New Zealand: All stories
Methane emissions reach new highs despite pandemic—four times more sensitive to climate change than first thought
7 Jul 2022
Eliminating emissions of CO₂ is high up the environmental agenda—but the world should not lose sight of the threat from methane. There has been a disturbing recent surge in atmospheric methane, which is more than 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas over the course of a century than CO₂.
Minister defends government's preferred light rail option for Wellington
6 Jul 2022
Transport minister Michael Wood says an Infrastructure Commission review of the government’s preferred rapid transport plan for Wellington, which found it “fundamentally counter-productive” to achieving carbon reduction targets, fails to take account of emission reductions resulting from densification.
ECAN wants exotics removed from ETS permanent settings
6 Jul 2022
A Banks Peninsula case study has convinced Canterbury’s regional council that removing exotics from the permanent settings of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the right move.
Should government put the brakes on fuel tax cuts?
5 Jul 2022
The government isn’t ruling out further fuel tax cuts, but experts say policy makers should be looking at a targeted approach to inflation rather than continue with a “knee-jerk response” to rising fuel prices.
Restoring nature is not a silver bullet for global warming, we must cut emissions outright
5 Jul 2022
Restoring degraded environments, such as by planting trees, is often touted as a solution to the climate crisis. But our new research shows this, while important, is no substitute for preventing fossil fuel emissions to limit global warming.
Coal mine out of business due to high environmental costs
4 Jul 2022
A recent regional council decision to refuse consents for Bathurst Coal’s Canterbury mining operation could signal that environmental regulations are increasing the cost of coal to the point where it’s no longer economic.
Is coal driving wholesale power prices?
4 Jul 2022
By Ian Llewellyn - Energy & Environment | It appears that international coal prices are one of the main drivers behind currently higher than average wholesale spot and futures power prices.
How AI can have a positive and negative impact on climate: study
4 Jul 2022
A study published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change sought to understand the potential impact of artificial intelligence on climate change.
Technofixes are the elite's attempt to sidestep blame for the climate crisis
4 Jul 2022
Science has a resistance to ill-founded assertions embedded deep in its bones. Carl Sagan called this “baloney detection.” But in the face of climate change, arguably our largest science-related crisis, these baloney detection capabilities haven’t kept our leaders honest.
NZ exporters could face European tariffs if NZ misses Paris commitments
1 Jul 2022
The European NZ free trade deal announced yesterday binds the signatories to meeting their Paris commitments and allows for tariffs to be imposed should they fail to do so.
Councils take aim at climate crisis
1 Jul 2022
More local authorities are taking aim at the climate crisis, with Queenstown Lakes District Council and Hamilton City Council both adopting climate policies yesterday.
CarbonCrop to renew trading next week
1 Jul 2022
The on-again-off-again trading of Native CarbonCrop units (CCUs) will be on again next week.
Best by the rest…
1 Jul 2022
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in the local media: questions about new carbon offsets; wrestling with methane metrics; and He Waka Eke Noa’s programme director argues Kiwi innovation will be key to reducing emissions.
The benefits of growing brocolli beneath solar panels
1 Jul 2022
Despite being “yucky” according to some picky eaters, broccoli is well-suited to grow alongside solar panels, according to a new study.
110km speed limit on Waikato Expressway predicted to increase C02 emissions by nearly 38,000 tonnes
30 Jun 2022
Waka Kotahi modelling predicts the decision to allow drivers to travel at 110km/h on the Waikato Expressway will result in 37,903 tonnes of emissions between 2031 and 2041.
Trading paused on new voluntary carbon market platform after a single day
30 Jun 2022
Carbonnz - a voluntary carbon credit trading platform launched on Tuesday - has temporarily paused trading.
Mindful Money Ethical and Impact Investment awards winners announced
30 Jun 2022
Pathfinder Asset Managment has scooped the top prize at the Mindful Money Ethical and Impact awards for the second year running.
Climate impact of food-miles up to 7 times higher than previously thought: study
30 Jun 2022
Fresh research suggests transport accounts for one-fifth of total food-system emissions, with fresh fruit and vegetables amongst the most carbon-intensive.
Climate change puts another nail in quarter acre pavlova paradise’s coffin
29 Jun 2022
It’s been a long time coming but the climate emergency is finally beginning to reshape the future of our cities. This morning’s announcement that the government is throwing its support behind light rail from the Wellington railway station to Island Bay is driven by a vision of a much higher density city where the motorcar takes a back seat to public transport, cycling and walking.
