New Zealand: All stories
Green homes only as good as who's pushing the buttons
10 Jun 2016
A well-insulated home with a high-efficiency air conditioner and programmable thermostat are only as effective as the person using it.
Iceland geothermal plant turns CO2 into stone
10 Jun 2016
A pilot project in Iceland has shown carbon dioxide can be pumped underground and turned to stone in a matter of months – far quicker than scientists expected.
Ontario to offer e-car rebates in $6.5b carbon plan
10 Jun 2016
Ontario will spend as much as $NZ9.1 billion through 2020 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, betting big on electric vehicles with rebates of as much as $15,500 a car and 500 charging stations to spur sales.
China sets 2016 solar cap at 18GW
10 Jun 2016
China has set its 2016 solar installation cap at 18.1GW and took significant steps to address curtailment and encourage consolidation, according to leaked documents being widely circulated in China.
Emissions stopped growing in 2015, says BP
10 Jun 2016
Carbon emissions stopped growing in 2015 for the first time in 10 years as the world turned its back on coal and embraced energy efficiency and renewable power with increased vigour, according to a new set of statistics.
SEA-RISE RISK: We're facing damage worth billions
9 Jun 2016
More than a billion dollars worth of New Zealand’s road and rail networks is at risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change, a Ministry of Transport report says.
We've got water, what we need is a better way of knowing how much
9 Jun 2016
Water crises seem to be everywhere. In Flint, the water might kill us. In Syria, the worst drought in hundreds of years is exacerbating civil war.
Energy independence won’t cure climate ills
9 Jun 2016
Analysts say tackling climate change is a more difficult and expensive challenge for governments than achieving the unconnected goal of being self-reliant for energy needs.
Extreme weather turning some crops toxic
9 Jun 2016
The United Nations has warned that extreme weather conditions are prompting crops to release toxins, and eating these crops is detrimental to human health.
CARBON COST: Govt ignores roading impact
8 Jun 2016
The Government sought no advice on whether building major new roads would affect greenhouse gas emissions, documents show.
Countdown finds emissions cuts are working
8 Jun 2016
Countdown has cut the emissions-intensity of its supermarkets by 26 per cent.
NZ takes part in first global fishing treaty
8 Jun 2016
New Zealand is one of 29 countries to sign a groundbreaking international accord aimed at stamping out illegal fishing.
Soil researcher has a wee problem
8 Jun 2016
Scientists are puzzled by unexpected and conflicting results from research into the affect of irrigation on greenhouse gas emissions from soil.
How to achieve sustainable clean water for everyone
8 Jun 2016
The provision of clean, safe drinking water in much of the world is one of the most significant public health achievements of the past century – and one of the foundation stones of a healthy society.
Wind and solar entering new generation
8 Jun 2016
Wind and solar power are entering a new phase of deployment and affordability, according to a new study from the International Energy Agency.
Dubai building largest solar power plant
8 Jun 2016
Dubai will build the world's largest concentrated solar power project that will generate 1000 megawatts of power by 2020 - and a whopping 5000 megawatts by 2030.
Big names back global renewable energy drive
7 Jun 2016
A new international campaign will see some of the world’s largest companies working with governments to scale-up renewable energy in support of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
EV report cynical and diversionary, says Solarcity
7 Jun 2016
The latest report pushing investment in electric vehicles instead of solar panels is an attempt by the old energy industry to slow the public uptake of solar power, says solar energy company Solarcity.
Europe’s renewables spending hits 10-year low
7 Jun 2016
The reputation of Europe as a renewable energy leader has taken a serious knock as its investment dropped by 21 per cent last year while global figures reached record levels.
What in the world is a Watly?
7 Jun 2016
MARCO A. ATTISANI’s company, Watly, has built a device that uses solar to desalinise water and generate electricity at the same time. He marked World Environment Day on Sunday with a message for other businesses.
Nuclear plants face global crisis of ageing
7 Jun 2016
The nuclear industry worldwide faces an escalating battle to keep ageing reactors running as about a quarter of components and computer systems become obsolete.
Airlines accused of backsliding on climate deal
7 Jun 2016
Leading air carriers have claimed they would support a new market-based scheme to curb emissions – but many remain unconvinced.
Ten EU countries sign offshore wind power pact
7 Jun 2016
Ten northern European countries have agreed to cooperate on offshore wind power infrastructure and regulations.
BHP steps up carbon storage efforts
7 Jun 2016
BHP Billiton is stepping up its efforts to bolster the use of technology to capture and store carbon emissions, by funding a joint research program with Peking University, which is aimed at slashing carbon emissions in the industrial sector.
Investors bet coal has a future as backup
7 Jun 2016
A Prague-based company is buying up coal plants in Europe with the goal of securing the facilities as the backup energy supply to solar plants and wind farms.
New report backs e-cars over solar panels
3 Jun 2016
A second report has backed electric vehicles over solar panels for cutting greenhouses gas emissions in New Zealand.
Bye-bye bike, Postman Pat will soon drive a Paxster
3 Jun 2016
New Zealand Post’s first electric vans have arrived.
VW to make big electric-car commitment
3 Jun 2016
Volkswagen is reportedly considering building its own battery factory as part of a large commitment to electric cars. The company is targeting sales of one million electric cars within 10 years.
