New Zealand: All stories
Angry iwi to file carbon prices Treaty claim
30 May 2014
A $600-million Treaty of Waitangi claim over the Government’s climate change policies and carbon prices is to go ahead.
Foresters could have arbitrage case, says expert
30 May 2014
A litigator turned forest manager says that the Government’s surprise move to close an arbitrage loophole for forest owners could be legally challenged.
Big emitters join arbitrage action ... later
30 May 2014
The Government says that it is effectively closing the arbitrage opportunity for industrial emitters from the middle of next year.
Climate change? She'll be right, says Shell
30 May 2014
Shell, the world’s largest oil company, believes that governments will not damage its business by taking rapid action on climate change, and says all its oil reserves will be needed and sold at a profit.
Hydrogen and fuel cells worth a look for home heating
30 May 2014
The inhabitants of a frequently cold and windy country like the United Kingdom need to heat their homes, even in what is loosely termed “summer”.
Costly golden oldie now gets heating energy from the sea
30 May 2014
You’re responsible for a historic building, and you’re finding the heating bills an increasing burden? There’s a fairly simple answer − so long as you live near the sea.
Look, ma, no hands ... Google car could be a threat, says GM
30 May 2014
Google dropped its driverless car on the motor world this week and the concept immediately won praise from a leading industry executive.
Beware the greenwashed air travel offer
30 May 2014
By SHARON BEDER, honorary professor at the University of Wollongong.- When was the last time you booked a flight? That extra $A1 in the final stages of booking may seem a small price to pay for offsetting the carbon emissions you generate travelling by air.
Former oil executive joins EPA board
30 May 2014
The latest member appointed to the Environmental Protection Authority has background in the oil and gas industry.
Learn new ways to manage pests
30 May 2014
Lincoln University and the Biological Husbandry Unit are holding a series of workshops on new ways to manage pests.
Foresters threaten to pull out of ETS
23 May 2014
Participation by forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme will come to a sudden halt because the Government has shown it will change the rules at the drop of a hat, industry sources say.
Government took easy option on forest credits
23 May 2014
The Government feared that an “arbitrage loophole” allowing forest owners to move in and out of the Emissions Trading Scheme could cost it up to $231 million over the next two years.
Seeds for all seasons when farmers get together
23 May 2014
Small-scale farmers from as far apart as Peru, China and Bhutan have agreed to share indigenous crop varieties in a pioneering initiative to help adaptation to climate change.
Methane hydtrates are a whole new world
23 May 2014
Last year, Japanese scientists announced they had for the first time extracted gas from offshore deposits of methane hydrate, an ice-like substance made of natural gas trapped inside water crystals.
Maori unhappy about having to back carbon move
16 May 2014
The Maori Party says it is being forced against its will to support Government moves to stamp out arbitrage by one sector of the carbon market.
Surprise forest credits move sees market rise
16 May 2014
The domestic market traded up this morning on news that the Government plans to stop owners of post-1989 forests from using Kyoto credits to meet exiting obligations.
Govt explains arbitrage actions
16 May 2014
The Government says it is targeting post-1989 forest owners with its anti-arbitrage moves because it is the only sector that can move in and out of the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Offsets flow from China, Ukraine and Russia
16 May 2014
China, the Ukraine and Russia continue to be the major source of offsets entering the European Emissions Trading Scheme, latest figures show.
New-look energy system catches the wind
16 May 2014
A new wind power generation system is so safe it can be built alongside existing city buildings, reducing power transportation costs, its American developer says.
Coal use spiking climate mitigation costs
16 May 2014
The global cost of pegging global warming to 2deg has risen by $8 trillion in the past two years, due to soaring coal use which has eclipsed the roll-out of renewable energies, says a new report.
Australia expects slow start with emissions fund
16 May 2014
The Australian Government expects that less than half of the $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund will be spent over the next four years.
Drought lines up corn for a fall
16 May 2014
Maize yields are on the increase in the United States − but so is the crop’s sensitivity to drought. Scientists calculate that, as things stand, crops could lose 15 per cent of their yield within 50 years.
You could bill the beef, scientists tell Brazil
16 May 2014
Scientists have come up with a new prescription to address the Amazon rainforest’s health problems: reduce deforestation more efficiently by taxing freerange beef.
Can we harness the might of magma?
16 May 2014
Can enormous heat deep in the earth be harnessed to provide energy for us on the surface? A promising report from a geothermal borehole project that accidentally struck magma – the same fiery, molten rock that spews from volcanoes – suggests it could.
New environment rules keep foresters in line
16 May 2014
A new standard provides forest owners and managers with environmental, economic, social, and cultural criteria that support the sustainable management of forests.
Early carbon auctions unlikely, says Government
9 May 2014
The Government says it is unlikely to auction carbon units before 2016.
Businesses keen on solar, but need official help
9 May 2014
Businesses are about to install enough solar panels on their roofs to generate 5.5 megawatts of electricity – the equivalent of a small hydro power station.
Companies need disaster insurance, says expert
9 May 2014
Companies should be required to take out public liability insurance to protect taxpayers from having to foot the bill for environmental disasters, an environmental law expert says.
Southland gets nod for wood-fuel hub
9 May 2014
Southland is to become a supply hub for a wood-fuel industry, it has just been announced.