Pandemic slashes NZTE’s carbon emissions by nearly 70%
29 Jun 2022
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s first sustainability report shows the pandemic slashed a whopping 68.8% from the government agency’s carbon emissions.
Tropical cyclones now ‘13% less frequent’ due to climate change
29 Jun 2022
Tropical cyclones are complex phenomena, which only form under specific atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Research suggests that, as the climate warms, changing conditions are making tropical cyclones less frequent. However, a lack of long-term cyclone data makes this trend difficult to quantify.
Seaweed startup raises $7 million to reduce ruminant methane emissions
29 Jun 2022
US startup Symbrosia* has raised $7 million in new funding as it makes progress on its seaweed feed additive that reduces methane emissions from livestock.
New voluntary carbon unit will incentivise landowners to preserve regenerating native bush
28 Jun 2022
A new voluntary carbon unit, launched today, will incentivise landowners to protect areas of regenerating native bush currently ineligible for NZUs under the ETS.
NZ not doing enough to prevent deaths from extreme weather worsened by climate change
28 Jun 2022
Negative health consequences from extreme weather in New Zealand could increase because of climate change and the country needs to do more to prevent and manage these threats, researchers say.
Sustainable Business Network launches new carbon emissions calculator
28 Jun 2022
The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is launching a new carbon emissions calculator tomorrow to make it easier for businesses to measure and reduce emissions.
Climate change affecting children even before birth
28 Jun 2022
Climate change affects everyone, but studies have shown infants and children to be most vulnerable.
Report recommends rail upgrades resulting in up to 1.6 million tonnes of avoided CO2 emissions
27 Jun 2022
The Wellington Regional Council has released a report that recommends replacing the diesel locomotives currently used on the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines with tri mode trains that emit eight times less emissions.
The Government’s gas conundrum
27 Jun 2022
By Ian Llewellyn - Energy & Environment | The problem of how to phase out natural gas use and not cause energy security problems and inflict billions of dollars in costs is highlighted in a Cabinet paper starting work on a Gas Transition Plan.
MicroCar e-volution: The microcars already on our roads
23 Jun 2022
By Jeremy Rose | The Fiat 500 – better known in New Zealand as the Bambina - weighed in at just under 500 kilos but it was its 500cc engine that gave its name.
Greenpeace, Green Party call for stronger action on deforestation imports
23 Jun 2022
Greenpeace says a bill aimed at preventing unsustainable timber imports will do little to save the world’s rainforests or end human rights abuses.
Best by the rest...
23 Jun 2022
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in the local media: New Zealand’s offshore energy revolution; climate policy’s winners and losers; and how climate change is putting marae at risk.
Economists assume the desire for wealth is insatiable. What if they’re wrong?
23 Jun 2022
The majority of people surveyed in 33 countries around the world say their lifestyle dreams could be fulfilled with a finite—and often relatively modest—amount of money. The findings call into question a founding principle of economics, and suggest unexpected opportunities for achieving sustainable societies.
Transport-related GHG emissions cost society $1.68 billion a year
22 Jun 2022
By Liz Kivi | Transport-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are costing society $1.68 billion a year, according to a recent report commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
How climate change is knocking natural events wildly out of sync
22 Jun 2022
Climate change is throwing off the timing of key events in the natural world, from the flowering of plants to the migrations of birds and mammals. Now, ecologists are warning that this could spiral out of control and cause whole ecosystems to break down.
Emissions from agriculture threatens health and climate: US study
22 Jun 2022
A new US study analyses the cost of reactive nitrogen emissions from fertilized agriculture and their risks to populations and climate.
What 18 independent studies all concluded about the use of hydrogen for heating
22 Jun 2022
A total of 18 independent studies produced since 2019 — including by the IPCC, IEA and McKinsey — have ruled out hydrogen playing a major role in the heating of buildings, according to a list compiled by renowned energy expert Jan Rosenow.
Parliamentary questions often a let down
21 Jun 2022
There is a climate crisis, but deflating people’s tyres is not okay, that in a nutshell was climate change minister James Shaw’s response to a written question from ACT’s climate change spokesperson Simon Court.
A new Pacific Reset? Why NZ must prioritise climate change and labour mobility
21 Jun 2022
By Robert Scollay - The Conversation | The frequent use of the term “shared values” to describe developments in the Pacific tends to obscure a distinct shift in New Zealand and Australian relations with their Pacific partners over the past two decades.
