Energy

Waitangi Tribunal kicks off inquiry into climate change policy

Friday - By Liz Kivi | The Crown has contributed to worsening the climate crisis as well as exacerbating impacts on Māori communities, a Waitangi Tribunal panel heard this week.

Labour slams National Party’s lack of action on climate

Thursday - 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

Thursday - 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.

SolarZero in liquidation

27 Nov 24 - Innovative solar energy pioneer SolarZero has been put into liquidation.

Crown Minerals Bill progresses

26 Nov 24 - The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill is set to pass into law in the last parliamentary session of the year beginning December 10.

Energy market settings holding back demand response

25 Nov 24 - A study of large energy users has concluded that changes to the electricity market are needed to make demand response management viable.

Complex Article 6 rules pave way to unruly carbon markets

25 Nov 24 - Media release | Despite the best efforts of activists and some climate negotiators, the agreement reached on Article 6 carbon markets at COP29 in Baku risks facilitating cowboy carbon markets at a time when the world needs a sheriff.

New govt to blame for drop in climate rankings

22 Nov 24 - New Zealand has fallen seven places to rank 41st in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index, with experts saying the country has taken significant backwards steps in climate policy since the new...

Contact Energy to build a new geothermal plant at Wairakei

21 Nov 24 - Contact Energy has announced a significant investment in the redevelopment of its Wairakei geothermal power station.

Why (and how) I’m taking the two tonne challenge

15 Nov 24 - OPINION: By Emily Mabin Sutton | To meet our “fair share” of international climate targets, every person on Earth needs to emit less than 2.5 tonnes of carbon each year by 2030. But what does this...

Govt ring-fences $60 million to investigate new geothermal energy

14 Nov 24 - The government is putting aside $60 million to investigate new geothermal energy generation technology, which has the potential to boost renewable energy output and slash emissions.

The world’s best hope to beat climate change is vanishing

13 Nov 24 - To have a chance against global warming, key economies and industries need to hit crucial emissions targets by 2030. They’re far off track.

Legislation to bring back oil and gas exploration advances

12 Nov 24 - The controversial bill to restart oil and gas exploration completed its second reading in Parliament last week after being reported back from select committee.

COP29 chief exec filmed promoting fossil fuel deals

11 Nov 24 - A senior official at COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan appears to have used his role to arrange a meeting to discuss potential fossil fuel deals.

Govt could make significant domestic reductions towards second NDC - but needs to hurry up

8 Nov 24 - The government could find much of the needed emissions reductions for its next Paris Agreement pledge at home – but needs to get on with it, says new analysis from the Climate Change Commission.

NZ can do better on climate policy, says auditor general

8 Nov 24 - New Zealand’s legislative framework is a strength of its response to climate change, however it is not doing so well in other areas, according to a new report.

New report spotlights how energy efficiency can reduce electricity demand

8 Nov 24 - Media release | A new report says energy efficiency has been a significant factor in subduing power demand and therefore household bills over the past 20 years.

Carbon price inching up as auction looms

7 Nov 24 - The carbon price is still inching up towards the auction floor, with the final auction for 2024 less than a month away. But the US election result means uncertain times for global environmental...

Review identifies risk to retail electricity competition

7 Nov 24 - Media release | A review of risk management options for electricity retailers by the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko has found that while there are a range and combination of solutions available...