New Zealand: All stories
Could a levy on air and shipping fuel sink emissions?
2 Feb 2016
Global agreements to aim for “well below” 2deg warming are nice enough, but now it’s time to develop some detailed policies to help us to get there.
How planning helps these farmers to beat the climate
2 Feb 2016
South Africa’s Western Cape plays an important role in the agricultural economy, but is particularly vulnerable to a changing climate.
New oil and gas wells will wait for price rise
2 Feb 2016
Billions of gallons of oil and huge quantities of gas, already discovered and which companies were about to extract, are currently being left unexploited because of the plunge in oil prices.
High-tech power lines seen as solar solution
2 Feb 2016
Wind power and solar power are ways to reduce carbon emissions, but these generation sources are dependent on the vagaries of the weather, which means neither wind nor solar can produce electricity on-demand at all hours of the day.
Ancient plankton give up secrets to science
2 Feb 2016
Scientists have for the first time determined how and when more than 2000 species of ancient marine plankton became extinct, and a potential indicator for which current species might be vulnerable to rapid climate change.
NZ unlikely to act on emissions conditions
25 Jan 2016
New Zealand is unlikely to activate its conditional 2020 emissions reduction target, officials say.
Keystone pipeline case holds warning for NZ
25 Jan 2016
The Keystone oil pipeline case is the type of challenge New Zealand could face if it signs the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a new analysis shows.
We need fearless leaders, says Clark
25 Jan 2016
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark is calling for “fearless leadership” to get global agreements implemented – including the recently negotiated Paris Agreement on climate change.
Kiwis might be cool, but the heat is still on
25 Jan 2016
Last year might not have been especially hot in New Zealand, that but doesn’t mean the country isn’t experience the impact of climate change, experts say.
Stand by ... it's another rough ride for forests
25 Jan 2016
The past year has been a momentous time for the world’s forests, with both good and bad news. Fasten your seat belts, because 2016 promises to be another roller-coaster ride.
Pakistan turns to coal to keep factories running
25 Jan 2016
To tackle chronic energy shortages Pakistan plans to mine and burn millions of tonnes of coal, helped by China’s money and expertise.
Carbon capture technology needs urgent help
25 Jan 2016
Call for governments to give financial backing for technology that could help to save the world from overheating by preventing CO2 escaping into the atmosphere
The last time it was this hot hippos lived in Britain
25 Jan 2016
It’s official: 2015 was the warmest year on record. But those global temperature records only date back to 1850 and become increasingly uncertain the further back you go.
Eight submitters lead in the charge on ETS
18 Jan 2016
Just eight people and organisations have so far made submissions on the latest review of the Emissions Trading Scheme.
ETS hits the highway
18 Jan 2016
The Government is going on the road to hear what people think about the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Businesses' biggest headache is the climate
18 Jan 2016
Climate change is now the single biggest issue facing business, according to a new global survey.
Fishing group fears impact on Maori rights
18 Jan 2016
New Zealand’s largest Mâori-owned fishing group says it’s worried that recreational fishing parks and marine reserves will affect Maori fishing rights.
Bulbs slash airline kitchen's costs
18 Jan 2016
Using energy-efficient LED bulbs is saving flight catering services company LSG Sky Chefs $77,000 a year worth of power – and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42 tonnes a year.
Are electric vehicles really the best option?
18 Jan 2016
Jaguar Land Rover has become the latest car manufacturer to announce its entry into the world’s first fully electric racing series – the FIA Formula E World Championship.
New gear is making every drop of water count
18 Jan 2016
Finding better ways to make every drop of water count is at the heart of an innovative company in the driest continent on earth.
Why more droughts might mean less power
18 Jan 2016
Rising temperatures and reduced rainfall will make the flow of rivers less dependable, affecting supplies to the electricity generators that rely on them.
Science opens routes to energy recycling
18 Jan 2016
From turning carbon dioxide into a fuel to enabling cars to run on water, scientific researchers worldwide are unlocking the potential of new energy sources.
UK must balance food farming impacts
18 Jan 2016
The UK could reduce its emissions by converting farmland to absorb more carbon dioxide − but risks increasing climate change effects abroad.
We're beginning to see the wood despite the trees
15 Dec 2015
What’s in the Paris Agreement for forestry? Forest Owners’ Association chief executive DAVID RHODES reports from Paris.
New food status doesn't let NZ off the hook
15 Dec 2015
The pivotal role of agriculture in feeding the world has been recognised in the Paris Agreement on climate change – but that doesn’t mean New Zealand won’t be held accountable for biological emissions.
Facts come first, says our new climate chief
15 Dec 2015
The first big job facing new Climate Change Minister is the review of the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Govt didn't ask officials about agriculture and the ETS review
15 Dec 2015
The Government got no advice from officials on excluding agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme – despite officials earlier saying it should be included.
Pacific forester grabs Paris incentive
15 Dec 2015
The Paris Agreement on climate change is an incentive for businesses to work with landowners across New Zealand and the Pacific to protect indigenous forests, says a social enterprise specialising in voluntary carbon credits.
Minister releases (some) TPPA safeguards
15 Dec 2015
Official analysis of the environmental implications of the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement have been released – in part.
Foresters likely have cover for fire losses
15 Dec 2015
Most of the forests involved in a fire burning in Marlborough are likely to have been insured against carbon loss.
