand’s first carbon zero hospital unveiled
18 Nov 2021
Forté Hospital in Christchurch has been named New Zealand’s first Toitû carbonzero certified hospital.
Signature Homes tackles carbon emissions from home construction
18 Nov 2021
Media Release - Signature Homes has signalled its intention to mitigate its house construction carbon dioxide emissions by planting around 45,000 native trees annually
It’s up to citizens and markets to kiss fossil fuels goodbye: Barry Coates
18 Nov 2021
Media Release - Governments made some progress during COP26, but not enough. Now the mantle passes to citizens and markets to decarbonise our economy, says Mindful Money's CEO Barry Coates.
Activists condemn Covid fast tracking of motorways
17 Nov 2021
Media Release - The Covid fast track consenting panel, set up by the Ardern Government under the Covid 19 Fast-Track Consenting Act, has approved the expansion of State Highway 1, which will see a third lane added in each direction between Papakura and Drury.
COP26 ends with a strong result on carbon markets: EDF
15 Nov 2021
After six years of difficult and technical negotiations, the UN climate talks at COP26 in Glasgow finally gave us a strong Paris Agreement rulebook for international cooperation through carbon markets and called on countries to take specific and urgent measures to address dangerous climate change.
Half-baked carbon market rules fail to take heat off the climate: Carbon Market Watch
15 Nov 2021
After over five years of dithering and two weeks of intensive negotiations, the world’s governments settled on slimmed-down ground rules for carbon markets under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.
New Zealand’s first zero emissions truck trial
12 Nov 2021
Media Release - Auckland Transport (AT) welcomes New Zealand’s first trial of 100 per cent electric trucks.
Lincoln University scientists launch eco-pond
12 Nov 2021
Media Release - Renowned Lincoln University scientists, Emeritus Professor Keith Cameron and Professor Hong Di, have delivered another breakthrough technology with an immediate benefit for the dairy farming sector to combat global climate change.
Declaration reacts to biomass industry "greenwashing drive"
11 Nov 2021
Media Release - Environmental organisations are pledging their opposition to burning forest biomass for renewable energy in a declaration issued at the Glasgow climate conference (COP26).
Urgent Couriers replaces Auckland car fleet with electric cargo bikes
11 Nov 2021
Media Release - Certified carbon zero courier company Urgent Couriers will take 40 to 50 tonnes of carbon emissions a year out of inner-city Auckland by replacing its city fleet of cars with electric cargo bikes.
Drilling into Antarctica’s past to see our future
10 Nov 2021
Media Release - While COP26 today focuses on science and innovation’s role in combating climate change, Antarctic researchers are preparing to drill into the ocean floor below the Ross Ice Shelf to discover if cutting greenhouse gas emissions avoids catastrophic melt of the icy continent.
New FAO analysis reveals carbon footprint of agri-food supply chain
10 Nov 2021
Food processing, packaging, transport, household consumption and waste disposal are pushing the food supply chain to the top of the greenhouse gas emitters list, according to a new study led by the UN agriculture agency.
Australasia’s biggest ever electric bus order
9 Nov 2021
Media Release - AUSTRALAISA'S biggest electric bus order has been announced, in a partnership between Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Bus.
Electric revolution for Christchurch’s Orbiter fleet
9 Nov 2021
Media Release - The popular Orbiter bus route has, from this week, seven new electric vehicles joining its ranks, as Christchurch’s fleet of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles grows.
The Warehouse and Westpac NZ Sign $70m sustainability-linked loan
9 Nov 2021
Media Release - The Warehouse Group will have to meet five sustainability performance goals including sustainable packaging, carbon emissions and gender targets to receive discounted rates, under a trailblazing Sustainability-Linked Loan agreed with Westpac NZ.
Advocating household climate actions reduces support for more effective policy
8 Nov 2021
Media Release - Telling people how to save energy lowers their support for government policy on climate change, new research has found.
Over 560 groups worldwide endorse ‘People’s Declaration’ for radical food systems
8 Nov 2021
Media Release - Amid the ongoing COP 26 in Glasgow, the Global People’s Summit (GPS) on Food Systems announced that 566 groups from 78 countries have endorsed its resulting Declaration that calls for people’s rights to just, equitable, healthy, and sustainable food systems and the end of corporate monopoly control.
Australia’s climate obstruction in the Pacific revealed: Greenpeace
5 Nov 2021
The Australian government uses bullying tactics in regional negotiations on climate change, according to former Pacific Island leaders interviewed by Greenpeace Australia Pacific, including former Kiribati President Anote Tong and Bikenibeu Paeniu, Former Prime Minister of Tuvalu.
UN secretary-general issues new global roadmap
4 Nov 2021
Media Release - As pressure mounts for urgent climate action, UN Secretary-General António Guterres today issued a global roadmap to achieve a radical transformation of energy access and transition by 2030, while also contributing to net zero emissions by 2050.
University of Canterbury researches decarbonising Antarctic science
3 Nov 2021
Media Release - A UC research project evaluating the feasibility of hydrogen production in Antarctica could help to reduce carbon emissions in the future by replacing fossil fuels with a zero-carbon alternative.
Climate-friendly Let's Get Wellington Moving options revealed
2 Nov 2021
Media Release - Let’s Get Wellington Moving has officially unveiled four options to help transform the Capital, focused on mass rapid transit, improvements at the Basin Reserve and an extra Mt Victoria Tunnel as part of a multi-billion dollar plan to move more people with fewer vehicles, enable more housing, and help reduce carbon emissions.