US businesses tread water on enviro issues
9 May 2014
By KIEREN COOKE.- If corporate America attended climate change college, the report card would read: “Modest progress but has to try much harder.”
UN names Christchurch and Timaru as our worst air polluters
9 May 2014
Air pollution in Timaru and Christchurch exceeds World Health Organisation guidelines, latest figures show.
Be very wary of oil, report urges big investors
9 May 2014
Investors are being urged to warn oil companies that they are risking trillions of dollars in exploiting oil fields that will probably never be profitable − and to consider selling their shares if the companies fail to listen to them.
Air NZ aims high with solar power programme
9 May 2014
Air New Zealand will install the largest single solar array in New Zealand at its Auckland Technical Operations base later this month.
Meltdown as ice-cream maker sides with campaigners
9 May 2014
United States-based ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s recently caused a stir by siding with the World Wildlife Fund and Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Fight for the Reef campaign.
Canberra finds ways to implement emissions plan
9 May 2014
The Australian Government will be able to implement its Emissions Reduction Fund in July - but business may bypass the scheme in year one.
Why Australia has something to worry about
9 May 2014
The state of Australia’s environment is a real worry – the report cards exist to prove it.
Europe reports fall in CO2 emissions from energy use
9 May 2014
The carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion decreased by 2.5 per cent across the European Union last year, according to early estimates published this week.
Scientists answer soil microbes questions
9 May 2014
Scientists from the United States, China and Ireland may have settled one big question about climate change: don’t rely on the soil microbes to help to damp down the temperatures.
Food crops might lose their bite, says report
9 May 2014
Food crops might become less nutritious as climate change kicks in, new research has found.
Pure NZ campaign a liability, says consultant
2 May 2014
New Zealand’s 100% Pure marketing campaign is a 100% liability, says an Auckland environmental consultant.
NZUs issued to post-1989 forest owners
2 May 2014
Nearly seven million NZUs have been issued so far this year to owners of post-1989 forests.
Abbott's emission scheme seen as short-term fix
2 May 2014
Australia’s $2.5 billion Emissions Reduction Fund has been described as “Nero’s fiddle”.
Australia explains how emissions plan will work
2 May 2014
The Australian Government has released its Emissions Reduction Fund White Paper, setting out what it calls a cost-effective, practical and simple approach to reduce national emissions without a multi-billion dollar carbon tax.
New guide has sustainability answers
2 May 2014
Want to make sure your supply chain is green? Try the Sustainable Business Network’s new business directory.
China's city smog might have a silver lining
2 May 2014
China's response to its air pollution crisis might provide a major breakthrough in addressing global warming and a new impetus to international climate change negotiations, according to analysts.
It’s here … all-weather solar power (even at night)
2 May 2014
With the help of some clever engineering, the power of the Sun can now keep electricity turbines running however cloudy it may be, both night and day.
Science aims to cut brown coal emissions by 50%
2 May 2014
Australian scientists plan to conduct a $A1 million trial with the aim of reducing emissions from brown coal-generated electricity by 50 per cent compared to current technology.
Plastics industry on right track, says EU
2 May 2014
As the European Commission prepares to review the EU’s waste targets, the plastics industry, a symbol of the EU’s ‘throw-away society’, is one of the focal points in discussions on resource efficiency.
It's time to put non-edible biomass to work
2 May 2014
Bioenergy and biofuels have an important role to play in lowering the use of carbon-intensive fossil fuels – a point underscored by the IPCC report which confirmed the need for further research to improve such technology. By ADAM LEE, Professor of Sustainable Chemistry, and KAREN WILSON, Professor of Catalysis and Research Director, of Aston University, Birmingham.
Charge raises questions about 'clean coal' method
2 May 2014
Recent news that a gas project in Queensland has been charged with environmental harm has put the spotlight on underground coal gasification, or UCG.
Govt climate claims don't match reality, lawyers say
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Lawyers for Climate Action has accused the Government of presenting an overly positive picture of New Zealand's climate progress at the United Nations climate summit in Bonn, arguing key claims on emissions reductions and support for the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal are not reflected in domestic policy.
Canadian firm seeks Crown co-investment for Genesis-supported gas storage project
Fri 19 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | A proposed gas storage project supported by Genesis Energy has sought Crown co-investment through the $200 million Gas Security Fund.
Fed Farmers' election wish-list includes stopping whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry
9 Jun 2026
Federated Farmers has launched a five-point plan for the next government, setting out what it says should be a major focus for political parties heading into the November election.
'Terrible result': Emissions barely budged in 2024
5 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions were virtually unchanged in 2024, falling by 0.03%, despite the economy shrinking by ten times that amount during the same period, according to new data.
Labour pledges unlimited public transport for $20 a week
10 Jun 2026
The Labour Party is promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, if elected in November.
Nature-based solutions – such as forestry – crucial for carbon removal
5 Jun 2026
COMMENT: Transitioning from erodible pasture to well-managed forest can yield substantial environmental benefits, writes James Treadwell.
Ballance secures gas for 2026 as it progresses energy transition plan
Tue 16 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | One of the largest industrial gas users in New Zealand is working on an energy transition plan to futureproof domestic fertiliser manufacturing, while continuing to secure ongoing gas supply contracts.
