Topics tagged with 'Agriculture'
A slippery sort of "come out of the closet day" of climate change politics
3 Apr 2008
While the select committee opened up its hearings on the climate change bill at Parliament yesterday, senior Ministers launched a fusillade of statements questioning National’s position on climate change, including trying to get some “slippery” mud to stick to John Key.
Major CO2 storage project launches, brightens future for coal use
3 Apr 2008
The first carbon dioxide storage project in the Southern Hemisphere, in which Solid Energy is a major investor and founding member, was launched yesterday in south west Victoria, Australia.
GHGPC: Emissions Trading - at what cost?
3 Apr 2008
In a presentation to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee hearing submissions on the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill, the Greenhouse Policy coalition, representing the energy intensive sector, had the following to say.
Parker: Full trans-Tasman ETS harmonisation only one option
2 Apr 2008
EXCLUSIVE - New Zealand does not need to integrate its emissions trading scheme (ETS) with Australia’s for it to work efficiently, Climate Change Minister David Parker told Carbon News yesterday.
Ex KPMG parnters launch certification company in New Zealand Market
1 Apr 2008
An alleged inability of many of New Zealand's primary industries to provide independent information about their business practices is behind the London-based GoodCorporation's anno8uncement yesterday that it will launch in this market.
NZ Windfarms increases stake in WindPower Maungatua
1 Apr 2008
Dunedin – WindPower Maungatua Ltd announced today that NZ Windfarms Limited has increased its 16.7 per cent shareholding in WindPower Maungatua to 50 per cent.
Mighty River Power committed to new geothermal development
1 Apr 2008
Mighty River Power Chair Carole Durbin has announced her board's commitment to support a new $450 million geothermal development proposed at Rotokawa, north of Taupo, with the final decision subject to completion of procurement contracts.
Conserving biodiversity is a business opportunity, say IUCN and Shell
1 Apr 2008
Gland, Switzerland (IUCN)– The business case for conserving nature is strong and getting stronger, according to a new report published today by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and Shell International Limited.
Skids under government’s bio-fuels mandate
31 Mar 2008
It looks increasingly likely that the Labour-led Government’s mandate for petrol and diesel to contain 3.4% of bio-ingredients from July 1 will be shelved – possibly for as long as it takes to develop second-generation bio-fuels.
Bio-fuels threaten food catastrophe
31 Mar 2008
The world is now just two years away from a food catastrophe caused in part by diversion of land-use to feed cars rather than people, according to a leading Indian academic.
International biofuels and electric vehicles experts speaking at Wellington
31 Mar 2008
Six international speakers will join local experts to discuss the future of biofuels and electric vehicles in New Zealand at a conference in Wellington on Wednesday (April 2).
Wind farmers tilt at gas power for pushing up prices
31 Mar 2008
To say the 90% renewable energy target will be directly responsible for increased electricity prices ignores current electricity price trends, say Fraser Clark, CEO of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association.
Roger Kerr: Saving the Planet Must Not Cost the Earth
31 Mar 2008
By Roger Kerr, Business Roundtable Shortly a select committee of parliament will begin hearings on the bill to implement an emissions trading scheme (ETS).
Posnett defends bio-fuels' New Zealand role
28 Mar 2008
“A piece of legislation” is all that’s required to give bio-fuels a sustainable role in the New Zealand transport fuel mix, according to Dickon Posnett, the chairman of the newly-formed New Zealand Bio-fuels Manufacturers’ Association (BMA).
Air NZ: Do you want carbon credits with that?
28 Mar 2008
Air New Zealand customers now have the option to fund the purchase of carbon credits to offset their travel.
Ballance: Nitrification inhibitor use tracked by software
28 Mar 2008
Ballance Agri-Nutrient’s nitrification inhibitor science is now recognised by the wider agricultural industry.
Unreliable renewable generation contributes to high spot prices
28 Mar 2008
“The flaws in the policy to ban new thermal power stations are being graphically illustrated by current high electricity spot prices,” said Ralph Matthes, Executive Director of the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG).
Greenpeace turns spotlight on farmers
27 Mar 2008
Greenpeace is demanding New Zealand farmers be brought into the pending New Zealand emissions trading scheme earlier than the scheduled 2013.
Environment Bay of Plenty welcomes major lake restoration move
27 Mar 2008
Environment Bay of Plenty has welcomed today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that the Government will be contributing $72.1 million to restore the Rotorua Lakes.