Aotearoa joins International Climate Council Network
2 Nov 2021
He Pou a Rangi, New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission has joined forces with a group of international evidence-based climate advisors in an effort to deliver on global climate action.
New Zealand public housing pilot to feature at COP26
29 Oct 2021
Media Release - An innovative new Kâinga Ora public housing pilot tackling climate change in the built environment will feature on the world stage at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26).
Wellington joins global race for climate action
28 Oct 2021
Media Release - Wellington has been welcomed into the global Cities Race to Zero initiative, joining cities around the world in a collective pledge to halve carbon emissions by 2030 – and become a net zero carbon capital by 2050.
UN praises updated NDCs but still"nowhere near goal"
27 Oct 2021
Media release - New or updated climate action plans by governments can be effective in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but greater efforts are needed to keep global warming at bay, the UN climate change office says.
'Landmark Decision’ gives legal teeth to protect environmental defenders
26 Oct 2021
Media Release - A 46-strong group of countries across the wider European region has agreed to establish a new legally binding mechanism that would protect environmental defenders, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) says.
NZ dairy industry linked to illegal Indonesian palm oil plantations: Greenpeace
22 Oct 2021
Media Release - A new report released today by Greenpeace Indonesia, " Deceased Estate: Illegal palm oil wiping out Indonesia’s national forest", reveals that illegal palm oil plantations are destroying protected Indonesian rainforests and other habitats, and New Zealand’s industrial dairy sector is a major beneficiary.
Victoria University Prof joins Bill Gate's Breakthrough Energy Fellows
20 Oct 2021
Media Release - Dr Franck Natali, Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and Wellington UniVentures’ Innovator-in-Residence, has been accepted on to the inaugural Breakthrough Energy Fellows Program to develop his work into revolutionising the way ammonia is produced.
Climate aid boost the wrong move at the wrong time: National
19 Oct 2021
Media Release - The Government’s decision to commit $1.3 billion over four years to support poorer countries to deal with climate change is the wrong one, given New Zealand is still struggling with lockdowns which have no end in sight, National’s Climate Change Spokesperson Stuart Smith says.
Climate aid boost a fantastic outcome: Oxfam
19 Oct 2021
Media Release - Today's announcement is a fantastic outcome for communities on the frontlines of climate change, Oxfam Aotearoa Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said in response to the $1.3 billion the Government has promised in climate finance over the next four years.
Sustainable transport key to combating climate change: UN
15 Oct 2021
Media Release - From electric cars and buses to zero-carbon producing energy sources, new and emerging technologies along with innovative policy changes, are critical for combating climate change. But to be effective, they must ensure that transport strategies benefit everyone, including the poorest, a multi-agency UN report says.
Contract awarded to power NZ Battery investigation
14 Oct 2021
A consortium of specialist firms has been awarded a major contract to advance the New Zealand Battery Project’s feasibility investigation into a pumped hydro storage scheme at Lake Onslow, the Minister of Energy and Resources Megan Woods has announced.
Cash injection For ‘pine to natives’ forest conversion project
14 Oct 2021
The country’s largest ‘pine to natives’ forest conversion project has been given a $15,000 cash injection by a leading producer of radiata pine products.
Trade can play pivotal role in tackling climate change: UN
13 Oct 2021
A new United Nations report has underscored an urgent need for economies in the Asia-Pacific region to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including to maintain their trade competitiveness as carbon taxes at borders become more likely.
States can be held accountable for climate change effects on the young: UN Child Rights Committee
12 Oct 2021
Media Release - In a historic ruling on the harmful effects of climate change on children’s rights, the Child Rights Committee has found that a State party can be held responsible for the negative impact of its carbon emissions on the rights of children both within and outside its territory.
45,000,000 doctors call for urgent action on climate change
12 Oct 2021
Media Release - Ambitious national climate commitments are crucial for States to sustain a healthy, green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new UN health agency report launched on Monday in the lead-up to the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
'Atrocious' and 'bizarre': experts slam Act Party's climate policy
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Act Party is promising to challenge New Zealand’s Paris Agreement climate target, while the coalition Government’s other minor partner, NZ First, also says it wants to reevaluate the country’s commitment to the international treaty.
Meridian reports worst earnings in a decade
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Meridian Energy has posted its weakest result in 10 years, with earnings hit by a combination of droughts, low wind and declining gas supply.
International scientists slam NZ govt's proposed approach to methane
13 Aug 2025
New Zealand's proposed approach to methane emissions has again been attacked by international climate scientists, with a new study saying the attempt to redefine climate target-setting by livestock-exporting countries undermines the transition to a sustainable and equitable food system
Marginal drop in last year's regional emissions
27 Aug 2025
Regional greenhouse gas emissions were down slightly last year, with a fall in gas supply leading to a big drop in Taranaki, but more coal burnt leading to higher emissions in Waikato, according to new figures from Stats NZ
Air NZ declares surprisingly low SAF prices
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Air New Zealand is able to source sustainable aviation fuel at between 1.5 and 2.5 times the price of conventional fossil fuels used for flying, all sourced from the US.
Certainty crucial to emissions cuts – Watts
20 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that policy certainty is the Government’s primary lever for unlocking private capital and meeting climate targets, telling a carbon forestry conference that ETS settings are 'locked' through 2030.
Climate-friendly investment still lagging in NZ
Tue 2 Sep 2025
While local financial firms have made recent strides in climate governance and emissions reporting, New Zealand’s institutional investors are still missing in action when it comes to backing clean technologies and climate solutions, according to a new report.
