New Zealand: All stories

Why the big boys are serious about carbon pricing
7 Feb 2014
Several of the largest international oil companies, along with other major companies, are taking the prospect of international carbon pricing seriously, writes BARRY NAUGHTON.

Turbine tower installers eye windfall
7 Feb 2014
The wind turbine towers market is expected to be worth $US19.3 billion by 2020.

Hang on, isn't carbon-happy China just making stuff for us?
7 Feb 2014
Is it fair that China is blamed for the carbon dioxide emissions it generates to manufacture products destined for the West? asks Glen West, of the Center for International Climate and Environment Research.

Academic eyes ways to hold back flood waters
7 Feb 2014
Floods are becoming harder to manage by trying to hold water back behind flood defences, so it’s time to look at how to defend against them at the building and community level.

Engineers claim solar cell breakthrough
7 Feb 2014
California engineers have invented a new process for manufacturing highly efficient photovoltaic materials that shows promise for low-cost industrial production.

Major powerco sets pace for fall in emissions
31 Jan 2014
New Zealand's greenhouse-gas emissions from energy have fallen on the back of a massive cut from our single largest emitter.

It's the forestry effect, explains Groser
31 Jan 2014
The Government is blaming a projected greenhouse gas emissions increase on forestry cycles.

NZ slow to adopt green standards
31 Jan 2014
New Zealand business is trailing the world when it comes to environmental standards.

We're willing to pay for an ecosystem, says study
31 Jan 2014
New Zealanders are willing to pay cold hard cash for the ecosystem services provided by plantation forests.

Think or swim ... that's our climate change choice
31 Jan 2014
Making people think about the impact climate change could have on their homes makes them more likely to take action to prevent it, researchers say.

Time for a green revolution, says Norman
31 Jan 2014
The Green Party is invoking the legacies of Seddon, Savage and Kirk in a bid to pitch the green economy as the next big thing for New Zealand.

All power to Scottish tides, say engineers
31 Jan 2014
Renewable tidal energy sufficient to power about half of Scotland could be harnessed from a single stretch of water off the north coast of the country, engineers say.

More forest owners decide to leave ETS
24 Jan 2014
The number of post-1989 forest owners quitting the Emissions Trading Scheme quadrupled last year on the back of cheap carbon prices.

Drought message is clear, says climate study
24 Jan 2014
The drought that plagued large areas of the country last year was the worst on record, signalling New Zealand's climate is changing.

Study doubts value of land abatements
24 Jan 2014
The full abatement potential of Australia’s land sector is unlikely to be realised under existing policies, says carbon advisory firm RepuTex.

Climate paralysis risks our reputation, say Greens
24 Jan 2014
New Zealand’s continuing failure to do our share on climate change puts our clean green image at risk, the Green Party says.

The war on science: Why we should be very afraid
24 Jan 2014
Climate scientist Dr JIM SALINGER on why we should be very worried by attempts to discredit data showing New Zealand's climate is warming:

Database updates how we use energy
24 Jan 2014
An updated picture of how New Zealanders use energy is now available, showing where and how energy is used and a snapshot of how energy use is changing.

Tiny sensors will allow bees to tell us their troubles
24 Jan 2014
Thousands of honey bees in Australia are being fitted with sensors as part of a world-first research programme to monitor the insects and their environment using a technique known as 'swarm sensing'.

So, if the carbon tax isn't working, what is?
24 Jan 2014
Melbourne Energy Institute director MIKE SANDIFORD asks the Abbott Government to explain:

Pulp politics bring tension to Tasmania
24 Jan 2014
KATE CROWLEY, Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Policy at the University of Tasmania, examines the tension between the economy and the environment in the state's politics:

China tops wind turbine installations
24 Jan 2014
China will remain the leading global consumer of wind turbine rotor blades over the coming years, a new international report says.

Farmers put weight behind water storage
24 Jan 2014
Farmers say climate change means water storage is more important than ever.
Z Energy adds clean-fuel outlet
24 Jan 2014
A second public truck stop is selling Z Energy’s low-emissions Z DEC fuel.

EDITORIAL: Forget the pretence and let's make a real start with our water quality
20 Dec 2013
It's been an interesting year, with new carbon markets opening in some of the largest economies in the world, including North America and China.

