Topics tagged with 'Energy'
Kiwis a bit short on good ideas, UK expert says
10 Feb 2009
A British marine energy expert says New Zealand is lacking ideas and needs to do more to support the emergence of the marine energy industry.
NZ research finds new life in old concrete
10 Feb 2009
Research in New Zealand by Swiss-owned Holcim has identified a carbon dioxide re-uptake process in demolition concrete material.
Capital scraps over windfarms in parks
10 Feb 2009
Greater Wellington Regional Council’s commitment to sustainable energy is wavering in the face of protests from residents who see wind farms as environmental pollution.
Wellington to stage micro-turbines trials
10 Feb 2009
Energy distributor Vector Ltd has signed a joint venture with Scottish company Renewable Devices Swift Turbines, which manufactures micro-wind turbines.
Australian executives ahead of pack on climate change
10 Feb 2009
MORE than 50 per cent of Australia's business chiefs believe they have not received adequate information about the impact of climate change on business.
They all love lithium, but have we got enough?
10 Feb 2009
Lithium is a hot topic as the world searches for the perfect battery with which to power a new generation of electric vehicles.
US and China told to cooperate on climate change
10 Feb 2009
Cooperation between China and the United States is crucial to successfully addressing the climate change problem, says a report that was co-authored by Energy Secretary Steven Chu just before to his nomination.
Energy boss warns of end to California farming
10 Feb 2009
United States Energy Secretary Steven Chu has warned that, if climate change continues unabated, California’s agriculture could vanish by the end of the century.
Australian trader records biggest carbon sale
10 Feb 2009
Australia has recorded its largest carbon trade to date as trading in the over-the-counter carbon market gains momentum ahead of the introduction of a carbon pollution reduction scheme scheduled for mid-2010.
Reinstating Labour’s home-insulation plan first step
10 Feb 2009
If Prime Minister John Key is really serious about announcing infrastructure projects this week that preserve and create New Zealand jobs, then he must start by reinstating Labour’s home insulation programme, says Labour leader Phil Goff.
Business as usual for Green Homes Fund: Greens
10 Feb 2009
News that John Key is going to invest in upgrading and insulating state houses is puzzling, given that in the 2008 budget Parliament voted $53 million over five years to complete insulation and energy efficiency upgrades of all state houses, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said.
Mitsubishi and Meridian launch electric car trial
10 Feb 2009
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand and Meridian Energy today launched a trial of the first mass produced new generation electric vehicle to come to New Zealand - the Mitsubishi iMiEV.
Learn from us, says UK renewables expert
3 Feb 2009
New Zealand could take a leaf out of the British government’s book and provide incentives if it seriously wants to encourage the development of renewable energy technology, says a visiting expert.
BP accused of watering down EU green agenda
3 Feb 2009
Oil industry lobbying at the heart of the European Union has undermined efforts to tackle climate change, environmental groups are claiming.
Carbon trading may be new sub-prime, says energy boss
3 Feb 2009
The row over the working of the European Union’s emissions trading scheme has intensified with EDF Energy warning that speculators risked turning carbon into a new category of sub-prime investment.
There’s still some hope for the American car
3 Feb 2009
It’s not news that Detroit is in the ditch, battered by both a frightful economy and self-inflicted woes.
World can afford green economy, says new report
3 Feb 2009
Moving to a green global economy could not only protect the planet from the worst effects of climate change but is surprisingly affordable, new figures show.
Smart meters give households power to choose lower prices
3 Feb 2009
The introduction of smart metering will give households a chance to benefit from the electricity market reforms of nearly 20 years ago - and use cheaper power when it is available, says the Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Ngawha power station officially opens
3 Feb 2009
Top Energy's Ngawha power station was opened on Saturday by Northland MP John Carter.
Drop in consents builds case for housing and green-home fund
3 Feb 2009
A dramatic drop in building consents and fears about the long-term health of the building industry is more evidence that social housing and the Green Homes Fund have a critical role in the Government's stimulus plan, says Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.
Greens support new hydro scheme in Buller
3 Feb 2009
The Green Party's West Coast-based MP, Kevin Hague, has lodged a submission in support of a proposed hydro scheme on the Stockton Plateau.
