New Zealand: All stories
Scientists' revolutionary plan can save the rainforest
18 Oct 2016
Brazilian scientists, alarmed at the ongoing destruction of the Amazon rainforest, have proposed a radical plan to save it.
Biofuels turn out to be a climate mistake – here’s why
18 Oct 2016
Ever since the 1973 oil embargo, US energy policy has sought to replace petroleum-based transportation fuels with alternatives. One prominent option is using biofuels, such as ethanol in place of gasoline and biodiesel instead of ordinary diesel.
Fracking pumps up public’s climate fears
18 Oct 2016
Public opposition to pumping water and chemicals into the ground to extract gas from shale − the technique known as fracking − is growing even in the countries whose governments are most in favour.
BLOOM GLOOM: Climate causing plankton problem
18 Oct 2016
Large white plankton blooms growing east of New Zealand are further evident that the ocean is being affected by climate change, scientists say.
Big business gives big yes to vehicle fleets going electric
17 Oct 2016
Some of New Zealand’s largest businesses are pledging to convert their vehicle fleets to electricity, collectively avoiding more than 3000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year within three years.
Nations sign 'monumental' deal on coolants
17 Oct 2016
A global deal to limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons in the battle to combat climate change has been hailed as a “monumental step forward”.
... but it will make little difference in the West
17 Oct 2016
They went to Kigali to eliminate hydrofluorocarbons and take 0.5deg out of future global warming, and the 170 countries who successfully negotiated an amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed to get rid of 90 per cent of them. Job done. Not bad for four days and three long nights’ work.
Monoculture the enemy of our rainforests
17 Oct 2016
SMALL-SCALE monocultural farming threatens rainforests, new research has found.
Do we need an independent climate body?
14 Oct 2016
Should New Zealand follow the UK model of an independent, statutory climate committee?
We were talking about climate change and coal over a century ago
14 Oct 2016
New Zealanders were warned about the climate-changing impacts of burning coal at least 104 years ago. This item was published on page 7 in the Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette on August 14, 1912.
Electric cars set to pass two million mark
14 Oct 2016
The number of plug-in electric cars on the world’s roads is set to pass the landmark of 2m vehicles by the end of this year, with industry observers saying the electric car revolution is finally under way.
Global wind capacity will hit 500GW by year end
14 Oct 2016
Global wind capacity is set to hit 500GW by the end of 2016, accounting for around 5 per cent of global power demand, according to new data.
US energy emissions fall to lowest in 25 years
14 Oct 2016
The US has recorded its lowest energy-related CO2 emissions for the first six months of any year since 1991.
Seaweed could cut methane emissions from cows
14 Oct 2016
When Canadian farmer Joe Dorgan noticed about 11 years ago that cattle in a paddock by the sea were more productive than his other cows, he didn't just rediscover an Ancient Greek and Icelandic practice.
Pressure builds for action to curb agricultural emissions
13 Oct 2016
Momentum is building over the prospect of New Zealand splitting agricultural gases out of the Emissions Trading Scheme - including a separate tax on the use of fertiliser.
Investors tell car industry to get a move on
13 Oct 2016
Major investors have warned the automotive industry it needs to accelerate its readiness for a low-carbon world if it is to retain their support and prosper.
Stargazing can give us keys to the world of climate change
13 Oct 2016
Looking deep into outer space begs an obvious question. Are we alone? It is a question that has preoccupied mankind ever since we became capable of rational thought.
Minister hints at setting minimum carbon price
12 Oct 2016
New Zealand could impose a minimum price on carbon.
Investing in renewable energy falls to new low point
12 Oct 2016
Global investment in clean energy fell to the lowest in more than three years as demand for new renewable energy sources slumped in China, Japan and Europe.
BP ditches plans to drill for oil in Bight
12 Oct 2016
BP has decided not to go ahead with its controversial plans to drill for oil in the commonwealth marine reserve in the Great Australian Bight.
Germany wants to see end of gas and diesel cars by 2030
12 Oct 2016
Germany’s Bundesrat has approved a resolution that calls for a ban on new internal combustion engines by 2030.
Fossil fuel industry must halt expansion
12 Oct 2016
Governments need to call an immediate halt to new coal, oil and gas projects if the world is to meet its climate change targets, a new report concludes.
Europe eyes e-car plug in every new home
12 Oct 2016
Every new or refurbished house in Europe will need to be equipped with an electric vehicle recharging point, under a draft EU directive expected to come into effect by 2019.
Bennett in no rush to surrender extra credits
11 Oct 2016
The Government will not surrender extra carbon credits to cover the environmentally worthless credits New Zealand used to meet its first emissions reduction target – at least not yet.
Global demand for energy will peak in 2030, says world body
11 Oct 2016
Global demand for energy per capita will peak in 2030 thanks to new technology and stricter government policies, the World Energy Council has predicted.
Agroforestry can help the planet (and profits)
11 Oct 2016
Feeding the world’s growing population in a rapidly warming world will not be possible with modern intensive agriculture that relies on cutting down more forests to plant crops, according to new research.
Energy leaders want stability for renewables
11 Oct 2016
Stable tariffs and policy support are needed to boost the growth of the renewable energy sector, say industry leaders at the 23rd World Energy Congress.
Delaying action on ship emissions would kill many
11 Oct 2016
A push by the shipping and oil industries for a five-year delay to curbs on toxic sulphur emissions would cause an extra 200,000 premature deaths from lung cancer and heart disease, says a new report.
