Waitangi Tribunal kicks off inquiry into climate change policy

20 Dec 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.

Govt will 'fiddle the numbers' on climate target: Carr

20 Dec 24 - Climate Change Commissioner Rod Carr is predicting the government will use 'creative accounting' to minimise the amount of offshore mitigation it needs to buy, which is currently estimated to cost billions.

Will NZ walk away from the Paris Agreement?

20 Dec 24 - By Geoff Bertram | COMMENT: Unless the government can find very cheap offshore mitigation, the temptation to walk away from its Paris Agreement obligations may well be too strong to resist for a coalition government focused on fiscal austerity.

NZ submits first Paris Agreement progress report

19 Dec 24 - 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.

Fast-track bill passes third reading

18 Dec 24 - 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.

Fast-track law makes chaotic progress

17 Dec 24 - 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.

Govt to shake up climate-related disclosures regime

16 Dec 24 - 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.

Methanexit? New report reveals risk of subsidising gas price hikes

16 Dec 24 - Media release | A dry winter in 2025 or beyond could enable our largest gas user – Canadian company Methanex – to push up gas and electricity prices, according to a new report, titled “Methanexit:...

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

13 Dec 24 - 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...

Govt ferry plan puts climate change commitments at risk

12 Dec 24 - 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...

Cuts to science funding will hurt climate response

12 Dec 24 - 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...

Second emissions reduction plan still off-track

11 Dec 24 - 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...

Carbon price dips as dust settles after auction

10 Dec 24 - The carbon price has taken a dive since last week’s auction, down more than 6% on last week’s auction price.

Dame Patsy Reddy appointed Climate Change Commission chair

9 Dec 24 - 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 24 - The Green Party wants to take forestry out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and instead create biodiversity credits for afforestation.

Kāinga Ora’s ‘KO’ to the wool industry

9 Dec 24 - Media release | Federated Farmers says Kāinga Ora’s decision to categorically rule out use of woollen carpets in social housing is a total slap in the face for struggling Kiwi sheep farmers.

Why rich countries are ‘reluctant’ on coal-to-clean deals

9 Dec 24 - UK and German officials have said there will likely be no more Just Energy Transition Partnerships, as the focus shifts to “country platforms” instead.

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...

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.

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