Meridian says its programme will boost employment and economy
3 Feb 2009
State-owned power company Meridian Energy is set to provide a major boost to economic activity and local employment as its billion dollar-plus development programme gathers pace.
JATROPHA: Toxic seeds could fool children
30 Jan 2009
The toxic seed of the jatropha plant – used to make biofuel - might be attractive to children, warns a New Zealand scientist.
Holcim readies for court hearing on plant shift
30 Jan 2009
Holcim still wants to shift its New Zealand cement production from Westport to Oamaru, with an Environment Court appeal hearing for the company's proposed new North Otago plant scheduled for March.
Big UK polluters abusing EU carbon trading scheme
30 Jan 2009
Britain’s biggest polluting companies are abusing a European emissions trading scheme designed to tackle global warming by cashing in their carbon credits in order to bolster ailing balance sheets.
Gore urges action on US green agenda
30 Jan 2009
Former US vice-president Al Gore yesterday, laid out a road map for President Barack Obama to push through his ambitious green agenda and re-assert American leadership on global climate change negotiations.
Stockton long-term investments confirmed, production cut in response to steel downturn
30 Jan 2009
Solid Energy has confirmed it will invest $100 million in a new coal processing plant at Stockton Opencast Mine in the Buller, the next major step in a substantial long-term investment programme designed to secure a further 20-year life for the mine.
NZ could pay the price for Australian energy targets
27 Jan 2009
Australia’s mandatory renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020 could cost New Zealand investment dollars.
Dairy farmers place orders for local biogas system
27 Jan 2009
The first commercial orders have been placed for the Landcorp-backed BioGenCool biogas energy system for dairy farms.
Leading investors call for US 'green recovery'
27 Jan 2009
A group of 44 US and international investors managing more than $1.7 trillion in assets has called on Congressional leaders to include significant funding for energy efficiency, clean energy and clean transportation in the economic stimulus bill being debated this week in Congress.
Clinton names key US climate change envoy
27 Jan 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today appointed a special envoy for climate change, vowing that the Obama administration would restore America's credentials and leadership in shaping environmental policy.
Rudd minister rubbishes Opposition’s ETS scheme
27 Jan 2009
Australian Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has scoffed at Opposition claims that the Rudd Government has done nothing on developing clean energy sources, insisting it has already allocated $1 billion for development of renewable technologies and clean coal.
New Zealand should join the new International Renewable Energy Agency
27 Jan 2009
About 100 states will be meeting in Bonn this week to establish an International Renewable Energy Agency (http://www.irena.org/), but New Zealand has not yet committed to being there.
Australia better investment bet than NZ, says Trustpower
23 Jan 2009
Confusion over New Zealand policies is making Australia a better place in which to invest in renewable energy projects, says Trustpower.
Anxious Asian buyers try to rewrite NZ coal deals
23 Jan 2009
Export prices of US$300 per tonne fixed last year from Solid Energy’s Stockton mine and from the NZX-listed Pike River mine are under push-back from Asian consignees.
Mighty River chief takes on carbon management
23 Jan 2009
It might not seem like the natural time to leave an established career in general management and take up a role in a new carbon funds management company, but for New Zealand Carbon Funds Management managing director James Moulder the timing is perfect.
Obama vows to pioneer renewable energy revolution
23 Jan 2009
President Barack Obama has promised the American people the country will pioneer a green revolution in renewable energy.
‘Optimistic’ UN chief greets new US president
23 Jan 2009
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has, “with great optimism,” congratulated Barack Obama on his inauguration as President of the United States, stressing that America and the UN share a number of common goals.
UN hails green stimulus plans by Japan and Korea
23 Jan 2009
The decisions of Japan and the Republic of Korea to invest billions of dollars in environmentally smart projects to create jobs and spur economic growth has been applauded by the United Nations.
UK names date for second emissions trading auction
23 Jan 2009
The British Government intends to hold its second auction in Phase II of the European Union's Emissions Trading System on March 24.
Zurich approach 'bearing fruit'
23 Jan 2009
In the first year since its launch, the global Climate Initiative of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) has led to the development of new products and services addressing the evolving risks associated with climate change, significant steps in measuring and managing Zurich’s own carbon footprint and the facilitation of climate change related research.
