New Zealand: All stories
Climate change, 1990s style. What have we learned?
20 Dec 2024
By Robert McLachlan | COMMENT: In 1992 Statistics NZ called cars one of the biggest threats to the global environment. Thirty two years later New Zealand still has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world.
NZ submits first Paris Agreement progress report
19 Dec 2024
New Zealand has submitted its first report to the UN on how the country is tracking towards its international climate target to 2030 under the Paris Agreement.
Siloed thinking hindering solutions to climate, health, and food crises – report
19 Dec 2024
'Siloed thinking' is holding back solutions to biodiversity, human health, climate change, water, and food security, according to a new report.
NZ’s government may ask the public to underwrite the risk of fossil fuel exploration – this could be unlawful
19 Dec 2024
By Nathan Cooper, University of Waikato | After reversing the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration permits, New Zealand’s coalition government is now considering whether to share the risks of exploration with the fossil fuel industry.
Govt confirms new ETS forestry fees
18 Dec 2024
The Government has confirmed new fees for forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme, which will start from January 2025.
Fast-track bill passes third reading
18 Dec 2024
Yesterday saw a flurry of pre-Christmas lawmaking in Parliament that could have far-reaching impacts for climate and environment, with the controversial fast-track bill set to become law, as well as bills on offshore renewable energy and gene technology being read for the first time.
DOC in hot water over marine species protection
18 Dec 2024
The High Court has found the Department of Conservation has acted unlawfully for decades by failing to implement its own legislation to protect threatened marine species.
Fast-track law makes chaotic progress
17 Dec 2024
The Fast-Track Approvals Bill made somewhat chaotic progress towards becoming law last week after a committee stage dominated by many amendments and a furious procedural debate.
Hydrogen plan won’t reduce emissions: expert
16 Dec 2024
The government is using its new hydrogen action plan as an opportunity to weaken regulations that are “inconvenient” to the fossil fuel industry, according to an energy transition expert.
Govt to shake up climate-related disclosures regime
16 Dec 2024
The Government is proposing a raft of changes to New Zealand’s capital markets regime, including exploring changes to the climate-related disclosures regime and KiwiSaver settings.
Govt's choice of climate leadership criticised as ‘Trumpian’
13 Dec 2024
New climate-related appointments have been met with a mixed reaction from policy experts, with one predicting the appointments signal the government will eventually disestablish the Climate Change Commission.
NZGIF chair quits following SolarZero collapse
13 Dec 2024
NZ Green Investment Finance chair Cecilia Tarrant has resigned in the wake of the SolarZero debacle.
Australia vs NZ: How do climate disclosure regimes stack up?
13 Dec 2024
Australia’s mandatory climate reporting framework goes much further in scope than New Zealand’s equivalent disclosure requirements, according to a new report.
Media round-up
13 Dec 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Former Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr says we can either get on with the low-carbon transition “or be overwhelmed by it," Fonterra dumps coal in bid to slash emissions, and the Greens try to rev up the climate debate.
Govt ferry plan puts climate change commitments at risk
12 Dec 2024
Opposition parties are among a chorus of voices criticising the government’s 'omnishambles' ferry announcement, saying it has created further uncertainty while setting the country up for more carbon emissions.
Cuts to science funding will hurt climate response
12 Dec 2024
Scientists and academics have slammed the government’s “horrifying” decision to cut humanities and social science funding, with some saying it will hinder the country’s ability to combat climate change.
University of Auckland leads sustainability rankings
12 Dec 2024
Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland has been ranked in the top one percent of universities worldwide for sustainability.
Second emissions reduction plan still off-track
11 Dec 2024
The government has released its final emissions reduction plan for 2026-30, copping criticism for relying on unproven technology such as carbon capture and storage, as well as failing to meet crucial climate targets.
Fossil fuel lobbyist appointed to EECA board
10 Dec 2024
The Green Party has slammed the government’s appointment of a fossil fuel lobbyist to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority Board.
