Topics tagged with 'Energy'
Solid Energy records further improvement in environmental performance
28 Mar 2008
Solid Energy has published its 2007 Environmental Report reporting that for the second year in a row, the company has met its overall policy objective of having a net positive effect on the New Zealand environment. The overall improvement for the year to 30 June 2007 was 6.6% [1].
Cuba: Energy Program Saves One Million Tons of Oil in One Year
28 Mar 2008
Ciego de Avila, Cuba, March 25 (acn) -- Cuba saved nearly one million tons of oil in the period between 2006 and 2007, which translated into 400 million dollars, as a result of the ongoing nationwide energy program, known here as Energy Revolution.
CARBON NEWS SERIES: Avoiding the major quality gap in emission certification
27 Mar 2008
Carbon News has revealed some companies run the risk of paying well for emissions measurement and certification – and falling short of developing world standards. They could also get stung in ETS emission audits.
Top business speakers appearing at carbon market workshop
27 Mar 2008
Experienced carbon market taders will feature at a Ministry for the Environment and Emissions Trading Group Carbon Markets Workshop in Wellington on April 4.
NSW weighs flogging the family silver
27 Mar 2008
A furore over whether New South Wales (NSW) should privatise its mostly coal-fired electricity generation capacity has erupted in the wake of Kevin Rudd’s federal Labor government announcing it will introduce an emissions trading scheme (ETS) in 2010.
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.
Now it's spot the cars with stars
27 Mar 2008
Car buyers wanting to save money on their fuel bills will find it easier to choose a vehicle that goes further on a full tank, as a result of new fuel efficiency labels.
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.
Environmental protests knock millions off Solid Energy's bottom line
26 Mar 2008
In a prescient remark, given Greenpeace’s blockage of the bulk coal carrier Hellenic Sea in Lyttelton a few hours later, Solid Energy chairman John Palmer has warned that customer uncertainty over the ETS is “raising the risk profile for the long-term security of Solid Energy’s domestic coal supply business.”
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.
Lockwood Launches EcoSmart Home
26 Mar 2008
New Zealand building company Lockwood has launched a new range of EcoSmart homes, saying it wants to address increasing concerns about climate change and the impact building and construction has on the environment.
Transpower announces half-year result - operating surplus down $23.6m
26 Mar 2008
Transpower, the owner and operator of the national electricity grid, made good progress on planning and implementing necessary investment in the grid during the six months ending 31 December 2007.
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.
Greenpeace occupies coal ship; calls for real action on climate change
26 Mar 2008
Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior has blocked a shipment of export coal from leaving the Port of Lyttelton.
US Air Force goes supersonic on synthetic fuel
26 Mar 2008
While New Zealand waits for Air New Zealand to announce its bio fuel flight trials, a B-1B Lancer from the 9th Bomb Squadron at Dyess Air Force base recently became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using an alternate fuel, the Air Force News Agency reports.
New network launches to accelerate climate change investments
26 Mar 2008
Yesterday saw the official launch of a global network mobilizing and accelerating investments to tackle climate change at http://www.climatecapital.net (http://www.climatecapital.net/).
Half year loss but Solid Energy forecasts profitability for full year
26 Mar 2008
Energy producer, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, has produced a net loss after tax of $2.7 million for the half year ended 31 December 2007.
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.
Cut company tax to 25%, Aussies plead
25 Mar 2008
A 5% cut in the company tax rate is being demanded by lobbyist Australian Industry Group (AIG) to cushion business from the financial impact of the emissions trading scheme (ETS) that Kevin Rudd’s Australian Labor Government intends implementing in 2010.
Biggest US emissions rise in nine years
25 Mar 2008
The biggest hike in nine years in United States greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation occurred in 2007, a new analysis from the independent Environmental Integrity Project suggests.
Kelpie Wilson: The Rising Price of Coal
25 Mar 2008
By Kelpie Wilson, truthout Environment Editor. As the global energy/climate crisis deepens, coal has become the starkest symbol and most telling measure of our predicament.
Huntly sends electricity emissions into nosedive
20 Mar 2008
Genesis Energy’s new e3p combined-cycle gas turbine at Huntly slashed electricity generation emissions 10% in the 2007 December quarter compared to the same period in 2006, even though total thermal generation jumped 17%.
American ETS cost estimates parallel New Zealand’s
20 Mar 2008
New Zealand seems to be pretty much on the button when it comes to forecasting the costs of its emissions trading scheme (ETS), to judge from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guesstimate of the United States model.
"Energy Forests" could meet all future NZ transport and heat needs
20 Mar 2008
Purpose-grown energy forests if planted today could meet all of New Zealand's future transport fuel and heat energy needs, without threatening the country's important agricultural industry, according to a study completed by Crown Research Institute, Scion.
Trillion-dollar carbon market targeted
20 Mar 2008
A company that valued the global carbon market at more than a trillion US dollars has leapt into the business of attracting capital flow to ventures mitigating greenhouse gases (GHG) around the world.
