New Zealand: All stories
Mainfreight releases climate related risks report
12 Oct 2023
Transport company Mainfreight has released its first climate related risks report, saying its position is “net positive” in terms of climate risks and opportunities.
“Aotearoa IS warming: It’s us. It’s bad” - new report
11 Oct 2023
It is clear that Aotearoa is warming, according to a new report on the state of our atmosphere and climate. But experts say we can still do something about it.
Generators worry about thermal transition
11 Oct 2023
A number of major generators have taken issue with the Electricity Authority’s view that the risks around the thermal generation transition and managing dry years are low.
Foresters take legal action against new ETS fees
10 Oct 2023
Foresters have filed a judicial review aiming to stop the government’s new fee system for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme, which they say will increase costs by several thousand percent.
NZ still has a long way to go to meet emission reduction targets: "This ship can sink"
10 Oct 2023
By Robert McLachlan | COMMENT: The 2016 Paris Agreement contains a built-in feedback mechanism to help ensure that its goals are met: the Global Stocktake. Every five years all pledges and progress are assessed and compared to the targets on warming, adaptation, and financing.
Shifting gears on transport emissions
10 Oct 2023
Business vehicle fleets are still lagging on emission reductions, EROAD’s latest Sustainability Survey shows.
Recloaking Papatūānuku: proposal for massive planting of native forests
9 Oct 2023
By Jeremy Rose | By one measure New Zealand has emitted more CO2 per capita since the beginning of the industrial revolution than any other country.
Christchurch to host UN climate adaptation conference
9 Oct 2023
Ōtautahi Christchurch will host the world’s top scientists, Indigenous scholars, and policymakers at a UN climate adaptation conference planned for 2025.
New marine reserves good first step: environmentalists
6 Oct 2023
The government’s announcement yesterday of six new marine reserves in the south-east of the South Island has been universally welcomed. But environmentalists say more needs to be done and to meet the country’s obligations around marine protection, and Māori are calling for a law change.
Workers say employers aren't doing enough for the planet - survey
6 Oct 2023
More than two-thirds of Kiwi workers say their employers aren’t doing enough for the environment, with 54% saying none of their expectations are being met when it comes to their employer’s sustainability practices.
Best by the rest...
6 Oct 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: A layperson’s guide to the climate change policies on offer this election; NZ cancels final 21.5m Kyoto-era carbon credits; and the battle for NZ’s farming heartland.
Little appetite for European-style climate interventions
5 Oct 2023
By Jeremy Rose | Outdoor heaters are banned in France and many German cities where critics argue that using fossil fuels to literally heat the planet is unacceptable.
Govt releases Cabinet papers on ETS forestry charges
5 Oct 2023
The government has proactively released cabinet papers on controversial new charges for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Foresters say new rules will lead to less planting
4 Oct 2023
A group that petitioned for a Ministerial inquiry into land use in Tairāwhiti has welcomed new rules for exotic tree planting, however foresters say that the regulations will lead to less forest planting and could compromise climate change targets.
The bumpy road to transport carbon neutrality
3 Oct 2023
By Jeremy Rose | The road to climate hell is a brand spanking new, asphalt paved motorway.
Govt defends new charges for forestry in ETS
3 Oct 2023
The government is defending new charges in the Emissions Trading Scheme, which foresters say will discourage planting, and some say could be open to legal challenges.
Guides to the ‘climate election’
2 Oct 2023
This might not be the ‘climate election’ many were calling for, but plenty of advocates are trying to steer voters towards thinking about the climate when they decide which boxes to tick on polling day.
Kaipara District Council cancels climate policy
2 Oct 2023
Kaipara District Council has canned key climate work, with the decision to stop development of a climate change policy and cancel its emissions accounting contract.
E-scooters get another five years of regulation exemption
2 Oct 2023
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has extended the legal exemption for e-scooters as they say their contribution to the transport system outweighs the complaints about them.
Wildfire conditions could be worst for 25 years
29 Sep 2023
By Liz Kivi | A wildfire expert says that New Zealand could be heading for the worst wildfire conditions for 25 years this summer, with El Niño and climate change combining to bring dry spells, high temperatures and high winds.