Obama's green leadership challenges National, say Greens
23 Jan 2009
As the new US president promised again to champion the environment, Green Party co-Leader Dr. Russel Norman asked why New Zealand's government is headed in the opposite direction.
Nats' ETS opinions don't worry me, says Hide
20 Jan 2009
Act Party leader Rodney Hide says that he is unconcerned by comments from United Future leader Peter Dunne and Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee that New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme is here to stay.
Timber plant pioneers geothermal sequestration
20 Jan 2009
A Taupo timber-processing plant is using a pioneering method of applied sequestration.
British developers keen to work with NZ on clean energy
20 Jan 2009
A UK-to-New Zealand mission on renewable and clean energy due to be held in Wellington from February 2 to 6 aims to encourage collaboration between researchers and developers working in the sector.
Major US companies put plan to cut carbon emissions
20 Jan 2009
A group of major American companies has unveiled a plan to cut carbon emissions by 80 per cent to below 2005 levels by 2050.
US power company plans $2b coal-fired plant
20 Jan 2009
A United States company has formally filed an application with state regulators to build a $2 billion coal-fired power plant in Mississippi.
It could be a good move to hang on to that old Corolla
20 Jan 2009
It can be more eco-friendly to drive an older, well-maintained car that gets about 25 miles a gallon than to buy a new car that gets about 35 miles a gallon.
Farming attitude change could slash NZ emissions
16 Jan 2009
New Zealand could cut its greenhouse gas emissions by two million tonnes a year by moving to no-tillage farming.
Ministry hunts out experts to boost green exports info
16 Jan 2009
Work is under way to address a critical skill-shortage in the area of greenhouse gas lifecycle analysis, which is threatening our exports.
Environmental groups call for ETS reform
Fri 20 Feb 2026
Several environmental organisations are calling on political parties to make climate and biodiversity central to the 2026 election campaign, with reforming the Emissions Trading Scheme seen as a key priority.
Media round-up
Fri 20 Feb 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: 'Every tonne matters': The climate scientist who wants to give you hope; Minister says managed retreat is an option; and climate change is here – is New Zealand ready?
NZ’s government wants tourism to drive economic growth – but how will it deal with aviation emissions?
22 Oct 2025
By Robert McLachlan, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University | Following a brief dip during the COVID pandemic, aviation is back in a growth phase.
Singapore sets first ever sustainable aviation fuel levy, as Southeast Asia’s fuel industry grows
Tue 17 Feb 2026
Flying in and out of Singapore, home to Southeast Asia’s busiest airport, will get slightly more expensive this year as the city state begins imposing a levy of between 75 cents to $32 per ticket to fund sustainable aviation fuel.
Greens slam move to disband Environment Ministry
Fri 20 Feb 2026
The Green Party has joined climate and health advocates in condemning the Government's decision to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment as part of a multi-ministry merger.
Govt’s own modelling shows LNG leads to higher electricity prices than other solutions
Thu 19 Feb 2026
By Christina Hood | COMMENT: According to modelling conducted by Concept Consulting for MBIE, either developing the Tariki gas storage facility or managing electricity demand would deliver lower wholesale electricity prices than the Government’s preferred solution of an LNG import terminal.
New study looks to nature markets to accelerate climate response
Wed 18 Feb 2026
The Nature Conservancy is teaming up with local groups to study the most affordable and effective ways of restoring native habitats at the top of the South Island, including ways to fund the work using international voluntary carbon markets and biodiversity credits.
California, Connecticut preparing 'attack' against Trump's repeal of basis of US climate regulation
Fri 20 Feb 2026
California and Connecticut are working together on a multi-state "plan of attack" against President Donald Trump's repeal of the foundation of federal climate regulation of vehicles, the states' attorneys general told Reuters on Tuesday.
Carbon price drops as volatility continues
Tue 17 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | The carbon market is still displaying extreme volatility, with prices dropping back to below $40 yesterday, after trading as high as $46.25 last week.
Flawed decision-making around taxing electricity to fund LNG import terminal
Mon 16 Feb 2026
By Simon Orme | COMMENT: The Government's decision to back an LNG import terminal exemplifies an egregious failure in public policy and energy sector governance.