Government Cold On Solar Heating
20 Mar 2008
The low uptake of solar-powered heating systems needs some serious attention from the Government if they want to increase the number of homes using them, says New Zealand First energy spokesperson Peter Brown.
Forest & Bird to Meridian: release Mokihinui report
20 Mar 2008
Meridian Energy should come clean and make public an independent report that is believed to have advised the power company not to go ahead with a hydro scheme on the Mokihinui River, Forest & Bird says in a statement yesterday.
BRANZ Seminars on Sustainable Design - Dunedin May 5 2008
20 Mar 2008
Anyone wanting to understand how their design choices impact on the energy efficiency of a building is encouraged to attend BRANZ’ sustainable design seminars, the first of which starts on 5 May in Dunedin.
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?
British firm announces world's largest tidal power development
19 Mar 2008
While the Government here has received two applications for the first tranche of $2 million for wave engery, a British company yesterday announced the world's largest tidal power project.
Queensland drives net solar cost down to under $1500 per household
19 Mar 2008
The announcement follows the inaugural meeting of the Premier’s Council on Climate Change, addressed by one of Australia’s greatest scientific minds, Dr Tim Flannery.
New Zealand Energy Quarterly launched
19 Mar 2008
The first edition of the New Zealand Energy Quarterly was released by the Ministry of Economic Development yesterday.
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.
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.
Tui gas flaring likely to be costly
18 Mar 2008
The consortium behind the Tui oilfield off the Taranaki coast is bracing itself for the carbon bill from its flaring of up to 500,000m3 a day of unusable gas when the emissions trading bill presently before Parliament is passed.
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.
Does Wal-Mart have a message for Air New Zealand?
18 Mar 2008
Wal-Mart is working to lead an effort by major global retailers to create common social and environmental standards for suppliers, a policy which might interest companies like air New Zealand, currently facing questions over its employment by a sub-contractor of lower-paid Chinese cabin crew.
Eco day attracts 6000
18 Mar 2008
Waitakere's key environmental event of 2008, EcoDay, attracted a record number of visitors to Olympic Park, New Lynn, at the weekend.
Aquaflow aviation specialist for key projects
18 Mar 2008
Algae biodiesel developer Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation of Nelson has appointed Des Ashton as a consultant to lead key areas of operational development, in particular aviation projects.
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.
Government’s bio-fuel bubble fit to burst
17 Mar 2008
The bio-fuels bubble has exploded in the face of the Labour Government’s demand that they be incorporated into petrol and diesel mixes, according to the New Zealand chief executive of global energy giant British Petroleum (BP), Peter Griffiths.
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.
Business wants New Zealand to go nuclear on emission credits
17 Mar 2008
Businesses being required to enter New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme want to be able to trade nuclear-sourced emissions credits.
Two marine energy fund applications
17 Mar 2008
Two applications have been received for the first $2m tranche of government grants under the Marine Energy Deployment Fund (MEDF).
EU pumps up minimum taxes for diesel to equal petrol
17 Mar 2008
Members of the European Parliament have decided the current EU-wide minimum rate of tax on diesel should be increased to match the current minimum rate for unleaded petrol, but no further.
EU e-affirms 20% GHG cut by 2020, new energy source goals
17 Mar 2008
European Union countries agreed at a two day summit, ending Saturday NZ time, to climate change goals that include cutting greenhouse emissions by 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.
First climate change futures exchange going live in Canda
17 Mar 2008
The Montreal Climate Exchange (MCeX), a joint venture of the Montreal Exchange (MX) and the Chicago Climate Exchange(R) (CCX), announced it plans to launch trading of futures contracts on Canada carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) units on May 30, 2008, subject to regulatory approval.
Electricity Commission priorities updated
12 Mar 2008
The government is improving the way the Electricity Commission monitors the country’s energy reserves.
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.
Fifty years of observations, no reversal of glacier climate damage
31 Mar 2026
Media release: Earth Sciences New Zealand | Fifty years on from the first aerial survey of our Southern Alps glaciers, late snow and variable summer weather delivered a temporary reprieve from rapid ice loss, says Earth Sciences New Zealand.
Climate experts say spring is coming earlier. How will that affect agriculture and ecosystems?
Today 10:45am
An earlier spring affects when migratory birds arrive, leaves emerge, and fruit ripens — among plants and animals that determine ecosystem health.
$30m airline fund risks ‘burning public money’ without lasting benefit – expert
20 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A $30 million government package to support regional air routes risks delivering poor value for money while increasing emissions, according to transport strategist Tim Adriaansen.
Signs of jet fuel hoarding emerge in Asia on Iran oil shock
26 Mar 2026
Signs are growing that Asian countries are hoarding jet fuel after the Iran war sent oil prices surging, reflecting growing strain on the aviation industry.
New protections for NZ migratory species under UN convention
Thu 2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New international protections for migratory species, including several found in New Zealand, are a positive step – but global protections won’t halt the decline of migratory species on their own, experts say.