‘Food miles’ have larger climate impact than thought, study suggests
21 Jun 2022
Global “food miles” emissions are higher than previously thought – accounting for nearly one-fifth of total food-system emissions – new research suggests.
Could space bubbles fight climate change?
21 Jun 2022
Architect Carlo Ratti is among a group of MIT researchers exploring the feasibility of fighting climate change with a conglomeration of "space bubbles" that would float above the Earth to reflect the sun's rays.
Methane emissions throughout supply chain underestimated: study
21 Jun 2022
Researchers at the Imperial College London have discovered that biogas and biomethane leak up to twice as much methane as previously thought, despite being more climate-friendly.
Cabinet reshuffle and the conservation challenge
20 Jun 2022
By Ian Llewellyn - Energy & Environment | The major change for the energy and environment sector in Jacinda Ardern’s Cabinet reshuffle was the ‘demotion’ of Poto Williams from the police portfolio to conservation.
MicroCar E-volution: Citroen Ami punches above it weight
17 Jun 2022
By Gregor Thompson | When the Citroën Ami first hit Parisian streets in the middle of the pandemic, it provoked some intrigue, maybe even the odd insult. It is true, the little bluish-grey plastic electric vehicle does have a peculiar aesthetic. For one, the front and back panels of the car were made identical to cut costs - only differentiable by the colours of the brake and headlights.
Best by the rest...
17 Jun 2022
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in the local media: The leaky logic of the farming sector's climate plan; analysis of how effective government policies will be at slashing carbon; and can governments boost defence spending while cutting emissions at the same time?
This enzyme-coated cotton offers a low-tech way to capture CO2
17 Jun 2022
Long met with skepticism, the idea of capturing carbon dioxide from air and from industrial smokestacks is now accepted as necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Capturing carbon at low cost on a large scale will require innovative solutions.
Mapping carbon reserves to fight climate change
16 Jun 2022
Carbon storage capacity in forests across the globe is only at 88% of its potential, according to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), which sets out to help prioritize locations for increasing reserves.
ETS auction clears at $76.00
15 Jun 2022
THE second NZ ETS auction of the year cleared at a price of $76 today.
South Taranaki offshore wind a step closer
15 Jun 2022
Offshore wind power is a step closer for South Taranaki, with the NZ Super Fund and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) preparing to take wind measurements.
Aussie banks discount loans for EVs, but Kiwis still pay full price
14 Jun 2022
By Liz Kivi | Westpac Australia has announced discounted loans for electric vehicles (EVs), however its New Zealand subsidiary has no immediate plans to follow suit.
Tomorrow’s carbon auction expected to empty the Cost Containment Reserve
14 Jun 2022
With the spot price of carbon trading more than $6 above the Cost Containment Reserve’s $70 trigger price the remaining 1.306 million NZUs in the CCR are expected to be snapped up at tomorrow’s ETS auction.
Green Party calls for national electrification plan
Mon 20 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Green Party is calling for a national plan to electrify homes, transport and industry using renewable energy, to reduce fossil fuel dependence in response to the Middle East crisis.
Going concern status flags depth of Methanex NZ's gas crisis
Tue 21 Apr 2026
Methanex's New Zealand operation is relying on financial support from its Canadian parent to remain a going concern after a second consecutive year of asset impairments left the business with negative equity.
Fonterra admits ‘100% grass-fed’ claim breached law in greenwashing row
2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has admitted its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” claims on Anchor butter were misleading and breached the law, settling a case brought by Greenpeace Aotearoa over packaging used between December 2023 and April 2025.
Climate pollution static but NZ still on track for first emissions budget, says MfE
Fri 17 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is still on track to meet its first emissions budget, according to the Ministry for the Environment, despite the pace of emissions reductions slowing to a standstill.
NZ’s latest push to roll out more EV chargers is a good thing – but can it go the distance?
14 Apr 2026
A $50 million plan to expand New Zealand’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network marks another step toward a lower-emissions transport system.
Wilding conifers continue to plague Southland
Fri 17 Apr 2026
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter | Fast-spreading conifer trees are causing headaches in Southland as inconsistent funding continues to hinder control efforts.
Businesses look for ways to cut costs in response to oil shock
1 Apr 2026
New Zealand’s small and medium-sized businesses are looking for ways to ease the pressure as global tensions see rising fossil fuel prices and diminishing supply, with decision-makers mulling measures including work-from-home polices and transport or logistics changes.