LNG: a rational choice compared to unpalatable alternatives
10 Feb 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | COMMENT: By deciding to underwrite the private construction of a liquefied natural gas import facility in Taranaki, the Government has made a rational choice in favour of energy security and affordability.
Sustainable retail-office project breaks ground under new Green Star framework
Thu 19 Feb 2026
Construction is set to begin on a new retail-office development in central Auckland, which is targeting a 40% reduction in embodied carbon and 25% lower energy.
Opposition attacks Govt over fossil fuel phaseout backdown
2 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | Revelations that Resources Minister Shane Jones ruled out New Zealand signing up to a 'road map' away from fossil fuels at last year’s global climate summit show the National Party’s minor coalition partners’ undue influence over the Government, according to Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
Carbon market rallies but auction floor still out of reach
13 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | The carbon market has rallied, with secondary market prices up more than 25% in the past two weeks, although current prices in the mid-$40s are still far below this year’s $71 auction floor, with the first auction of 2026 less than three weeks away.
DOC trims costs and winds down jobs for nature
10 Nov 2025
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is entering a new phase of tighter budgets and structural change as it winds down the pandemic-era Jobs for Nature programme and reshapes its operations to absorb long-term cost pressures.
Transport dominates NZ’s rising consumer emissions
10 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Transport pollution was the biggest contributor to an increase in New Zealand’s consumption-based emissions in 2023, with emissions from household travel up 12%, and consumption-based emissions totalling 58.3 million tonnes – up 1.6% from the previous year.
Slash for cash turns storm debris into jobs and climate resilience
Thu 19 Feb 2026
A community-led initiative in Tairāwhiti is transforming storm-damaged forestry slash into jobs, soil regeneration and long-term climate resilience.
Calls for action to reduce emissions as extreme weather bites
Tue 17 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | Renewable energy advocates and environmental groups are calling for more action to reduce emissions and increase resilience as severe weather wreaks havoc across the country.
RMA to speed up fossil fuel consents
18 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | An energy lobby group has welcomed a last-minute amendment to the RMA that puts fossil fuels on the same footing as renewables, however a sustainable energy expert says the move “beggars belief.”
European Central Bank's green supervision grows teeth, but will banks avoid being bitten?
13 Feb 2026
After several years of issuing guidance and repeatedly calling on banks to take climate and environmental risk management seriously, the European Central Bank is moving from guidance and expectations to enforcement.
Green Member’s Bill aims to give whales legal ‘personhood’
9 Feb 2026
The Green Party wants to give whales legal rights, including the right to sue.
Claims that AI can help fix climate dismissed as greenwashing
Wed 18 Feb 2026
Tech companies are conflating traditional artificial intelligence with generative AI when claiming the energy-hungry technology could help avert climate breakdown, according to a report.
Govt missing opportunity to slash electricity prices, says expert
11 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government’s fixation on eliminating the "dry-year risk margin" as a lever to reduce costs misses a much bigger opportunity to lower electricity prices, according to Christina Hood, head of Compass Climate.
Media round-up
13 Feb 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Senior UK ministers have asked their New Zealand counterparts to explain new climate policies, National’s LNG blunders are a warning ahead of election campaign, and what are the lessons New Zealand should take from another summer of weather disasters?
Wales council to buy and demolish homes prone to flooding
4 Feb 2026
A row of homes in a village in south Wales is to be bought by a local authority and demolished as they can no longer be protected from flooding caused by the climate crisis.
Climate law change spanner in the works for Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry
19 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Government’s controversial changes to New Zealand’s legal framework for climate policy have thrown a spanner in the works for a long-running Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry into climate change.
Australian gas producer Santos wins court fight over net zero claims
Wed 18 Feb 2026
An Australian court on Tuesday threw out a lawsuit against gas producer Santos that alleged the company misled the public on its plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
Govt unveils plans for carbon storage regulations – and ETS rewards
18 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Government has released plans to regulate carbon capture and storage in natural geological formations, which include Emissions Trading Scheme incentives, with the aim of introducing related legislation in 2026.
Seabed miners quit South Taranaki fast-track bid
Fri 20 Feb 2026
By Craig Ashworth, Local Democracy Reporter | Would-be seabed miners have abandoned their fast-track bid to mine in South Taranaki waters, saying they can’t change the minds of the panel that rejected their application.
