New Zealand: All stories
UN’s biodiversity conference equal parts inspiring and infuriating
6 Nov 2024
COMMENT: New Zealand’s Indigenous Peoples were underrepresented at the global biodiversity summit, writes Manu Caddie.
Electricity sector risks from climate change: analysis
6 Nov 2024
A review of the electricity sector's mandatory climate disclosures by Forsyth Barr has not changed the analysts’ investment views of the companies.
Biodiversity summit makes some breakthroughs but fails to progress finance
5 Nov 2024
COMMENT: The UN’s biodiversity summit ended in a race against the clock at the weekend, writes David Hall, who was at the conference representing Aotearoa start-up the Toha Network.
Solar’s rising shine in NZ
5 Nov 2024
Household solar and battery storage is expanding rapidly, according to Transpower.
Companies face 'significant' litigation risk over inaccurate emissions reporting
4 Nov 2024
Companies in the industrial sector are risking court action if they don't accurately report indirect emissions from their value chain, with the sector becoming an increasing target for litigation, according to new analysis.
Channel looks to energy centre - pushes out peak petrol prediction
4 Nov 2024
Channel Infrastructure has outlined ambitious plans for an energy precinct on its Marsden Point land using its infrastructure and assets to entice in other energy project developers.
Are Air New Zealand's biofuel hopes just pie in the sky?
1 Nov 2024
By Liz Kivi | Air New Zealand and LanzaJet say a study shows promising results for turning wood waste into jet fuel. However, experts say that making jet fuel from wood at an industrial scale is challenging and extremely unlikely to result in near-term emissions reductions.
Media round-up
1 Nov 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Prime minister Christopher Luxon defends the coalition government's record on climate change; Fonterra reports higher emissions from NZ than Australian dairy; and is the government inching towards buying international climate mitigation?
Govt should expect scrutiny over international climate targets
31 Oct 2024
The government should expect international scrutiny over progress towards its climate pledge, according to its own advisors.
Carbon credits essential part of decarbonisation toolkit: new report
31 Oct 2024
Carbon credits remain at the heart of global efforts to limit dangerous climate change, with prices predicted to rise towards US$125 by 2035, according to new analysis.
Auckland Council opens consultation on environmental protection plan
31 Oct 2024
Aucklanders have been asked for their feedback on Auckland Council’s Let’s protect our environment consultation.
Canterbury locks in more emissions with new diesel ferry
30 Oct 2024
While Wellington and Auckland are cutting carbon with moves to electrify their ferries, Environment Canterbury has locked in at least eight more years of emissions with a brand-new diesel vessel for its only passenger ferry service.
Kiwi youth present climate action statement to politicians ahead of COP29
30 Oct 2024
Youth ambassadors from child rights organisation Save the Children have presented a statement of key climate action asks to politicians ahead of the UN international climate meeting COP29.
Sustainability reporting guide launched for SMEs
30 Oct 2024
The Centre for Sustainable Finance: Toitū Tahua has launched a new sustainability guide to support New Zealand’s small and medium sized businesses with sustainability reporting.
Air New Zealand puts $1 million into biodiversity impact investment pilot
29 Oct 2024
Air New Zealand is the first corporate funder in a pilot project to support nature-positive action, which it hopes will lead to a future biodiversity market in Aotearoa.
Govt to invest $20 million for Pacific disaster and climate resilience
29 Oct 2024
New Zealand will contribute $20 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
Upcoming auction pivotal for carbon market
29 Oct 2024
With the final carbon auction of the year less than six weeks away, experts are watching keenly to see if any carbon units are likely to enter the market at auction.
RMA reform structure ‘teasers’ revealed
29 Oct 2024
A Cabinet paper on replacing the Resource Management Act offers a “glimmer of hope” for environmentalists, says Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor.
Significant emissions from Waikato wetlands fire
25 Oct 2024
By Shannon Williams | Up to 180,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases may have been released into the atmosphere following a fire at Whangamarino wetlands in the Waikato.