NZ emissions trading regulations - what's in store
27 Mar 2008
Officials are working on a range of regulations to implement New Zealand's emissions trading system.
Government needs to define clean coal future
26 Mar 2008
The Greenpeace action at Lyttelton last night will put further pressure on the Government to define the role of coal within the ETS and the wider battle against climate change. By far New Zealand’s biggest known energy resource is the 11 billion tonnes of low-grade lignite coal scattered through a dozen easily-accessible fields in Otago and Southland.
Three pillars to Wong’s emissions policy
26 Mar 2008
The three pillars of reducing emissions, adapting to unavoidable climate change and helping shape a global solution are at the heart of Australia’s greenhouse gas (GHG) policies, Australian Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has told Carbon News.
Now it’s petrol giving the Aussies cold feet
26 Mar 2008
Never mind that the participation of agriculture and forestry in the Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS) looks like being left to the respective industries to decide, land transport may be allowed off the hook too.
Meridian half-year profit $94 million - $175 million special dividend
26 Mar 2008
Meridian has reported a half-year after-tax result of $93.7 million for the six months ended 31 December 2007, compared with a restated profit of $116.6 million for the same period a year earlier.
Garnaut bucks Wong’s exclusion of agriculture: wants all permits auctioned
25 Mar 2008
Agriculture and forestry should be included in the Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS) despite Climate Change Minister Penny Wong’s preference for their exclusion, the Australian Federal Government’s principal climate change advisor, Professor Ross Garnaut says.
Millions pour into ag emission reduction research projects
25 Mar 2008
Research into the mitigation of agricultural emissions is the biggest beneficiary of the first $5m allocated by the Government under its Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change.
Self-assessment the Kiwi ETS maxim
20 Mar 2008
A CARBON NEWS INQUIRY SERIES - By Hugh de Lacy: Don’t wait around for the Government to impose overseas standards on carbon assessment and verification: self-assessment is the core theme in the New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS), according to Dave Brash, general manager of the Treasury’s Emissions Trading Group.
BNZ’s Alexander on NZ ETS: “We’ve got to pull finger”
20 Mar 2008
New Zealand needs to “pull its finger out” on an emissions trading scheme (ETS) before it’s overtaken by Australia, or the Europeans start using theirs as a trade barrier.
Now we're 'enhancing' nitrogen take-up to lower farm emissions
20 Mar 2008
Rural supply company Donaghys has launched an innovative breakthrough biotechnology product, which in trials has resulted in nearly equivalent pasture growth with half the level of urea application.
Official timetable for introducing Australia's ETS
20 Mar 2008
Here is the official timetable for developing and introducing Australia's greenhouse gas cap and trade scheme.
Could Clark deliver a personal climate change tax credit?
19 Mar 2008
Could the Clark Government come up with a one-off cash Climate Action Dividend in this year’s Budget, to offset higher costs people will face to pay for its climate change measures?
Smith: Chainsaw massacre continues unabated
19 Mar 2008
Figures released on deforestation are nothing short of an environmental disaster, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Dr Nick Smith.
Nitrification inhibitors critical to clean dairying
19 Mar 2008
If every one of the country’s 5000-odd dairy farmers were to spray their pastures with Ravensdown’s Eco-N, nitrous oxide emissions from all of New Zealand’s pastoral farming would be cut to below 1990 levels, the company says.
CARBON NEWS FORUM: BP Chief Executive - Action needed now to smooth transition to low carbon economy
19 Mar 2008
"Across the world we're at an inflection point as far as the future energy mix is concerned. If we act now to develop sustainable regulatory and fiscal structures, we will be able to smooth the transition to a lower carbon economy of the future. If we wait, then that transition could be very difficult indeed" said BP chief executive Tony Hayward at the Third International Renewables Energy Conference.
Forestry, agriculture may not be in Aussie ETS
18 Mar 2008
Agriculture and forestry may be dumped in the too-hard basket by new Labor Government Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, who yesterday announced a timetable for Australia to launch an emissions trading scheme (ETS).
Key backs ETS – with balance
18 Mar 2008
Opposition Leader John Key says his party supports the proposed New Zealand emissions trading system, describing it as “a good model, market-based, it works”. He also talked of further reforming the planning laws so renewable energy projects could proceed.
