New Zealand: All stories
Controversy around methane review heats up
28 Nov 2024
The government’s proposal to align methane targets with ‘no additional warming’ is self-serving, unfair to developing nations, and could ultimately harm New Zealand’s reputation and free trade agreements, according to a new report.
Public transport hike 'nail in the coffin' for emissions reductions
28 Nov 2024
The government’s plan to hike public transport fares will increase traffic, air pollution, and emissions, according to critics.
Labour slams National Party’s lack of action on climate
28 Nov 2024
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has attacked the National Party’s recent performance on climate, saying National has given up on climate action.
Green’s EV fringe-benefit tax bill voted down
28 Nov 2024
Green MP Julie-Anne Genter had hoped National might consider backing her EV fringe-benefit tax bill because it was once a policy in the party’s 2020 manifesto, but those hopes were dashed.
Investment lagging in climate action – report
27 Nov 2024
A new report looks at the barriers to investment at the core of the priorities of COP29.
SolarZero in liquidation
27 Nov 2024
Innovative solar energy pioneer SolarZero has been put into liquidation.
Plastics treaty needed to avert environmental and human health disasters
27 Nov 2024
As global talks kick off aiming to finalise a treaty to combat plastic pollution, a New Zealand expert says that an ambitious and legally binding treaty is essential.
Board of inquiry appointed for waste-to-energy proposal
27 Nov 2024
The Zero Waste Network has welcomed the government's appointment of experienced resource management commissioners for the Board of Inquiry into a waste incinerator proposal in Te Awamutu.
Exports risk multi-billion dollar hit if GMO rules deregulated
26 Nov 2024
New Zealand’s primary sector exports could drop by $10 billion to $20 billion a year if the government goes ahead with plans to change genetic modification rules, according to a new report.
Crown Minerals Bill progresses
26 Nov 2024
The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill is set to pass into law in the last parliamentary session of the year beginning December 10.
We can't afford to be complacent about the effects of tropical cyclones – experts
26 Nov 2024
A symposium currently taking place in Rotorua will bring together recent research on tropical cyclone ecology, with a special focus on the ecological impacts of last year's Cyclone Gabrielle.
United Nations carbon market rules agreed but concerns remain
25 Nov 2024
New carbon market rules agreed at the fractious UN climate summit will be a relief to New Zealand and Singapore, who were leading the negotiations, but concerns about greenwashing and disadvantaging nature-based solutions remain.
Govt passes bill to keep farming emissions out of ETS
25 Nov 2024
The government quietly passed a bill to remove agricultural emissions from New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme on Friday, making no official statement announcing the law change.
Energy market settings holding back demand response
25 Nov 2024
A study of large energy users has concluded that changes to the electricity market are needed to make demand response management viable.
New govt to blame for drop in climate rankings
22 Nov 2024
New Zealand has fallen seven places to rank 41st in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index, with experts saying the country has taken significant backwards steps in climate policy since the new National-Act-NZ First coalition government came into power.
Lyttelton Port releases first nature-related disclosure
22 Nov 2024
Lyttelton Port Company has released New Zealand's first nature-related disclosure in Aotearoa New Zealand based on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures framework.
Media round-up
22 Nov 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Watts nears a landmark deal on global carbon trading; should the government count blue carbon towards climate targets? and minister Shane Jones says he won't let native animals get in the way of regional development.
Minister at fraught summit as NZ downgraded in global climate rankings
21 Nov 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts reaffirmed his commitment to New Zealand’s emission reduction targets at the global climate summit at the same time as the country was downgraded in global climate rankings.
Contact Energy to build a new geothermal plant at Wairakei
21 Nov 2024
Contact Energy has announced a significant investment in the redevelopment of its Wairakei geothermal power station.
Carbon tax best for lower emissions, economy – study
21 Nov 2024
A carbon tax is the most effective way for New Zealand to cut emissions while supporting a stable economy, according to a University of Auckland study.
Delaying agricultural emissions pricing comes with a cost
20 Nov 2024
Holding back on agricultural emissions pricing could cost New Zealand hundreds of millions more in future offshore climate mitigation.
Govt opens consultation on next international climate target
20 Nov 2024
The government has opened public consultation on its international climate change target, which needs to be set by February 2025.
Company merger to electrify marine technology
20 Nov 2024
Marine technology companies ZeroJet and Tectrax, both specialists in electric systems, are set to merge.
New carbon market rules could lock out forestry
19 Nov 2024
By Liz Kivi | New carbon market rules negotiated at the United Nations climate summit could have negative consequences for carbon forestry in New Zealand, experts are warning.
Ten-year fight to protect old dumpsite from ocean
19 Nov 2024
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter | A community advocate fears an old dumpsite next to a crumbling coastal road in Southland will be eaten away by the sea while she waits for council action.
NZ inks 'sustainable' trade deal with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Iceland
18 Nov 2024
New Zealand has signed a "ground-breaking" trade agreement with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland, that aims to use international trade to tackle climate change and sustainability challenges.
Plastic waste to double by 2050 – study
18 Nov 2024
New modelling published in Science suggests plastic waste will double by 2050 if we stick to business as usual, reaching an estimated 121 million metric tonnes.
Will govt consult the public over climate target?
15 Nov 2024
The government seems to be planning to limit public consultation around its next international climate target, which must be set by early February.
XRB delays obligations on Scope 3
15 Nov 2024
The External Reporting Board has decided to delay the obligation to report and assure scope 3 emissions - indirect emissions from an organisation's supply chain - but has retained its requirement for climate-reporting entities to publish transition plans.
Why (and how) I’m taking the two tonne challenge
15 Nov 2024
OPINION: By Emily Mabin Sutton | To meet our “fair share” of international climate targets, every person on Earth needs to emit less than 2.5 tonnes of carbon each year by 2030. But what does this look like in reality in New Zealand?