FREE! A Kiwis' view of climate change
15 Dec 2015
If you want to understand climate change and what we need to do about it, two new Bridget Williams Books Texts will help.
Farmers would do better to understand the land
15 Dec 2015
Suppose your relationship is falling apart and you want to save it. To find the best counsellor, you might search online or ask your friends. It’s no different in agriculture.
They've done it!
13 Dec 2015
A new global climate change agreement has been reached, with nearly 200 countries committing to a deal described as the end of the fossil fuel era.
Govt looks to slow solar spread, says industry player
7 Dec 2015
Desperate moves to delay the onslaught of widespread solar electricity generation – including making people with solar panels pay more for electricity from the grid and even keeping the Huntly coal-fired power station open – appear to be winning Government support, says an industry executive.
Catastrophe looms as arable land is lost
7 Dec 2015
Government officials are calling for major changes in the way New Zealand manages soils, as international scientists warn of catastrophic loss of arable land.
Labour's new voice wins support for island nations
7 Dec 2015
Labour’s new climate change spokesman for the Pacific already has runs on the board - getting the influential Parliamentarians for Global Action network to push for internationally recognition for climate change refugees.
Europe shows up NZ Kyoto credits decision
7 Dec 2015
The morality of New Zealand’s plans to use carry-over Kyoto credits to meet its 2020 emissions reduction target is being undermined by European countries cancelling millions of their own carry-over credits.
Climate action 'could halve energy firms' worth'
7 Dec 2015
If the world succeeds in reaching its targets for curbing greenhouse gases, a leading bank says, it will mean huge quantities of oil and gas reserves must be left unused.
Corporate sustainability won’t solve climate change
7 Dec 2015
In the run-up to the COP21 international climate summit in Paris, business leaders worldwide have shown substantial support for action on greenhouse gases.
Energy game-changers look to future
7 Dec 2015
Innovative new research into clean energy technology shows there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels – provided there is enough political will and investment.
Small wind turbines switching into top gear
7 Dec 2015
Global energy production from small wind turbines will increase five-fold by 2025, a new report says.
Oil-hunter Key calls for end to fossil fuel help
30 Nov 2015
Prime Minister John Key today will lead a high-powered call for an end to fossil fuel subsidies – despite the fact his Government is subsidising fossil fuel exploration.
Little strengthens climate change muscle
30 Nov 2015
Labour leader Andrew Little has used today’s shadow cabinet reshuffle to send a strong signal on climate change and environmental issues, by boosting the issue up the rankings, appointing a spokesperson specifically for Pacific Islands climate change issues, and introducing a water portfolio.
$400m cost attached to keeping 1:2 subsidy
30 Nov 2015
Retaining the one-for-two subsidy for emitters will cost taxpayers $400 million – and that’s just at today’s carbon prices, says climate law expert Simon Watt.
Treat agriculture like anyone else, says Caygill
30 Nov 2015
Agriculture should not be treated any differently from any other trade-exposed industry, says the man who led the previous Emissions Trading Scheme Review.
Plant to beat emissions, expert tells farmers
30 Nov 2015
Cutting production is not the only way for New Zealand to offset agricultural emissions, says a forestry expert.
Taupo farmers take sustainability award
30 Nov 2015
A Taupo farming operation that found a way to live within a nitrogen cap took the top award at this year’s Sustainable Business Network awards.
Can eating less meat really tackle climate change?
30 Nov 2015
With the food system accounting for up to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, anything that reduces its impact will make a big difference to the climate.
Perfect storm heads for fossil fuel assets
30 Nov 2015
The coal, oil and gas sectors have been warned that trillions of dollars of assets could be stranded if a global agreement on limiting climate change is reached at the UN summit in Paris.
Just what is solar thermal electricity, anyway?
30 Nov 2015
A large solar thermal electricity plant will soon begin operating near Ouarzazate, Morocco, which will reportedly bring energy to a million people when fully complete.
Pacific climate response in question as NZ finance remains unclear
19 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | With New Zealand's $1.3 billion international climate finance commitment set to end with no clarity on what follows, the Auditor-General says oversight of that funding remains patchy and long-term outcomes are unclear.
NZ hydrogen regulation to catch up with the world
18 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The government has announced a regulatory reset for New Zealand’s emerging clean tech hydrogen sector.
State-owned farmer drives profit growth with emissions reductions
19 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Government-owned Landcorp, trading as Pāmu, is one-third of the way to meeting its 2031 emissions reduction targets, with five years left to run to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30.3% against 2021 emissions.
Transport dominates NZ’s rising consumer emissions
10 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Transport pollution was the biggest contributor to an increase in New Zealand’s consumption-based emissions in 2023, with emissions from household travel up 12%, and consumption-based emissions totalling 58.3 million tonnes – up 1.6% from the previous year.
NZ could become ‘dumping ground’ for dirty vehicles: Commissioner
16 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has warned the Government that its changes to the clean car standard could turn the country into a dumping ground for high emitting cars, making future emissions budgets harder to achieve.
Uncertainty eroding confidence in forestry sector
5 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Warnings are mounting that tree planting is set to plunge to “very close to zero”, as new Ministry for Primary Industries data shows ETS registration applications falling sharply as confidence in forestry declines.
Investors must support positive climate-tech
28 Nov 2025
OPINION: We need better leadership than the current ‘climate opportunism’ that is rife in the Beehive, and we need to back a marketplace that will make it happen, writes Rob Campbell.
