New Zealand: All stories
ETS revenue should be returned to the people: NZ Initiative
17 Dec 2021
The government is missing a chance to make the ETS progressive by not returning its revenues to ordinary New Zealanders in the form of a dividend, NZ Initiative economist Matt Burgess says.
Southern hemesphere's first electric ferry launched in Wellington
17 Dec 2021
The Southern Hemisphere's first electric ferry has been seen zipping across the waters of Te Whanganui-a-Tara for some time now . Yesterday it was officially launched.
$4.5 billion in projected ETS revenue committed to new climate emergency fund
16 Dec 2021
The government is committing the $4.5 billion it expects to earn from Emission Trading Scheme auctions over the next four years to a new Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Environmental tipping points rather than monetised risks should guide budgets: Upton
15 Dec 2021
Identifying environmental tipping points rather than the dollar costs of environmental inaction should guide future wellbeing budgets, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton.
Government to introduce biofuel mandate
15 Dec 2021
From April 2023 fuel wholesalers will be required to include a percentage of biofuels in the fuels they sell in an effort to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, the government announced today.
Avoiding the waste of Christmases past
14 Dec 2021
Household waste going to landfill will jump by 30% this festive season if New Zealanders don't take actions to avoid the waste of Christmases past, according to WasteMINZ.
Courts around the world have made strong climate rulings – not so in New Zealand
14 Dec 2021
University of Waikato associate professor of law Nathan Cooper says New Zealand courts are lagging behind their international counterparts in forcing stronger action on emission reductions.
400 hectare green park announced by Christchurch Airport
13 Dec 2021
A 220-hectare solar array capable of generating 150 megawatts of electricity is the centre-piece of a green park being built on Christchurch Airport's Harewood Campus.
Government takes steps to avoid Sauvignon Blanc emergency
13 Dec 2021
They've declared a climate emergency and now the government is taking steps to ensure we can continue to drink chilled Sauvignon Blanc in a warming world.
NZ's first 'green hydrogen' plant opened
10 Dec 2021
A Maori trust and a Japanese corporation have teamed up to open New Zealand's first 'green hydrogen' plant near Taupo.
Hydro generation up, coal down
10 Dec 2021
Renewables contributed 83.6% of New Zealand's electricity generation in the September quarter up from 77.4% last year.
How close are we to price parity between EVs and ICE vehicles?
10 Dec 2021
The price of the batteries that power electric vehicles has fallen by about 90 percent since 2010, a continuing trend that will soon make EVs less expensive than gasoline vehicles.
Climate change a threat to New Zealand sovereignty: secretary of defence
9 Dec 2021
The challenges of climate change are increasing and unchecked pose a threat to New Zealand’s sovereignty, secretary of defence Andrew Bridgeman says in his forward to the just released He Moana Pukepuke E Ekengia E Te Waka – Defence Assessment 2021.
Unanimous support for sending Auckland climate tax proposal to consultation
9 Dec 2021
Auckland city councillors have voted unanimously to have the proposed Climate Action Targeted Rate go out for consultation as part of the annual budget process due to begin in late February.
On a wing and a prayer: Air NZ’s net zero plan
8 Dec 2021
By Jeremy Rose: Covid-19 has shown that it's possible to dramatically slash the carbon emissions of airlines by simply flying less but reducing the amount we travel by air isn’t among the options floated in Air New Zealand’s just released Sustainability Report.
Bluegreens co-chair Scott Simpson returns to climate change role
7 Dec 2021
Scott Simpson, the co-chair of the National Party’s Bluegreen advisory group, is back as the party's climate change spokesperson following the reshuffle by new leader Christopher Luxon.
Law changed to avoid public carrying the cost of oil and gas field clean-ups
6 Dec 2021
The Crown Minerals Act has been amended to avoid the public being left with the bill for the decommissioning of oil and gas fields.
Government incentives for green bonds may be necessary: Reserve Bank
3 Dec 2021
The Reserve Bank has suggested incentives such as tax breaks may be necessary to grow New Zealand’s green bond market at the pace required to combat climate change.