Forestry offsetting gains "overwhelming" support
18 Mar 2008
The Flexible Land Use Alliance (FLUA) says it now has "overwhelming" support for a foresty offset scheme in both Parliament and the finance and expenditure select committee now that the National Party has got in behind it.
Business leader says to trust prices to look after the environment
18 Mar 2008
Businesses should reinforce their belief in the power of markets to put a price on carbon and take care of the environment.
Continental plans bio fuel test flight
18 Mar 2008
Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE Aviation have announced plans to conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half of 2009 in an effort to identify sustainable fuel solutions for the aviation industry.
Independent scientists essential for innovation fund integrity
18 Mar 2008
The Green Party says that there must be independent scientists involved in the allocation of the $700 million pastoral and food innovation fund announced today by the Government.
Renewables credits find ready markets
17 Mar 2008
Electricity generator Trustpower is finding ready markets for the carbon credits earned by its Tararua windfarms but the proceeds will do nothing to insulate consumers from rising power prices.
Emissions trading bill backed – but with major safeguard reviews from 2012
17 Mar 2008
The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development says it will back the Government’s move to introduce an emissions trading system.
Agricultural emission rumours discounted
16 Mar 2008
Rumours of a massive under-estimation of the level of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted by agriculture in New Zealand appear to be unfounded, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) suggesting 50ha of exotic plantation will be enough to offset the emissions of a 500ha hill-country farm.
Climate Change natural - unstoppable
12 Mar 2008
By Dr Muriel Newman, Director NZ Centre for Political Research www.nzcpr.com (http://www.nzcpr.com/). I have just returned from an historic meeting of more than 500 people from around the world who gathered in New York to address the question of whether man-made global warming is really threatening the future existence of our planet.
Solid Energy exploring indigenous energy options crucial for New Zealand
12 Mar 2008
Solid Energy’s projects under development will lead the company to more than double its total energy production within a decade, and play an even more critical role in underpinning the country’s energy security, an energy conference was told today.
Rabobank's annual Ag report: fine balance needed on climate change
12 Mar 2008
Given New Zealand’s exposure to global agricultural commodity markets, any loss of international competitiveness as a result of the new scheme would be damaging, according to report co-author and Rabobank head of Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory, Bill Cordingley.
How flying can be a climate solution
Today 10:45am
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?
Greenwashing is rife in Australia, but could its days be numbered?
28 May 2025
COMMENT: Have you ever ticked the box to “fly carbon neutral”, had something delivered via “carbon-neutral shipping” or chosen to pay a bit extra to buy “carbon-neutral gas” from your energy retailer?
Help sustainable aviation fuels take off or delay targets, airlines warn EU
20 May 2025
Earmarked funding, risk-reduction tools, and simplified imports top Airlines for Europe’s wish list for the EU’s upcoming Sustainable Transport Investment Plan.
Forestry consents and relaxed rules in erosion zones sow seeds of future disaster
Fri 13 Jun 2025
OPINION: The government’s move to restrict exotic forestry on our best food-growing soils will push even more forestry investment onto high erosion risk land on the East Coast, with the worst land becoming the only land left for the most intensive and destructive land use, writes Manu Caddie
Sustainability claims questioned as renewable diesel surges
14 May 2025
Critics are sceptical about industry claims of renewable diesel life-cycle greenhouse gas emission cuts and warn renewable diesel carbon releases will surge if sourcing is scaled up, triggering tropical deforestation as producers convert forests to energy crops, such as oil palm and soy.
Carbon auction odds-on to fail
Fri 13 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | The carbon price has rallied slightly in recent weeks, however with secondary market prices still hovering around the $57 mark, well below this year’s $68 auction floor price, next week’s Emissions Trading Scheme auction looks set to fail.
World leaders’ failure to act is pushing Earth past 1.5°C
Today 10:45am
Based on mounting evidence, some scientists now fear we’ve entered a new era of the climate emergency, characterized by accelerated warming and amplified disasters.
Govt mulls status quo for ETS auction settings
29 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has released its consultation on the Climate Change Commission’s latest advice on Emissions Trading Scheme auction settings and volumes, putting forward the option to ignore the commission’s advice to boost auction volumes from 2028-2030.
China's approvals of coal power plants grow after 2024 decline
Wed 11 Jun 2025
China approved 11.29 gigawatts of new coal power plants in the first three months of 2025, already exceeding the 10.34 GW approved in the first half of 2024.