Govt knew use of hot-air credits would draw fire
10 Oct 2016
The Government was warned last year that New Zealand could face criticism for using hot-air credits to meet its 2020 emissions reduction target, documents show.
We're not doing enough, warn global energy leaders
10 Oct 2016
Current market signals are not strong enough to drive the decarbonisation the world needs to avoid dangerous levels of climate change, say energy leaders meeting in Istanbul.
10 things you should know about climate change
10 Oct 2016
No 10. New Zealand must adapt because some impacts of climate change – especially sea-level rise and flooding - are already unavoidable.
It's our age, but we've lost control of the planet
10 Oct 2016
It’s becoming increasingly commonplace to suggest that humans now dominate the planet.
Trustpower hits pause on Aust renewables spin-off
10 Oct 2016
Trustpower has put the brakes on its plans to spin-off its wind energy assets into an Australia-based renewables-only entity, while it reviews the timing and business case of the move in light of the recent electricity system failure in South Australia.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
10 Oct 2016
A futuristic electric urban car has met its half-million-euros funding target in less than two days.
Global aviation emissions deal gets wings
7 Oct 2016
A global carbon market for aviation that could see New Zealand offsetting three million tonnes of emissions a year is going ahead.
10 things you should know about climate change
7 Oct 2016
No 9. New Zealanders are in the world’s top 10 emitters of greenhouse gases.
Americans buy more EVs than ever before
7 Oct 2016
US plug-in vehicle sales reached a quarterly record for the three-month period that ended September 30.
Businesses plead for more ETS information
6 Oct 2016
The Government should be providing more information on the workings of the Emissions Trading Scheme – including carbon price forecasts and trading data, say participants in the scheme.
Fossil fuel emissions much higher than thought
6 Oct 2016
Emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas from coal, oil and gas are up to 60% greater than previously estimated, meaning current climate prediction models should be revised, research shows.
10 things you should know about climate change
6 Oct 2016
No 8: The Paris Agreement target is pretty hard to meet.
Pacific garbage patch far bigger than imagined
6 Oct 2016
The vast patch of garbage floating in the Pacific Ocean is far worse than previously thought, with an aerial survey finding a much larger mass of fishing nets, plastic containers and other discarded items than imagined.
Brazil shifts funds from coal to solar power
6 Oct 2016
Brazil’s mighty National Development Bank is boosting solar funds while cutting credit for fossil fuels and large hydro.
Trendy foods should come with a recipe for sustainability
6 Oct 2016
The soft creamy flesh of a ripe avocado makes an attractive and healthy addition to many of our shopping baskets.
World's largest carbon-capture plant opening soon
6 Oct 2016
It’s a tall order for any new technology, but for a commercial carbon capture and storage system, it might be the start of a revolution.
Fossil fuel investors seek risks disclosure
5 Oct 2016
On one side are the big oil and gas companies. On the other is an increasingly vocal group of investors – both big and small – who are worried about the declining value of billions of dollars’ worth of shares they hold in these mighty conglomerates.
Global energy graphs that might surprise you ...
5 Oct 2016
Love data? Care about the energy transition? Here's the story in a nutshell ...
Six billion plastic bags saved since 5p charge
5 Oct 2016
Just six months after the introduction of the 5p plastic bag charge in England, the amount of plastic bags handed out by supermarkets has decreased by more than 85 per cent.
Freight operators can make huge savings, says expert
4 Oct 2016
Planning and co-operation could see the freight sector cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent, says an international expert.
PM's adviser has swing at climate policymakers
4 Oct 2016
The Prime Minister’s science adviser has taken a swipe at policymakers’ reluctance to take action in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence on issues like climate change and obesity.
Local govt shake-up risks weakened environmental outcomes – Commissioner
Fri 27 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government’s push to simplify local government is "deeply flawed" and has been launched without a clear understanding of which functions must remain regional, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Govt plan to encourage new energy investment won’t cut costs for ordinary Kiwis
Thu 26 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | While gentailers and major energy users have welcomed the Government’s plan to leverage public sector demand to drive new energy projects, an expert says it is unlikely to reduce prices for ordinary people.
Govt's solar on farms initiative to cut costs, boost resilience
17 Feb 2026
Farms across Aotearoa will begin installing solar panels and battery systems as part of a government-backed demonstration programme designed to test whether on-farm renewable energy can reduce electricity costs and improve energy security for the food and fibre sector.
Annual emissions fell to lowest in 15 years in Sept 2025
5 Feb 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest annual total in the year to September 2025 since records began 2010, according to Statistics New Zealand data published this morning.
Air NZ joins Marsden Point SAF project
Tue 3 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Air New Zealand has quietly added its name to a consortium exploring the viability of green hydrogen production for sustainable aviation fuel at Channel Infrastructure’s Marsden Point energy hub.
Tairāwhiti needs proper Govt support to heal the land – not empty announcements for political optics
24 Feb 2026
OPINION: The Government’s answer to Tairāwhiti’s severe erosion crisis – that the region apply for modest, contestable funding rounds – while rejecting the region's own land transition business case, leaves our long-term resilience hanging in the balance, writes Manu Caddie.
Kiwi startup takes on global plastic pollution
12 Feb 2026
A New Zealand startup is launching what it says is the world’s first plastic-free effervescent drink tablet, with the ambitious aim of eliminating bottled beverages to reduce global plastic pollution.
