Close questioning over ‘ministerial latitude’ at climate hearing
17 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie
Lawyers challenging the legality of the government’s emissions reduction plans faced close questioning on the limits of ministerial foresight in the first of three days of hearings at the Wellington High Court yesterday.
Story copyright © Carbon News 2026
Fonterra ‘spins’ greenwashing research for favourable press
Today 11:45am
By Liz Kivi | Dairy co-operative Fonterra has managed to ‘spin’ international research intended to highlight greenwashing, instead using it to generate unwarranted positive press, according to researchers behind the recent study into ag industry greenwashing.
Branching out to see the wood for the trees on climate
Today 11:45am
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Climate Trunk aims to make sense of climate and the energy transition by showing how climate science, impacts, energy, economics, politics and net zero fit together in one coherent framework.
Paddocks to power: The rise of small-scale solar farms
Today 11:45am
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | A new, small-scale solar farm has been lit in North Canterbury.
Media round-up
Today 11:45am
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The environmental cost of cruise ships isn't worth the economic benefit, according to an expert; a Kiwi joins an all-female voyage to tackle plastics in the Pacific; and Greenpeace's Russel Norman said what about oil?
Planned coal mine borders internationally significant wetland
Thu 30 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Victorian Hydrogen, the company behind plans for a huge coal-to-urea project, has applied for a permit to explore for coal next to an internationally significant wetland in a sensitive catchment in Southland.
Govt missing tricks to save fuel in crisis
Thu 30 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government is being urged to shift its response to the fuel crisis away from short-term relief and towards measures that reduce demand, with public health experts warning it is missing an opportunity to boost energy security and lower household costs.
Energy uncertainty holding back investment – report
Thu 30 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Uncertainty around energy costs and supply is delaying investment decisions for New Zealand businesses, with new research showing firms would ramp up spending on growth, workforce capability and electrification if conditions were more stable.
AI maps disappearing urban canopy to guide smarter city planning
Thu 30 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New research, using AI to help map urban tree loss, shows Christchurch lost 14.5% of its canopy cover in the five years between 2016 and 2021.
New funding for low methane farming uptake
Wed 29 Apr 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | The government will co-fund projects under an Early Adoption Accelerator scheme announced today to accelerate the uptake of low emissions farming technologies emerging from the AgriZero public-private partnership.
Peters backs rail over road as Govt weighs heavier trucks
Wed 29 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Winston Peters has broken ranks with the Government over proposed changes to heavy vehicle rules, saying rail – not bigger trucks – is the answer to New Zealand’s fuel pressures as the Coalition considers easing weight limits to reduce freight costs.