A credible UN carbon market needs rules that count – we’ve just set them
Wed 11 Jun 2025
COMMENT: The broad standards for a more ambitious market are now in place. But without a steady flow of investment, this progress will remain largely on paper.
Common low-grade clay strengthens low-carbon concrete
5 Jun 2025
Media release | Engineers at RMIT University have converted low-grade clay into a high-performance cement supplement, opening a potential new market in sustainable construction materials.
Cuts to climate finance put exports in jeopardy: Lawyers
23 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has halved international climate finance, a move aid organisations describe as “devastating,” and which lawyers say could put our Paris Agreement commitments and export market access at risk.
Legal experts sue Climate minister over ‘glaring holes’ in climate plan
Wed 11 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Legal experts are taking the government to court over its Emissions Reduction Plan, alleging it fails to fulfil basic requirements of the law – with one of the arguments focussing on an over-reliance on tree-planting.
Electric firebricks: decarbonising high-temperature industrial heat
Fri 13 Jun 2025
By Ian Mason | A new technology could offer a more cost-effective solution than hydrogen to decarbonise one ‘hard-to-abate’ sector of New Zealand’s economy, as well as having ample potential for demand response as the electricity grid becomes more renewable.
Govt budgets $200m for would-be gas investors
23 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | Energy Resources Aotearoa has welcomed the government's plan to co-invest $200 million in fossil gas expansion, while environmental and climate groups have reacted with horror.
Extreme ocean warming engulfed South-West Pacific in 2024
6 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Unprecedented ocean warming engulfed the South-West Pacific in 2024, with extreme heat and rainfall causing deadly and devastating impacts and sea level rise threatening entire islands.
Government undermines regional powers to protect coastal biodiversity
Today 10:45am
Media Release | The Environmental Defence Society opposes the Government’s decision to press ahead with amendments to the Resource Management Act that severely curtail the ability of regional councils to manage the impacts of fishing on coastal marine biodiversity.
UN University report warns against carbon credits from REDD, tree planting, and improved forest management
Fri 13 Jun 2025
But the report stops short of recommending banning the trade in carbon temporarily stored in trees.
Labor accused of ‘gaslighting’ Australians on climate crisis as fossil fuel projects keep getting approved
9 Jun 2025
‘They offer sympathy and then just go and approve massive fossil fuel projects anyway,’ one advocate says.
Watts talks big on energy reform, but barriers persist
29 May 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Energy and Climate Change minister Simon Watts says the government is doubling down on efforts to boost renewable energy generation, streamline regulation, and drive private sector investment as New Zealand faces mounting energy security and affordability challenges.
Electrification challenge for politicians, regulators
27 May 2025
Rewiring Aotearoa is calling for stronger political leadership to bring its vision of a cheaper, cleaner and stronger energy system to life, with the launch of its policy manifesto today.
As methane climate impacts soar, NGOs, scientists, and advocates launch campaign to 'pull the methane emergency brake'
Fri 13 Jun 2025
Media release | International NGOs, scientists, and climate advocates are launching a global campaign calling for deep, rapid, mandatory cuts in methane emissions as the best way to lower near-term global temperature rise.
Govt uses climate change as ‘Trojan horse’ for other objectives
Tue 10 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Waitangi Tribunal has heard that the New Zealand Government’s international trade and investment agreements are failing to meet Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in the context of climate change – prioritising commercial interests while sidelining Māori rights and worldviews.
Methanex closure comes early this year
14 May 2025
The almost-now-annual closure of Methanex has come earlier this year, giving more confidence that the electricity system will get through the winter without a fuel shortfall.
What happened to the hydrogen economy?
3 Jun 2025
The hydrogen car that was supposed to carry us into a cleaner future is still not in the driveway. In fact, outside of a few test markets, it’s not in anyone’s driveway.
Climate change could drive surge in foreclosures and lender losses, new study finds
22 May 2025
Extreme weather linked to climate change could spell financial ruin for many American homeowners and lead to billions in losses for lenders, a new study finds.
Will NZ walk away from the Paris Agreement?
20 Dec 2024
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.
Energy Australia apologises to 400,000 customers and settles greenwashing legal action
22 May 2025
Energy retailer says carbon offsetting ‘not the most effective way’ to reduce emissions.