NZ ETS Look-Up tables should be altered to include planted native forests: Pure Advantage
3 Dec 2021
New research by environmental group Pure Advantage shows that the difference in carbon sequestration rates of pine and planted native forests is much less than previously thought.
Auckland leading the charge for city carbon taxes
2 Dec 2021
If Auckland Council adopts a proposal by mayor Phil Goff for a "Climate Action Targeted Rate" it will become one of the first cities in the world with a carbon tax.
ETS auction clears at $68
1 Dec 2021
THE final NZ ETS auction of the year cleared at a price of $68 today.
Luxon's climate change credentials
1 Dec 2021
The new leader of the National Party, Christopher Luxon, touted his climate change credentials in his maiden speech.
New book tells 1,001 firsthand stories of climate change from around the world
1 Dec 2021
‘1,001 Voices on Climate Change’ aims to humanize the issue and inspire action
Where to now for the price of carbon?
30 Nov 2021
In contrast to some offshore markets where carbon prices have surged to all time highs following COP26, in New Zealand they’ve plateaued at around $65.
James Shaw's response to Newsweek article
30 Nov 2021
Climate change minister James Shaw has responded to a Newsweek ranking that placed New Zealand 16th on a list of the 20 least ambitious countries in tackling the climate crises.
Experts, activists say health equity needs more emphasis in fight against climate change
30 Nov 2021
Nearly three decades after the world first came together to address climate change, its impact on human health was a focus of talks this month in Glasgow, Scotland.
Tightening NZU supply one of the strongest options for cutting emissions: Cabinet paper
29 Nov 2021
“A clearly-signalled and well-paced tightening” of the supply of NZUs is one of the strongest options available for cutting New Zealand’s emissions, according to a recently released Cabinet paper.
Newsweek ranks New Zealand among the 20 least ambitious countries on climate
29 Nov 2021
New Zealand has been ranked 16th worst – one place above Saudi Arabia – in a list of the 20 least ambitious countries on climate published by Newsweek yesterday.
Offsetting agricultural emissions through reforestation would cost Australian farmers 15% of farm profit
29 Nov 2021
Offsetting agricultural emissions through reforestation would cost 15% of farm profits, new research suggests.
The clean energy transitions enters hyperdrive
29 Nov 2021
After decades in which governments and industry groups have often assumed that the shift to renewable energy will be a financial burden, economists and analysts are increasingly making a case that the opposite is true: The transition will lead to cost-savings on a massive scale that will add to its momentum.
To win the new climate war, we need a new strategy: book review
29 Nov 2021
The well-known US climatologist Michael E. Mann is no pussyfooter. He likes to provoke, which makes his new book downright entertaining.
MBIE seeks feedback on making the display of clean vehicle information compulsory
26 Nov 2021
A consultation document outlining four options for how Clean Vehicle information should be displayed to consumers was released by The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) yesterday.
Housing group takes out top prize at Sustainable Business Awards
26 Nov 2021
Community Finance – a collaboration between philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, community housing provides and the Ministry for Housing – received the supreme award at the Sustainable Business Awards last night.
More ambition needed: green business leaders
25 Nov 2021
The Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition say urgent action is required to convert the country’s climate ambition to concrete action.
He Waka Eke Noa proposals will cut emissions by just 1%
24 Nov 2021
He Waka Eke Noa - a group of agriculture sector groups tasked with coming up with a plan to cut emissions – has released a draft discussion document that floats two possible pricing mechanisms that it admits would cut emissions by just 1%.
Government told to reform ETS to incentivise natives over pines
24 Nov 2021
A coalition of environmental groups and high-profile environmentalists is calling on the government to reform the Emissions Trading Scheme to prioritise the planting of native forests.
New Zealand’s climate change regulation is messy and complex – here’s how to improve it
24 Nov 2021
Waikato University associate professor of law Nathan Cooper says the Emissions Reduction Plan provides the perfect opportunity to align New Zealand's national and international climate targets.
Corporate net zero targets: Greenwashing or genuine climate action?
24 Nov 2021
From Big Oil to Big Tech, major companies are promising to go net zero and wash away their carbon sins. But critics say the corporate climate pledges are a smokescreen.