'Modernisation' must have improving conservation at its core
15 Nov 2024
Advocacy groups are calling on the government to ensure that its focus is on improving conservation and protecting biodiversity as consultation on proposals to modernise New Zealand's conservation management system opens.
Media round-up
15 Nov 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: A spotlight on COP29; United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says the world is in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius; and NZ is warned against 'blood offsets'.
Govt ring-fences $60 million to investigate new geothermal energy
14 Nov 2024
The government is putting aside $60 million to investigate new geothermal energy generation technology, which has the potential to boost renewable energy output and slash emissions.
Federated Farmers slam banks for "unfair" emissions reduction targets
14 Nov 2024
By Shannon Williams | Banks setting emissions targets for their farming customers shouldn't be a big ask, according to an expert, as Federated Farmers cries foul over banks setting tougher emissions reduction targets for farmers in New Zealand than for their Australian farming customers.
Zero chance NZ pulls out of climate agreement: Upton
13 Nov 2024
If Donald Trump pulls the United States out of the Paris Agreement, it’s not likely other countries such as New Zealand will follow, according to Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton.
NZ experts on UN climate conference
12 Nov 2024
With the United Nations’ major climate summit kicking off in oil-rich Azerbaijan, New Zealand’s climate policy experts are divided over the value of the meeting.
Major Pacific climate study launches at COP29
12 Nov 2024
Climate adaptation strategies, including relocating households and villages, are already being employed across the Pacific region, according to a new study.
Legislation to bring back oil and gas exploration advances
12 Nov 2024
The controversial bill to restart oil and gas exploration completed its second reading in Parliament last week after being reported back from select committee.
Govt accused of kicking can down the road on ag emissions
12 Nov 2024
The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill completed its second reading in Parliament with Opposition parties saying it was a step backwards.
Insurance crisis looming, new report warns
11 Nov 2024
Thousands of residential properties in New Zealand are at risk of ‘insurance retreat’ as climate-related extreme weather events escalate in frequency and intensity, warns a new report
ECan, Lincoln University enter new MoU
11 Nov 2024
Potential joint research projects through the partnership include climate change adaptation and mitigation, farm economics under changing climate, legislation and market forces, and impacts and mitigations of agriculture on the environment.
The first wave of climate statements - challenges for insurers
11 Nov 2024
New Zealand's climate-reporting entities need to make more thorough disclosures in their climate statements, according to a new report from MinterEllisonRuddWatts.
As Australia puts more focus on climate change, New Zealand is accused of pulling back
11 Nov 2024
The role reversal of sorts between the two neighbors comes as countries gather in Azerbaijan this week for the United Nations climate conference.
Govt could make significant domestic reductions towards second NDC - but needs to hurry up
8 Nov 2024
The government could find much of the needed emissions reductions for its next Paris Agreement pledge at home – but needs to get on with it, says new analysis from the Climate Change Commission.
NZ can do better on climate policy, says auditor general
8 Nov 2024
New Zealand’s legislative framework is a strength of its response to climate change, however it is not doing so well in other areas, according to a new report.
Constraints on forestry set to slash unit supply
8 Nov 2024
COMMENT: Carbon unit supply from forestry looks set to be limited by multiple factors - and by 2040 NZUs from new forestry are likely to fulfill only a fraction of demand, writes Ollie Batelier-Belton.
Media round-up
8 Nov 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Tensions flare over ETS forestry on the Chatham Islands; MPI questions the Climate Commissions native forestry targets; and extreme weather is costing vulnerable island nations billions.
Climate law falls short for future generations – expert
7 Nov 2024
International climate law falls short in addressing the needs and interests of those who will inherit the planet, according to a public international law expert.
Strategy, regular reporting key to councils’ climate response – Auditor-General
6 Nov 2024
Councils will need clear climate strategies, strong community engagement, and robust reporting to meet the challenges posed by a changing climate, according to a new report from the Auditor-General.
UN’s biodiversity conference equal parts inspiring and infuriating
6 Nov 2024
COMMENT: New Zealand’s Indigenous Peoples were underrepresented at the global biodiversity summit, writes Manu Caddie.
‘Weird and sad’ – Tuvalu Climate Minister condemns NZ halving methane target
Today 11:15am
By Liz Kivi | Dr Maina Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, says he’s surprised at New Zealand’s decision to weaken its target for reducing methane emissions – and is planning to take up the issue with his counterpart Climate Minister Simon Watts this week.
Transpower tracks more than 100 new grid projects
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Transpower’s latest connection data show more than 100 generation, storage and load projects in its pipeline, reflecting the rapid pace of electrification across the country.
SPECIAL BULLETIN: Govt weakens methane target
Sun 12 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has ignored the Climate Change Commission’s advice to strengthen methane targets and has instead weakened them significantly.
Govt releases updated emissions projections
Mon 13 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Ministry for the Environment has released updated emissions projections to 2050, which show significant differences to the Climate Change Commission's recent projections for the same period.
Air NZ inks deal for its first internationally verified carbon credits
Thu 9 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Air New Zealand has committed to buying 8000 tonnes of carbon removals by 2030, in partnership with local native forest investment platform My Native Forest.
Emails show forestry lobby fought Gisborne crackdown as slash clean-up drags on
26 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Sustainable land use advocates are accusing Eastland Wood Council of stonewalling efforts to tighten forestry rules, after correspondence between the group and the local council was released under the Official Information Act.
Climate credibility gap widening for Aussie firms
1 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Australian public companies’ climate change commitments are in retreat, reflecting difficulty in achieving stated targets and increased fossil use, but not because of any pressure to make less effort, according to a study of major companies’ ESG reporting.