Post-recession, we're becoming a nation of greener Kiwis
20 Dec 2013
New Zealanders coming out of recession have quite different attitudes to sustainability than they had going in, says a social trend researcher.

ETS dysfunctional, says forestry academic
20 Dec 2013
Deforesation and a lack of new planting means New Zealand is unlikely to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target, a forestry expert is warning.

Fuels emissions levels show increase
20 Dec 2013
New Zealand's emissions from liquid fuels rose over the September quarter, latest figures show.

Court throws out Taranaki drilling challenge
20 Dec 2013
The High Court has dismissed Greenpeace's challenge to the EPA's decision over Anadarko's oil exploration in the Taranaki Basin.

Search is on for native forests carbon
20 Dec 2013
Government officials are reviewing just how much carbon is stored in our native forests.

FORUM: We don't want our landscapes to become movie fiction
20 Dec 2013
Eco-man MALCOLM RANDS - founder of the Ecostore business - argues for the protection of "brand New Zealand":

Don't burn crop rubble, says scholar
20 Dec 2013
A visiting scholar is questioning the Foundation for Arable Research's recommendation to burn crop residue.

Young scientist sets sights on future of the mozzie
20 Dec 2013
The potential impact of climate change on insect predator-prey interactions is being investigated by a University of Canterbury postgraduate scholarship-winning student.
Airways opens green routes
20 Dec 2013
Seven "green" aviation routes have been introduced across Asia Pacific.
Diesel additive has new outlet
20 Dec 2013
A second truck stop is to sell Z Energy’s low-emissions diesel additive.

Govt sitting on millions worth of Kyoto units
13 Dec 2013
The Government is sitting on millions of Kyoto units which could reduce the cost of the country's carbon liability.

Errors in forest returns could be costly, says expert
13 Dec 2013
Many forest owners could run into costly penalties for innocent mistakes in their carbon returns, a consultant is warning.

Move on carbon units worries foresters
13 Dec 2013
Last week's Government announcement on the future of carbon units after 2015 does nothing to stimulate action to reduce the nation’s net greenhouse gas emissions, says the Forest Owners’ Association.

Govt releases climate change commitment report
13 Dec 2013
The Government has just released the Sixth National Communication on Climate Change report.

Sydney set to paint the town ... green
13 Dec 2013
Green thumbs across Sydney are being encouraged to reach for the sky under the City of Sydney’s new green roofs and walls policy.

Why wise businesses should take note of Gen Y Kiwis
13 Dec 2013
Businesses must cater to the increasing needs, desires and purchasing power of Gen Y Kiwis, driven by sustainability concerns, according to a new Colmar Brunton survey.
Restrictions on CERs and ERUs
6 Dec 2013
The use of international Kyoto credits in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme is to be restricted.

Beehive seems set to block cheap foreign credits
6 Dec 2013
The Government today is expected to announce moves to restrict the flow of cheap foreign carbon credits into New Zealand.

Govt has way to aid clean-tech pioneers, says Labour
6 Dec 2013
The Government could use its buying power to support New Zealand’s clean-tech pioneers, the Labour Party says.

NXT biofuels project excites retail chain
6 Dec 2013
The NXT Fuels biofuels refinery project could be a breakthrough for the industry, says fuel retailer Gull New Zealand.

Country on countdown to pricing environment
6 Dec 2013
A decision will be made early next year on whether New Zealand will put a price on its natural capital.

OPINION: Future of coal calls for serious debate … not slogans
6 Dec 2013
By CHIS BAKER, CEO, Straterra. Some New Zealanders are calling for an immediate ban on all new coal mines.

Carbon storage report will shape new laws
6 Dec 2013
A report launched in Wellington yesterday lays the foundations for new laws around the storage of carbon dioxide as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Wind industry wants gas turned down
6 Dec 2013
The wind energy industry is calling for New Zealand’s baseload gas-fired generation to be retired to converted to peaker plants.

Mix rice straw with wool and you get ... Mibu
6 Dec 2013
A new sustainable wool and rice straw blended upholstery fabric developed by a Wellington company goes into commercial production next year with the potential to create significant demand for New Zealand crossbred wool.