Greenhouse Effect

Govt's choice of climate leadership criticised as ‘Trumpian’

Friday - 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.

Second emissions reduction plan still off-track

Wednesday - 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.

2024 is the hottest year on record, EU scientists say

Tuesday - This year will be the world's warmest since records began, with extraordinarily high temperatures expected to persist into at least the first few months of 2025, European Union scientists said on Monday.

Dame Patsy Reddy appointed Climate Change Commission chair

Monday - 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

Monday - The Green Party wants to take forestry out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and instead create biodiversity credits for afforestation.

Sails make a comeback to cut shipping’s huge carbon footprint

Monday - The international merchant fleet of more than 100,000 ships transports more than 80% of global trade. But it’s also responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Commission recommends ‘net negative’ 2050 target

6 Dec 24 - 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 24 - 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.

Changes to limit ETS forestry will have 'dire consequences' - foresters

5 Dec 24 - 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...

Govt releases controversial methane review

5 Dec 24 - 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 24 - 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 24 - 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.

Food system must be included in climate policy – expert

3 Dec 24 - 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.

Finding the recipe for a low carbon diet

3 Dec 24 - 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.

Pacific Youth hope historic hearing in the Hague delivers climate justice where COP did not

3 Dec 24 - Media release | Save the Children is urging world leaders to heed the call of Pacific children and young people as a landmark action to clarify states’ obligations to tackle the climate crisis gets...

Luxon noncommittal on 2030 climate target

2 Dec 24 - 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.

Waitangi Tribunal kicks off inquiry into climate change policy

29 Nov 24 - 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.

New Zealand must step up and pay our fair share post-COP29

29 Nov 24 - Media release | World Vision New Zealand and Oxfam Aotearoa are urging the New Zealand Government to seize the momentum off the back of the global climate conference, Cop29, and pay our fair share...

Controversy around methane review heats up

28 Nov 24 - 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...