Fullers360 adds electric hydrofoiling vessel to tourism fleet
10 Dec 2024
The addition makes Fullers360 the world’s first major ferry operator with a certified electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel in its fleet.
Dame Patsy Reddy appointed Climate Change Commission chair
9 Dec 2024
Dame Patsy Reddy has been appointed the new chair of the Climate Change Commission, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced this morning.
Green Party releases alternative climate plan
9 Dec 2024
The Green Party wants to take forestry out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and instead create biodiversity credits for afforestation.
Commission recommends ‘net negative’ 2050 target
6 Dec 2024
The Climate Change Commission has recommended the government adopt more ambitious climate targets, including updating ‘net zero’ to be net negative -20 MtCO2e by 2050, as well as moving to include emissions from international shipping and aviation.
Govt to partner with private sector planting trees on Crown land
6 Dec 2024
Cabinet has agreed to look at public-private partnerships to plant trees on low value Crown land, in a move the government says will support New Zealand’s climate change targets and create more jobs.
National Party clocks most emissions from air travel
6 Dec 2024
The National Party recorded estimated emissions of 999.16 tonnes for the first half of 2024, the highest among all parties.
NZ wildlife among most vulnerable to climate-driven extinction
6 Dec 2024
New Zealand species are among the most vulnerable to extinction in a warming world, according to a global analysis of 30 years of research.
Media round-up
6 Dec 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Oil and gas lobbyist are asking the country to underwrite fossil fuel exploration risks; all of the government's 2024 coal earnings were spent treating damage from just one mine; and will New Zealand buy offshore mitigation to meet 2030 climate targets?
Changes to limit ETS forestry will have 'dire consequences' - foresters
5 Dec 2024
Foresters say that new rules limiting farm to forestry conversions under the Emissions Trading Scheme are set to have dire consequences for forest growers as well as for the country’s ability to meet climate targets.
Govt releases controversial methane review
5 Dec 2024
The Government “will carefully consider” the findings of an independent review on New Zealand’s biogenic methane science and targets, it announced yesterday.
Environmental group slams new forestry regulations
5 Dec 2024
An environmental group advocating for sustainable land use in Tairāwhiti has lashed out at the government’s announcement it will restrict forestry to marginal land.
No excuse to not slash climate pollution – Carr
5 Dec 2024
Outgoing Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr says every sector faces challenges in reducing its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and New Zealand is not unique in its barriers.
Hamilton off-track to reduce emissions
5 Dec 2024
Hamilton City Council is making progress against its 2030 climate targets but Hamilton’s city-wide emissions increased by 6%.
Govt taking pragmatic approach to agricultural emissions – McClay
4 Dec 2024
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said meeting international climate obligations must not come at the expense of jobs or food production.
Auditor-general looks at councils' flood protection plans
4 Dec 2024
The Auditor General is getting set to scrutinise Waikato Regional Council's and Tasman District Council's flood protection plans.
Govt sponsors new methane testing facility
4 Dec 2024
A new feed conversion efficiency and methane testing facility is looking to fill a gap in New Zealand methane research.
Low emission meat products 'simply greenwashing'
3 Dec 2024
A new meat product using bobby calves, that its producer claims will address ethical and environmental concerns in the New Zealand dairy sector, is being labelled "industry greenwashing".
Food system must be included in climate policy – expert
3 Dec 2024
Improving farming production methods, rather than reducing the number of animals farmed, will likely have only a limited overall impact on reducing emissions, according to an expert.
Missed opportunity to stop plastic pollution
3 Dec 2024
Countries failing to agree on a global treaty to curb plastic pollution after a week of talks in South Korea is a missed opportunity, according to a New Zealand plastics expert.
Finding the recipe for a low carbon diet
3 Dec 2024
COMMENT: The majority of New Zealanders could easily blow their entire two-tonne carbon budget just on food. However, not all foods are created equal, writes Emily Mabin Sutton.