Offshore wind energy company pulls out of NZ
25 Oct 2024
Spanish offshore wind energy company Bluefloat has announced it is pulling out of its New Zealand projects, citing the potential clash with seabed mining off Taranaki.
Media round-up
25 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: The government's long-awaited farm-to-forest conversion policy is sent back to the drawing board; how New Zealand is outsourcing the risks of AI; and Winston Peters says climate will be a top priority at this year’s CHOGM.
Environmental management failing to hold the line - Upton
24 Oct 2024
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is not confident New Zealand’s efforts are making a difference to environmental quality.
NZ gets top ranking on sustainable trade index
24 Oct 2024
By Nick Swallow | COMMENT: New Zealand has again ranked number one on the 2024 Hinrich Sustainable Trade Index.
Seaweed can reduce emissions from cattle by 95% - new study
24 Oct 2024
A new study has found that using whole Asparagopsis seaweed as a cattle feed additive is significantly more effective at reducing methane emissions than using the plant’s primary active compound on its own.
Government consulting on ETS charges for forestry
23 Oct 2024
The government is proposing setting an annual per hectare charge for forestry in the ETS at $14.90 - about half the price set by the previous government, but still a significant increase on what foresters formerly paid.
Total emissions up 1.1 percent in June quarter
23 Oct 2024
Increase in the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation was the main driver behind a rise in total GHG emissions for the June quarter, according to Stats NZ.
Auckland remains off track to meet climate target
22 Oct 2024
Auckland Council remains off track to reach its own climate targets, according to a new progress report, which shows emissions are rising rather tracking down to zero by 2050.
Slight increase in EV sales - but uptake lagging behind other countries
22 Oct 2024
Electric vehicle sales staged a modest revival along with a mild increase in overall vehicle sales, according to an analysis by Forsyth Barr.
Environment Committee reports back on fast-track bill
21 Oct 2024
The Environment Select Committee has reported back to Parliament on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with critics saying it has largely ignored submissions.
Govt policy statement urges Electricity Authority to keep up the pace
21 Oct 2024
The Government policy statement sent to the Electricity Authority puts an emphasis on implementing its past and current work programme as quickly as possible, while maintaining the market fundamentals.
Urgent calls for action at biodiversity summit undermined by poor govt decisions
18 Oct 2024
By Manu Caddie | COMMENT: As I arrive in Colombia for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, COP16, I am struck by the glaring contradictions between New Zealand's international commitments and its domestic policies.
Hawke’s Bay dam project sparks protest
18 Oct 2024
By Linda Hall, Local Democracy Reporting | It was standing room only at a Central Hawke’s Bay Council meeting on Thursday as the revival of a new version of the Ruataniwha dam made its way to a council chamber once again.
Reserve Bank releases first climate-related disclosure
18 Oct 2024
The Reserve Bank has released its first voluntary climate-related disclosure for the 2023/24 financial year.
Media round-up
18 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: The government will consider emissions from buildings in its climate plan; cruise ship passengers receive a cool reception from protesters; and a top climate scientist says damaging storms such as Cyclone Gabrielle might not become more frequent - but they will be more intense.
Govt finances still don’t recognise climate liability
17 Oct 2024
Treasury has failed to recognise a liability for New Zealand’s international climate commitments in its latest financial statement, with its position unchanged on the multibillion dollar price tag of purchasing offshore mitigation.
Foresters welcome reference group - but questions remain around ETS charges
17 Oct 2024
Foresters have welcomed the plan for a new Reference Group for the sector, but say the government shouldn’t risk undermining afforestation by overcharging foresters participating in the ETS.
Massive emissions from 2022 wetland fires
17 Oct 2024
More than 600,000 tonnes of carbon were lost to the atmosphere in recent fires at two of New Zealand’s most important wetlands, according to a new report.
Bringing tiny forests to urban marae
17 Oct 2024
Three community groups are creating a Ngahere Korowai – precious cloak forest – on the whenua of the Wainuiomata Marae in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai, Lower Hutt.