Likely ETS auction failure will eat into stockpile
29 Sep 2023
The likely failure of the final ETS auction of the year in December would result in a significant chunk of the current stockpile evaporating.
Climate action could boost Auckland economy by $22 billion by 2050
29 Sep 2023
Decisive climate action could deliver $22 billion to Auckland’s regional economy by 2050, while lack of action could cost the region $800 million over the same period.
CO2 fund gobbling up its own product
28 Sep 2023
Salt Management's Carbon Fund spent more than $1.2 million buying units in its own fund over the last month.
We must change human behaviour to save ourselves - scientists
28 Sep 2023
A group of researchers, led by a Kiwi conservationist, want global recognition of a “Human Behavioural Crisis” as a step towards tackling ecological overshoot and its symptoms - such as climate change.
Differing visions for Climate Change Commission
27 Sep 2023
By Jeremy Rose | The Act Party wants it abolished, NZ First is calling for its head’s head, and Labour, the Greens and TOP want it given more powers.
Labour announces “climate manifesto”
26 Sep 2023
The Labour Party has released a “climate manifesto” promising to set separate targets for gross emissions and carbon removals, develop a voluntary carbon market framework, and limit exotic afforestation, if it wins the election next month.
Draft national hazard planning NPS released
26 Sep 2023
The Government is seeking feedback on a proposed National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-making.
Outgoing EECA boss on energy efficiency policy
25 Sep 2023
Despite the rapid expansion of the Government’s retrofitting housing for energy efficiency, there is still easily five years of work at the current pace to make a serious dent in improving New Zealand’s housing stock, says the outgoing head of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Andrew Caseley.
Bay of Plenty council and iwi partner to restore degraded wetland
25 Sep 2023
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council and iwi collective Te Wahapū o Waihī are partnering to restore a coastal wetland on the margins of the Waihī Estuary
Foresters say new ETS charges will discourage planting
22 Sep 2023
Foresters say that new charges for forestry in the ETS will penalise sustainable forestry and disincentivise planting when it is most needed.
Best by the rest...
22 Sep 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: National MP says “social obligation” rather than incentives will cut carbon; why Napier is our most climate-change-vulnerable city; and Toyota boss says political meddling won't drive down emissions.
Climate trumped by other election concerns in latest poll
21 Sep 2023
Multiple organisations have called for October’s general election to be a 'climate election', however climate is no longer one of the top five concerns for New Zealanders.
$10 million “sheep of the future” could emit less methane
21 Sep 2023
The government is putting $10.5 million towards breeding the “sheep of the future,” which will create fewer methane emissions as well as coping with hotter temperatures as summers heat up.
Green investment fund leads $170 million capital raise for solar
21 Sep 2023
New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) has led a $170 million capital raise attracting international investors to launch its solar finance programme.
NZ’s climate emissions at historic low
20 Sep 2023
New Zealand is set to announce its lowest emissions this century, Climate Change minister James Shaw told the Climate Change and Business Conference in Auckland yesterday.
Shining a light on the parties’ solar policies
20 Sep 2023
By Jeremy Rose | Labour and the Greens are both promising subsidies for rooftop solar, despite experts - including the Climate Change Commission chair - saying regulatory barriers and grid limitations are the main reasons households and businesses aren't taking advantage of the renewable energy going to waste on their roofs.
Farmers call for methane review based on flawed report, says expert
19 Sep 2023
The agriculture sector is calling for a review of New Zealand’s methane targets, citing a report suggesting Kiwi farmers are being asked to do more than their fair share in terms of reductions.
Regulations are failing our wetlands: Fish & Game
18 Sep 2023
Current regulations are not working to maintain existing wetland areas and are hindering the creation of new wetlands, Fish & Game New Zealand said.
Another day, another roadblock: how should NZ law deal with disruptive climate protests?
18 Sep 2023
By Alexander Gillespie | The most recent protest by the Restore Passenger Rail climate protest group, in which a Wellington car dealership was defaced with red paint, is not just the latest in a local movement – it’s part of a global trend.
