New Zealand: All stories
Depending on how you do the sums, we could be carbon neutral right now
5 Apr 2016
Restoration ecologist and carbon sequestration expert Dr NEIL MITCHELL expands on his claim that New Zealand should be using native forests to offset greenhouse gas emissions
GM crops can thrive as climate warms
5 Apr 2016
Plants genetically modified to take advantage of hotter temperatures and increased carbon dioxide could cut fertiliser use and raise yields to alleviate global food shortages.
Businesses don't get it, says Bloomberg group
4 Apr 2016
Disclosure of the risks companies face from climate change is fragmented and incomplete, the G20’s Taskforce on Climate-Related Disclosure says in its first report.
SEA-LEVEL WARNING: The Government won't listen
4 Apr 2016
New research suggesting that sea-level rise could be faster and more extreme than currently expected means that a task force to analyse the risk for New Zealand makes even more sense. So why isn’t the Government doing it?
Mighty River snaps up latest from Tesla
4 Apr 2016
Mighty River Power is adding the new Tesla Model 3 to its fleet of electric vehicles.
Antarctic melt could be alarming, say scientists
4 Apr 2016
Scientists in the US predict that the alarming rate at which Antarctica’s ice continues to thaw could be enough to double global sea level rise within this century.
Scientists crack secrets of wood-based glass
4 Apr 2016
Swedish researchers have developed a transparent wood-based material that could be used in future to make biodegradable windows and photovoltaic panels.
WHAT A WASTE! Native forests key to cutting carbon
1 Apr 2016
New Zealand is paying a high cost in carbon for neglecting its native forests, says a carbon sequestration expert.
You're gambling, Greens tell Government
1 Apr 2016
The Government is gambling with our future by not preparing now for rising seas which threaten up to $20 billion worth of New Zealand homes, the Green Party says.
Nasa readies green fuel to drive its spacecraft
1 Apr 2016
Nasa says its first “green” rocket fuel will be ready for use next year.
What does the science really say about sea-level rise?
1 Apr 2016
A recent high-profile study led by US climatologist James Hansen has warned that sea levels could rise by several metres by the end of this century. How realistic is this scenario?
Science grapples with climate conundrums
1 Apr 2016
New research illustrates that reactions of people, plants and animals to the changing climate are a key factor in unravelling the complexities of global warming.
That good addresses might not be so good for solar
31 Mar 2016
Auckland’s better-off suburbs are not as good for solar roof-top electricity generation as many of the city’s poorer suburbs, a computer modelling project by Auckland University school shows.
Beware the Exxon factor, lawyer warns big business
30 Mar 2016
Air New Zealand, Fonterra and other companies operating in heavy-emitting industries should be planning how to deal with their emissions to avoid “becoming an Exxon”, warns a Wellington environmental lawyer.
It wouldn't take much for e-cars to ease our emissions
30 Mar 2016
Replacing just 10 per cent of the cars in New Zealand with electric vehicles would cut the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by a million tonnes a year.
LanzaTech signs first US biofuels deal
30 Mar 2016
New Zealand-founded LanzaTech has signed its first North American deal, giving United States biofuels and biochemicals maker Aemetis exclusive rights to its patented technology to convert various types of waste gas to ethanol in California.
Clean water our greatest challenge, says tourism industry
30 Mar 2016
The tourism industry has come out in support of the campaign to clean up the country’s rivers, saying the clean-and-green image is too important to risk.
Rising heat brings earlier (and better) vintage
30 Mar 2016
Winegrowers can expect good grape harvests much earlier now, thanks to climate change, but scientists say the effect may not last.
Emitters, you have until Thursday
29 Mar 2016
Emitters have until Thursday to file returns for last year.
Capital plugs in to fast-charge e-car stations
29 Mar 2016
Wellington has its first high-speed electric car charging stations.
'Unless you make the price of fossil fuels honest, people will just keep burning them'
29 Mar 2016
"They talk like they realise there’s a problem, but they’re not taking the only action that would be effective. Unless you make the price of fossil fuels honest, by including their cost to society, people will just keep burning them." That's retired Nasa scientist Dr James Hansen, talking to Radio New Zealand’s Kim Hill on Saturday morning.
Does doing renewable energy demand the undoable?
29 Mar 2016
Switching to renewable energy as fast as the world needs to will require changes so massive that they are unlikely to happen, scientists say.
It looks like Asia is losing its appetite for coal
29 Mar 2016
Many hundreds of planned coal-fired power plants in Asia will probably be shelved as economies slow and climate change and air pollution worsen.
Cuba’s sustainable agriculture at risk in US thaw
29 Mar 2016
President Obama’s trip to Cuba this week accelerated the warming of US-Cuban relations. Many people in both countries believe that normalizing relations will spur investment that can help Cuba to develop its economy and improve life for its citizens. But in agriculture, US investment could cause harm instead.
Labour vows to set new rules around carbon risk
24 Mar 2016
Carbon risk disclosure would be compulsory under a Labour government, says finance spokesman Grant Robertson.
Airport recycles waste from aircraft
24 Mar 2016
More than half the waste coming off aeroplanes at Auckland airport is now being recycled.
OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: Labour lays it on the line
23 Mar 2016
Regional clusters, an overhaul of the country’s science system, and encouraging social enterprises could be part of a Labour government’s drive to develop clean-tech, sustainable jobs.
Black-out Bridges keeps us in the dark on e-cars
23 Mar 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges is refusing to release advice officials have given him on encouraging New Zealanders to switch to electric vehicles.
No worries, says Key, science will save the world
23 Mar 2016
Prime Minister John Key says that science will save the world from climate change.
US energy firm boosts Christchurch plant
23 Mar 2016
United States energy technology company Enphase Energy has expanded its Christchurch research plant.
Are vegetables really the most low-carbon diet?
23 Mar 2016
It is often claimed that a vegetarian diet is better for the environment, because grazing animals such as cattle and sheep produce a lot of methane, a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Electric cars the answer for NZ, says report
22 Mar 2016
Switching to electric vehicles will do more to prevent climate change than installing solar panels will – even if the electricity to power the cars comes from burning fossil fuels, says a new report.
Beehive blind to one big fact, says energy expert
22 Mar 2016
The Government’s argument that New Zealand should search for natural gas because it’s cleaner than coal ignores the fact that the world already has more fossil fuels than it can safely burn, says a world expert on energy and climate change.
Supermarket extends soft-plastics recycling
22 Mar 2016
Progressive Enterprises is extending the industry-led, Government-funded soft-plastics recycling trial to its Countdown supermarkets in Hamilton.
Labelling watchdog gets new chief
22 Mar 2016
Environmental Choice, the government-owned-and-backed environmental labelling organisation, has a new general manager.
European politicians push nuclear ‘poison pill’
22 Mar 2016
The economics of nuclear power in Europe are in meltdown, leaving taxpayers facing a heavy burden as the industry clings to pledges of huge public cash injections.
Goodies v baddies ... why labelling is holding farming back
22 Mar 2016
It’s hard to keep wild animals out of farms. Birds, mammals and insects all affect crop yields, in positive ways (such as flies pollinating flowers) and negative ones (such as when birds damage fruit).
Drilling for gas is good for us, says Government
21 Mar 2016
Drilling for gas in New Zealand will be good for the climate, the Government says.
Minister's reminder: Trees are really, really important
21 Mar 2016
Forests play a vital role in the economy and the environment, the Government is reminding New Zealanders.
Energy efficiency in itself can become a market
21 Mar 2016
New research by the European Commission suggests that energy efficiency can become a “niche” market that will attract investors away from fossil fuels.
Emissions standstill boosts Paris pact hopes
21 Mar 2016
The link between global economic growth and emissions growth has been further weakened as greenhouse gas levels show no increase for the second year in succession.
Welcome aboard, iwi adviser tells Air New Zealand
18 Mar 2016
Air New Zealand should not be the only company looking to work with iwi to generate carbon offsets, a consultant says.
New energy cuts our greenhouse gas emissions
18 Mar 2016
New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation are falling on the back of rising renewable generation.
Warm welcome could be awaiting oil industry bigwigs
18 Mar 2016
Oil industry executives meeting in Auckland on Monday might find they have a rather noisy reception.
Climate change lines up big hit for hydro plants
18 Mar 2016
Water shortages caused by climate change will affect two-thirds of the world’s hydro-electricity generation plants by 2069, a new report shows.
Give ETS strength, pleads forest industry chief
17 Mar 2016
The Emissions Trading Scheme is a eunuch that needs to have its vasectomy reversed, the head of the forestry industry says.
Carbon creeps up as minister talks ETS changes
17 Mar 2016
Carbon has gone to $11 on the back of Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett’s latest comments on carbon prices.
Protect your natural capital, urges Porritt
17 Mar 2016
New Zealand’s tourism industry will be severely damaged if the country continues to fail to live up to its 100% Pure marketing, says Air New Zealand’s sustainability panel chair Sir Jonathan Porritt.
Stretching the laws of physics will make a world of difference
17 Mar 2016
Carbon-negative cars, cost-effective organic solar cells and electricity from waste treatment are possible clean energy options as scientists stretch the laws of physics.
Meltdown Earth: Is there anyone out there listening?
17 Mar 2016
And another one bites the dust ... The year 2014 was the warmest recorded by humans. Then 2015 was warmer still. January 2016 broke the record for the largest monthly temperature anomaly. Then came last month.
Growth, energy and climate in focus at Trans-Tasman bilateral talks
Today 11:00am
Trans-Tasman climate cooperation was one of the themes at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, with senior government officials and business leaders from both sides of the ditch meeting in Canberra this week.
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
Vector hits emissions reduction goal five years early
Today 11:00am
By Liz Kivi | Auckland lines company Vector has met its 2030 emissions reduction reduction target five years early, more than halving its direct emissions, and crediting innovation and a laser-focus for its success in a hard-to-abate sector.
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.
Forest carbon stores massive blind spot - study
Thu 4 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand’s planted forests hold significant deep soil organic carbon — with over half of it stored below 30 cm, and much of it over 1,000 years old.
XRB consults on delaying climate reporting requirements
Thu 4 Sep 2025
The External Reporting Board is proposing a further two years relief for companies to adopt anticipated financial impacts reporting and scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions reporting and assurance.