Emails reveal BP gave $550,000 to group fighting climate lawsuits
17 Oct 2024
The Manufacturer’s Accountability Project is ubiquitous fighting cities’ and states’ suits against oil companies. Now it’s clear it’s being funded directly by at least one of those companies.
Weather events 'wakeup call' – The Warehouse outlines climate targets
16 Oct 2024
The Warehouse Group says the last couple of years have been a wake-up call when it comes to climate change.
Insurers call for urgent action on climate adaptation
15 Oct 2024
New insurance data has highlighted the urgent need for climate adaptation and risk reduction in the face of increasingly unstable weather patterns.
Outcry over fishing amendment in govt's Hauraki Gulf bill
15 Oct 2024
The government's decision to allow commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf threatens to set back protection and restoration efforts by decades, critics say.
Lakes refill but concerns remain about next winter
15 Oct 2024
Lake Pūkaki returned to its long-term average storage level for the first time since May.
Far North’s cyclone damaged properties in line for buyout and relocation
15 Oct 2024
By Susan Botting, Local Democracy Reporter Northland | Twenty-five severe weather-hit Far North residential properties are in the spotlight for potential buyout and relocation.
Legal action filed against minister of transport over Clean Car Standard
14 Oct 2024
The Better New Zealand Trust, with the support of Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc, is taking the Government to court over what it says is an unlawful decision to weaken the Clean Car Standard.
NZ must work with other countries to reach climate goals: new research
14 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | Aotearoa’s international climate targets can only be met through funding significant emissions reductions in other countries. But a lack of public support to spend this money overseas is paralysing New Zealand’s progress towards its goal, according to researchers.
Auckland election for community trust controlling Vector
14 Oct 2024
There's a power struggle on in Auckland over control of community trust that owns more than 75% of Vector, with a new group saying it wants to accelerate renewables.
Kindergarten teachers bring numbers to climate change event
14 Oct 2024
Kaitiaki Kindergartens and Climate Club Aotearoa joined forces to deliver New Zealand’s biggest ever ‘Climate Fresk’ event last week, with about 70 kindergarten teachers taking part.
Minister to co-chair carbon market negotiations at COP29
11 Oct 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts will chair negotiations on carbon markets at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Azerbaijan next month.
Transpower backtracks on selling gas and carbon trading platform
11 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | Transpower has decided not to sell its gas and carbon trading platform, emsTradepoint, this year. However, the future of carbon trading on the platform is uncertain.
Green's anti-mining bill drawn from ballot
11 Apr 2025
The Green Party's Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill has been drawn from the ballot and will be debated in Parliament.
Winter’s tale of electricity market woes
17 Apr 2025
A study of last winter’s events in the electricity market has confirmed that the major players suffered from high prices, and there was little or no indication of them gaming the market with their wholesale pricing.
Fonterra linked to illegal deforestation, claims Greenpeace
5 Mar 2025
Dairy giant Fonterra's supply chain is linked with illegal deforestation, according to Greenpeace Aotearoa, after New Zealand's major importers of palm kernel have been found to be illegally operating palm plantations in Indonesia.
NZ's emissions fell 2% in 2023 - latest GHG inventory
15 Apr 2025
Aotearoa New Zealand’s gross greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 2% in 2023, according to the latest greenhouse gas inventory.
Govt announces plan for EV chargers
Mon 28 Apr 2025
The government has opted for a model based on the ultra-fast broadband rollout to boost electric vehicle charger numbers.
Commissioner calls for urgent reform of carbon forestry in ETS
10 Apr 2025
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is calling on the Government to remove forestry from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, warning that the country’s flagship climate policy is entrenching risky land use decisions and undermining long-term emissions reductions.
Govt needs to look at alternatives to free pollution credits for industrial emitters: Commission
11 Apr 2025
The Climate Change Commission says there are “legitimate questions” about hundreds of millions of public money spent on free carbon credits for polluters, and the government should be looking at alternatives.