Renewable electricity at record high
15 Sep 2023
Renewable electricity generation was at 91% for the June 2023 quarter - up 10% on the previous June.
Upcoming conferences focus on climate change and degrowth
15 Sep 2023
New Zealand's first degrowth conference is coming up this weekend in Wellington, with international and local speakers looking at the transition to a less energy-intensive future.
Best by the rest...
15 Sep 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: missing climate change targets will come at a cost; will NZ ad agencies drop their fossil fuel clients? and how to solve a problem like Napier.
ETS cap likely to flatline under ACT policy
14 Sep 2023
By Jeremy Rose | If Act’s policy of linking New Zealand’s carbon emission’s cap to the reductions of our five largest trading partners is adopted by the incoming government it would in theory see next year’s cap going up not down.
Govt and agribusiness invest $4 million in US tech hoping to cut cow methane
13 Sep 2023
A joint venture of major New Zealand agribusiness companies and the government has invested $4.1 million in a US start-up aiming to develop feed supplements to reduce methane emissions from cows.
NZ’s vital kelp forests are in peril from ocean warming – threatening the important species that rely on them
13 Sep 2023
By Christopher Cornwall and Wendy Nelson | Years of almost non-stop marine heatwaves are stressing New Zealand’s kelp forests. But as we show in our new research, ongoing ocean warming is only one of several threats to these unique and important coastal seaweed ecosystems.
Growth of EV sales stalls
12 Sep 2023
By Jeremy Rose | The number of new EVs sold in New Zealand dropped from a historic high of 8249 in the month of June to 4104 last month.
Commerce Commission issues 'please explain' to fuel companies over pricing
12 Sep 2023
The Commerce Commission is seeking an explanation from the major fuel companies about anomalies in retail fuel pricing over the first year of monitoring under the new Fuel Industry Act regulatory regime.
NZ needs new approach in the face of global inaction on climate
11 Sep 2023
New Zealand needs to work harder at building resilience and adaptation in the face of global failure to meet climate goals, according to an expert.
2023 Budget spending counter to climate goals - report
11 Sep 2023
The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research says NZ’s 2023 Budget spend is sabotaging climate goals, with unfavourable climate effects for 80% of new government spending.
NZ must improve how it puts together plans for emissions reductions: Environment Commissioner
8 Sep 2023
Make it coherent and have the Prime Minister take the lead: Those are two pieces of advice the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment wants the incoming government to take to heart when formulating plans to cut emissions.
ETS a ‘broken paradigm’ undercutting biodiversity efforts
Mon 25 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Pure Advantage is calling on the government to reform the Emissions Trading Scheme, with a new policy briefing saying that New Zealand’s offset-heavy approach is a “broken paradigm” undermining biodiversity and shifting risk to communities.
Profound shifts in our changing energy system – new data
Wed 27 Aug 2025
New Zealand’s energy system is undergoing a profound shift as falling gas production and a dry hydro year reshaped the electricity market in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Energy in New Zealand 2025.
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
Marginal drop in last year's regional emissions
Wed 27 Aug 2025
Regional greenhouse gas emissions were down slightly last year, with a fall in gas supply leading to a big drop in Taranaki, but more coal burnt leading to higher emissions in Waikato, according to new figures from Stats NZ
Fund for low emissions transport winds up
31 Jul 2025
New Zealand’s Low Emission Transport Fund has officially wrapped up, ending a nine-year programme that put hundreds of millions of dollars towards accelerating the country’s shift to cleaner transport.
Certainty crucial to emissions cuts – Watts
20 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that policy certainty is the Government’s primary lever for unlocking private capital and meeting climate targets, telling a carbon forestry conference that ETS settings are 'locked' through 2030.
Why climate strategy is now central to business success
Tue 26 Aug 2025
SPONSORED CONTENT: Ahead of next month’s Climate Change and Business Conference, New Zealand businesses are being urged to treat climate strategy not as a regulatory burden, but as a core driver of economic competitiveness.