Luxon noncommittal on 2030 climate target
2 Dec 2024
Christopher Luxon was put in the hot seat on Q&A with Jack Tame over the weekend, with Tame grilling the prime minister about his party's promises to meet climate change targets.
Low-carbon campaigners call for rail-enabled ferries
2 Dec 2024
As the country waits for the government to announce its plans for the interislander ferries, rail advocates fear that losing rail-enabled ferries could threaten the country’s ongoing ability to decarbonise transport.
Gisborne councillors fear loss of control over forestry rules
2 Dec 2024
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | Gisborne district councillors fear a proposed nationwide environmental standard will prevent the council from creating and enforcing rules to safeguard Tairāwhiti's “unique terrain”.
Media round-up
29 Nov 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Govt could face a hefty bill after new funding target agreed at COP29; the plan to relocate flood-prone Westport; and the UK is planning to slash climate pollution by 81%. Could NZ do the same?
Controversy around methane review heats up
28 Nov 2024
The government’s proposal to align methane targets with ‘no additional warming’ is self-serving, unfair to developing nations, and could ultimately harm New Zealand’s reputation and free trade agreements, according to a new report.
Public transport hike 'nail in the coffin' for emissions reductions
28 Nov 2024
The government’s plan to hike public transport fares will increase traffic, air pollution, and emissions, according to critics.
Labour slams National Party’s lack of action on climate
28 Nov 2024
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has attacked the National Party’s recent performance on climate, saying National has given up on climate action.
Green’s EV fringe-benefit tax bill voted down
28 Nov 2024
Green MP Julie-Anne Genter had hoped National might consider backing her EV fringe-benefit tax bill because it was once a policy in the party’s 2020 manifesto, but those hopes were dashed.
Investment lagging in climate action – report
27 Nov 2024
A new report looks at the barriers to investment at the core of the priorities of COP29.
SolarZero in liquidation
27 Nov 2024
Innovative solar energy pioneer SolarZero has been put into liquidation.
Plastics treaty needed to avert environmental and human health disasters
27 Nov 2024
As global talks kick off aiming to finalise a treaty to combat plastic pollution, a New Zealand expert says that an ambitious and legally binding treaty is essential.
'Back-to-basics' approach for councils ignores climate risk
Fri 11 Jul 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | While ACT is standing local government candidates to oppose councils' attempts to manage emissions and ministers are calling for local authorities to 'get back to basics' - or even suggesting scrapping regional councils altogether - one expert says this narrative is putting communities at risk in the face of climate change.
Fast, sustained phase-out of fossil fuels: best-performing countries in coal and transport sectors
Thu 10 Jul 2025
By Robert McLachlan | It’s true that climate change is getting worse – it will continue to get worse until emissions fall to near zero. But is action on phasing out fossil fuels really stalling?
Clear-sighted view to trade-offs crucial to reimagining our relationship with the land
Mon 7 Jul 2025
By Nick Swallow | COMMENT: New Zealand could see a 70% drop in the value of dairy land if we pursue our emissions targets for agriculture, according to a new report.
Mangroves' overlooked climate role
30 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand’s mangrove forests are pulling tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year, yet their climate benefits remain unrecognised in national emissions reporting.
How flying can be a climate solution
16 Jun 2025
By Paul Callister and Robert McLachlan - Planetary Ecology | How can aviation contribute to tackling climate change when no practicable technology-based solutions are on the horizon?
Emissions Trading Scheme needs deep reform - commissioner
Fri 11 Jul 2025
The government’s attempt to limit forestry conversions on rural land is unlikely to lead to meaningful change, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
NZ Post drops science-based climate target
Tue 8 Jul 2025
By Liz Kivi | NZ Post has dropped its science-based emissions reduction target of 42% by 2030 with no plans to replace it.