Could ‘orange’ hydrogen be NZ’s key to net-zero?
30 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand could be sitting on resources for a thriving multi-billion-dollar, low-carbon hydrogen economy, which might even be capable of creating a net reduction of carbon dioxide, according to scientists.
Carbon News launches price index
24 Jun 2024
Today’s issue is the first to feature Carbon News’ own carbon price index for secondary market spot prices for NZUs on New Zealand’s compliance market.
Tribunal asked to halt seabed mine fast-track
Today 10:45am
By Craig Ashworth, Local Democracy Reporter | South Taranaki hapū want the Waitangi Tribunal to halt a fast-track bid to mine the seabed off Pātea.
Foresters baulk at restrictions, land ballots
Wed 11 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Forestry groups say that new legislation will introduce further uncertainty for planting plans and poses a threat to climate targets.
Ocean current ‘collapse’ could trigger ‘profound cooling’ in northern Europe – even with global warming
Fri 13 Jun 2025
A “collapse” of key Atlantic ocean currents would cause winter temperatures to plunge across northern Europe, overriding the warming driven by human activity.
Fight over coal mine heats up
30 May 2025
Forest & Bird is calling on the government to create a new scientific reserve covering the Denniston Plateau on the West Coast, which would stop a fast-tracked coal mine.
Microplastics found in sand on dozens of NZ beaches
4 Jun 2025
Scientists have extracted microplastics from the sand of 22 beaches from the Far North to Banks Peninsula.
Legislation introduced to restrict farm-to-forest conversions
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today introduced a bill to Parliament that he says will put a stop to large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions.
Israel deports activist Greta Thunberg after military seized Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship
Thu 12 Jun 2025
Israel deported activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday, the country's Foreign Ministry said, a day after the Gaza-bound ship she was on with 11 other people was seized by the Israeli military.
Straterra has a new name: the New Zealand Minerals Council
16 Apr 2025
Media release | Straterra has been renamed as New Zealand Minerals Council, says chief executive Josie Vidal.
Could Queenstown become the world’s most electric city?
Wed 11 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Queenstown is set to become the focus of an ambitious initiative aiming to transform it into the world’s most electrified destination.
Climate progress slowing, says Auckland councillor
5 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The devastating cyclone that tore through Tāmaki Makaurau in 2023 left behind more than just broken infrastructure, sparking calls to focus on facts over ideology in the fight against climate change.
Green budget 'ludicrous la-la land' – govt
15 May 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the budget was "clown show economics" and an "absolute circus".
Biochar's negative emissions tech coming to Fieldays
6 Jun 2025
Biochar Network New Zealand will showcase its negative emissions technology biochar at this year's Forestry Hub at Fieldays 2025.
United Nations carbon market rules agreed but concerns remain
25 Nov 2024
New carbon market rules agreed at the fractious UN climate summit will be a relief to New Zealand and Singapore, who were leading the negotiations, but concerns about greenwashing and disadvantaging nature-based solutions remain.
“It’s not the car – it’s how we move” – EECA
3 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams| New Zealand’s transport emissions conversation has focused heavily on electric vehicles – but Richard Briggs, group manager, delivery and partnerships at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, says we’re asking the wrong question.
Rapid action vital following UN Ocean Conference – experts
Thu 12 Jun 2025
New Zealand-based experts are calling for rapid and transformative action to restore nature - and our relationship with it - at the third UN Ocean Conference in France this week.
Waste Levy risks becoming ‘slush fund’ under proposed changes – Commissioner
5 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Proposed changes to New Zealand's waste legislation risk undermining public trust in the waste levy scheme, according to Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton.
Govt's RMA overhaul sparks fears for nature and climate
30 May 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government has opened public consultation on the biggest overhaul of environmental planning rules in New Zealand’s history, with critics warning it puts nature and climate at risk in favour of fast-tracked development and industry expansion.
Tropical forest loss hit new heights in 2024; fire a major driver in Latin America
23 May 2025
Tropical forest loss skyrocketed in 2024, with vast swaths of primary forest consumed by fire, according to new satellite data.
For the first time, China invests more in wind and solar than coal overseas
29 May 2025
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, long derided for its heavy carbon footprint, was dominated by wind and solar power projects for the first time from 2022 to 2023, according to a new analysis. But coal plants financed in earlier years are still coming online.