Volvo concept trucks cut fuel by a third
3 Jun 2016
A Volvo project, which already has returned fuel cuts of 30 per cent, ultimately aims to double long-haul truck efficiency through aerodynamic and other fuel-saving features.
Chile has so much solar energy it's giving it away
3 Jun 2016
Chile’s solar industry has expanded so quickly that it’s giving electricity away for free.
SOUTHERN COMFORT: Southland sets the new-energy style
2 Jun 2016
New Zealand needs regional emissions reduction targets as well as a national target, our southern- most region says.
Energy solutions need leaders, money and ideas
2 Jun 2016
Solving the energy trilemma requires policy leadership and investment in new technologies, world energy leaders are being told.
Entrepreneurs join green-growth organisation
2 Jun 2016
Internationally successful entrepreneurs Victoria Ransom and Katherine Corich are new trustees for the business-led green growth organisation Pure Advantage.
Dams could be backup for melted glacier water
2 Jun 2016
Building dams at the bottom of disappearing glaciers to capture the runoff from melting mountain snow will be needed later this century to prevent widespread water shortages in the summer months.
Renewable energy smashes global records
2 Jun 2016
An upsurge in new wind, solar and hydro plants and capacity saw renewable energy smash global records last year, according to a report on new supply.
German leader agrees to put brakes on green energy
2 Jun 2016
German chancellor Angela Merkel has hammered out a deal with state premiers on the latest reform to Germany’s renewable energy law aimed at curbing the costs and controlling the speed of the roll-out of green power sources.
Could baking-soda sponge mop up carbon emissions?
2 Jun 2016
Scientists in California are testing sponges made with the key ingredient of baking soda as a way of capturing carbon emissions.
CLIMATE CO-OP: Welcome to Coalition of the Willing
1 Jun 2016
The announcement yesterday of a formal working relationship between the Labour and Green parties is a potential turning-point in New Zealand’s battle to adapt to climate change.
YES! We have ideas ... lots of them
1 Jun 2016
The organisers of yesterday’s Yes We Can! seminar on how to transition the New Zealand energy system to a low-carbon future have got a good problem – too many ideas.
Farm trust chief ends 10 years at helm
1 Jun 2016
New Zealand Farm Environment Trust general manager David Natzke is stepping down after a decade at the helm.
Southern long-fin eels to go it alone
1 Jun 2016
Management of at-risk native long-fin eels in the South Island is to be separated from management of their short-fin cousins.
New York to cut emissions by 100%
1 Jun 2016
Lawmakers in New York have introduced a bill aimed at cutting the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 100 per cent by 2050.
How we can slash emissions from industrial buildings
31 May 2016
New Zealand could cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a million tonnes a year by 2030 through better energy management in commercial buildings, says the Energy Management Association.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We're being taught not to waste it
31 May 2016
New Zealanders are about to get lessons in how not to waste food.
Diplomat takes on agriculture emissions job
31 May 2016
New Zealand’s Ambassador to Argentina has got a new job – selling the importance of finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Funding round opens for emissions research
31 May 2016
The fourth round of the funding for research to cut agricultural greenhouse gas emissions is open.
Norway commits to zero deforestation
31 May 2016
Norway has become the first country in the world to commit to zero deforestation.
Forests to cover 25% of China in eco project
31 May 2016
Nearly one quarter of China will be covered in forest by 2020 if the country implements its "eco-civilization" project.
How fracking can contribute to climate change
31 May 2016
Leakage of natural gas from drilling and pipework means more methane is entering the atmosphere.
OFF TARGET: Carbon over-shoot could cost billions
30 May 2016
Officials warned the Government that New Zealand was at risk of over-shooting its 2030 emissions reduction target by 150 million tonnes – due largely to subsidies to emitters and a stockpile of privately held carbon units.
Pacific Islands call for fossil fuel phase-out, NZ hangs back
Today 11:00am
By Liz Kivi | Pacific Islands nations have launched a landmark declaration for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific, calling for a Fossil Fuel Treaty and urgent phase-out of fossil fuels, however New Zealand isn’t rushing to join the call.
Going concern status flags depth of Methanex NZ's gas crisis
Tue 21 Apr 2026
Methanex's New Zealand operation is relying on financial support from its Canadian parent to remain a going concern after a second consecutive year of asset impairments left the business with negative equity.
Fonterra admits ‘100% grass-fed’ claim breached law in greenwashing row
2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has admitted its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” claims on Anchor butter were misleading and breached the law, settling a case brought by Greenpeace Aotearoa over packaging used between December 2023 and April 2025.
Climate pollution static but NZ still on track for first emissions budget, says MfE
Fri 17 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is still on track to meet its first emissions budget, according to the Ministry for the Environment, despite the pace of emissions reductions slowing to a standstill.
NZ’s latest push to roll out more EV chargers is a good thing – but can it go the distance?
14 Apr 2026
A $50 million plan to expand New Zealand’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network marks another step toward a lower-emissions transport system.
Wilding conifers continue to plague Southland
Fri 17 Apr 2026
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter | Fast-spreading conifer trees are causing headaches in Southland as inconsistent funding continues to hinder control efforts.
Victorian Hydrogen announces Southland urea fertiliser project using coal
Wed 22 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Australian-based Victorian Hydrogen has announced it is developing a new 1.5 million-tonne-a-year urea fertiliser operation in Southland, which it will apply for under fast-track legislation.