Closure of Marsden Point a disaster on every level: Social Credit
23 Nov 2021
The closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery is a disaster on every level and a missed opportunity to create a green energy hub, according to Social Credit leader Chris Leitch.
Forest & Bird takes aim at government’s climate policies
22 Nov 2021
Forest & Bird has launched a billboard campaign taking aim at the government’s track record on climate change and the environment.
Every battery is a treasure box
22 Nov 2021
Each wooden box is as big as a grand piano. Employees in gray T-shirts open the strong hinges, remove safety foils and loosen the fixings. Now they can lift the heavy battery system out with a crane and carefully maneuver it onto the forklift.
FMA sets a high bar for initial enforcement of climate related disclosures
19 Nov 2021
The Financial Market Authority says only acts of serious misconduct by climate reporting entities (CREs) are likely to result in enforcement in the initial stages of implementing the Climate Related Disclosures Bill.
Tipping point for Antarctic ice sheet may have been reached
19 Nov 2021
A new study published in Nature Communications adds to the growing body of evidence that recent ice loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet may signal the beginning of a prolonged period of ice sheet retreat and substantial global sea level rise.
Aussie biodiversity market a step closer
19 Nov 2021
Plans to pay farmers for the biodiversity benefits they deliver have progressed today with the Australian Government kicking off the legislation process.
Growing calls for fully subsidised public transport
18 Nov 2021
The Helen Clark Foundation has thrown its weight behind calls to make public transport free to young people and Community Service Card holders, in a discussion document released today.
$1 million in innovation funding up for grabs
17 Nov 2021
The Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund has announced a $1 million funding pool to drive innovation around financing and incentivising the decarbonisation of Aotearoa.
NZGIF pumps $40 million into solar
16 Nov 2021
The government-owned New Zealand Green Investment Finance bank is investing up to $40 million in commercial-scale solar installations.
Wellington makes list of top 7 most climate resilient cities
16 Nov 2021
Wellington has been ranked among the top seven cities in the world for climate resilience by Fodor's Travel.
Timber and pozzolans could slash construction emissions
12 Nov 2021
THE New Zealand Infrastructure Commission says the government should consider incentives to encourage the use of pozzolans – which include pumice – in concrete in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Emissions up by 4.8% in June quarter
11 Nov 2021
An increase in the use of coal fired electricity is largely responsible for emissions in the electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry hitting an all time high in the June quarter.
Govt promises ‘earlier action’ in response to Commission’s warning climate targets at risk
Fri 17 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government says it will “explore opportunities for earlier action” ahead of the third Emissions Reduction Plan, and has committed to looking at ways to stop the system of free carbon credits for industrial polluters from disincentivising industrial decarbonisation.
Transpower tracks more than 100 new grid projects
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Transpower’s latest connection data show more than 100 generation, storage and load projects in its pipeline, reflecting the rapid pace of electrification across the country.
All carrot, no stick for farmers on methane
Fri 17 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | COMMENT: The abandonment of methane emissions pricing and the adoption of a weaker target is effectively the last nail in the coffin of the historic cross-parliamentary consensus embedded in the Zero Carbon Act 2019.
Govt releases updated emissions projections
13 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Ministry for the Environment has released updated emissions projections to 2050, which show significant differences to the Climate Change Commission's recent projections for the same period.
Air NZ inks deal for its first internationally verified carbon credits
9 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Air New Zealand has committed to buying 8000 tonnes of carbon removals by 2030, in partnership with local native forest investment platform My Native Forest.
Emails show forestry lobby fought Gisborne crackdown as slash clean-up drags on
26 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Sustainable land use advocates are accusing Eastland Wood Council of stonewalling efforts to tighten forestry rules, after correspondence between the group and the local council was released under the Official Information Act.
Climate credibility gap widening for Aussie firms
1 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Australian public companies’ climate change commitments are in retreat, reflecting difficulty in achieving stated targets and increased fossil use, but not because of any pressure to make less effort, according to a study of major companies’ ESG reporting.