NZ's latest climate target 'weak' – Climate Action Tracker
24 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's new international climate target to 2035 is weak, and could even allow for higher emissions than the 2030 target, according to a global scientific project that tracks government climate action.
Partnership to advance Pacific science and environmental leadership
Thu 19 Feb 2026
Media release | Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in Pacific-led science, research and capacity-building, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and ocean stewardship.
Lawyers seek answers on climate impacts of LNG import facility
13 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Lawyers for Climate Action has written to Climate Change and Energy Minister Simon Watts warning that the Government's plan for an LNG import terminal could be in conflict with New Zealand’s climate obligations and emissions reduction targets.
Commentators slam Govt inaction in aftermath of climate change-fuelled storms
30 Jan 2026
By Liz Kivi | Climate action - or inaction - is shaping up to be an election issue, with multiple commentators drawing a line between the Coalition Government’s backsliding on climate targets and the deadly extreme weather events of the past week.
Kiwi startup takes on global plastic pollution
12 Feb 2026
A New Zealand startup is launching what it says is the world’s first plastic-free effervescent drink tablet, with the ambitious aim of eliminating bottled beverages to reduce global plastic pollution.
78% of NZers want bottom trawling banned as Govt pushes to catch more coral in South Pacific
Tue 17 Feb 2026
Media release | New polling shows overwhelming support from New Zealanders for a ban on bottom trawling in the South Pacific high seas, says Greenpeace.
Critical minerals talks with US questioned in Waitangi Tribunal climate inquiry
9 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand and the United States' negotiations over critical minerals have raised questions for the Waitangi Tribunal’s long-running inquiry into climate change.
IEA Declaration strengthens international co-operation on critical minerals
Fri 20 Feb 2026
Media release – NZ Government | New Zealand has joined international leaders at the 2026 International Energy Agency Ministerial meeting in committing to strengthen global co-operation on critical minerals to strengthen long‑term energy security.
Antarctic sediment core reveals past ice sheet retreat during warmer climates
Wed 18 Feb 2026
A record-breaking sediment core drilled from beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is giving scientists new insight into how the ice sheet responded to warmer climates in the past — and what that could mean for future sea-level rise.
Solar households to get little-noticed tax break
23 Sep 2025
A provision in the government’s latest tax bill would exempt households from paying tax on income they earn by selling excess electricity back to the grid.
NZ-UAE partnership boosts advanced tech
9 Feb 2026
Media release | A new Antarctic science partnership with a leading UAE university will grow New Zealand’s advanced engineering and modelling capability, supporting high-value jobs, encouraging economic growth, and enabling smarter climate risk management, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti says.
Pacific climate response in question as NZ finance remains unclear
19 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | With New Zealand's $1.3 billion international climate finance commitment set to end with no clarity on what follows, the Auditor-General says oversight of that funding remains patchy and long-term outcomes are unclear.
Infrastructure plan calls for ‘predictable approach’ to electrifying economy
Wed 18 Feb 2026
Aotearoa’s first National Infrastructure Plan, introduced to Parliament yesterday, calls for "a predictable approach to electrifying the economy" as one of ten priorities for the next decade.
Climate ambassador moves on
13 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government is on the hunt for a new top climate diplomat, with previous climate ambassador Stu Horne moving on to a posting in Honolulu as New Zealand’s Consul General to Hawai’i.
EU to ban destruction of unsold clothes and shoes
12 Feb 2026
The European Commission has adopted new measures that will require medium and large companies to stop discarding unsold clothing and footwear, in the bloc’s latest move to target textile waste.
New research on climate adaptation as severe weather hits
Mon 16 Feb 2026
As extreme weather batters the country yet again, researchers have published the first ever empirical study of climate adaptation justice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Study finds warming world increases days when weather is prone to fires around the globe
Fri 20 Feb 2026
The number of days when the weather gets hot, dry and windy — ideal to spark extreme wildfires — has nearly tripled in the past 45 years across the globe, with the trend increasing even higher in the Americas, a new study shows.
Hydrogen plant to start construction
10 Feb 2026
Construction is set to start this month on Hiringa Energy’s long delayed green hydrogen project in South Taranaki, after years of consenting fights that culminated in the Court of Appeal rejecting Greenpeace’s challenge in late 2023.