Air NZ joins Marsden Point SAF project
3 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Air New Zealand has quietly added its name to a consortium exploring the viability of green hydrogen production for sustainable aviation fuel at Channel Infrastructure’s Marsden Point energy hub.
Supply-side pressures and political uncertainty ahead for carbon market
Today 10:45am
By Kristen Green | ANALYSIS: With failed auctions, a surge of new forestry registrations, and an election a few months away, the NZ ETS in 2026 will be subject to a mix of supply-side pressures and political uncertainty.
Fast-track approved project could deliver NZ’s largest wind farm
Today 10:45am
Media release: New Zealand Government |Fast-track approval has been granted for New Zealand’s largest wind farm project.
Economic contraction will impact carbon market
Wed 1 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | While higher fossil fuel prices strengthen the long-run economics of decarbonisation, the current fuel crisis won’t inspire near-term confidence in the carbon market, according to Lizzie Chambers of Carbon Match.
Asia ramps up use of dirty fuels to cover energy shortfall triggered by Iran war
Thu 2 Apr 2026
South Korea will delay the shutdown of coal-fired plants, while the Philippines also plans to boost the output of its coal-burning plants
Death toll in Afghanistan flooding increases to 28, authorities say
Wed 1 Apr 2026
Afghan authorities said Monday that the death toll from severe weather that has struck swathes of the country over the past four days has increased to 28, with 49 people injured. Dozens of people have died from extreme weather in the country so far this year.
Sustainable retail-office project breaks ground under new Green Star framework
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 price: Ups and downs amid geopolitical uncertainty
26 Mar 2026
By Liz Kivi | After ups and downs in recent weeks, the carbon market again broke above the $40 mark this week, with questions around how the Middle East conflict will play out weighing on market confidence.
Environmental groups call for ETS reform
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.
A matter of strategy
Today 10:45am
COMMENT: Even on the brink of a global commodities crisis, the possibilities for climate action aren't hopelessly foreclosed. Strategy can turn our fortunes around, writes David Hall.
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.
Wellington planting nears one million trees
30 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Greater Wellington’s parks restoration programme will hit one million native trees this year, with the first dams to rewet peat wetlands in Queen Elizabeth Park now completed after a years-long effort to bring these ecosystems – and their carbon sequestering superpowers – back to life.
Labour mulls GIDI 2.0 as factory closures mount
Wed 1 Apr 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Factory closures across the country could have been prevented if the last Labour-led government’s GIDI fund to assist companies with the cost of electrification hadn't been scrapped, Labour energy spokesperson, Megan Woods, says.
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.”
FMA to ease conditions for green bond issues
31 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Green, social and sustainability-linked bonds will face lower disclosure requirements and regulatory costs under a class exemption newly granted by the Financial Markets Authority.
Fonterra admits ‘100% grass-fed’ claim breached law in greenwashing row
Thu 2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has admitted its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” claims on Anchor butter were misleading and breached the law, settling a case brought by Greenpeace Aotearoa over packaging used between December 2023 and April 2025.
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.
NZ prepares to join ‘gold rush’ for white hydrogen
25 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand may be close to commercialising the capture and use of naturally occurring ‘white’ hydrogen, with investment plans for developments in the Wairarapa region picking up pace in response to spiralling oil prices.
Media round-up
20 Mar 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Crown lawyers agree High Court could quash emissions plan if found unlawful; NZ is locked in 'disaster inertia'; and climate change is notably absent from new development laws.
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.
Lawyers complain to ombudsman over Govt failure to release LNG modelling
Wed 1 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Lawyers for Climate Action has made a formal complaint to the Ombudsman over the Government’s failure to release information about its controversial decision to build a LNG import terminal.
Cleantech expo coming to Auckland
26 Mar 2026
New Zealand’s first national cleantech expo is set to bring together 30 innovators, in what organisers say is the country’s fastest growing area in the tech sector.
NZ First targets regional share of mining royalties
30 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand First has proposed returning 50% of mining royalties to regional communities, saying that too much of the value from resource extraction is currently flowing to Wellington.
Tuvalu prioritises climate change in agreement with NZ
27 Mar 2026
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand has pledged an additional $20 million to climate resilience work in Tuvalu, more than doubling Aotearoa's aid to the tiny island nation in the current financial year.
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.
Worst in a generation: Environmentalists slam fisheries reform bill
25 Mar 2026
Media release: Greenpeace | The Fisheries Amendment Bill, which will likely have its first reading in parliament this week, is being labelled the worst fisheries policy in a generation by environmental groups who are calling for it to be rejected to protect ocean health.
Kiwis overly optimistic about state of environment
27 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New research suggests many New Zealanders believe the environment is in better shape than it really is, with public perceptions often out of step with scientific evidence.
‘They pushed so many lies about recycling’: the fight to stop big oil pumping billions more into plastics
24 Feb 2026
Plastic production has doubled over the last 20 years – and will likely double again. For author Beth Gardiner, metal water bottles and canvas tote bags are not the solution. So what is?
Watts’s last stand: Simeon Brown takes energy portfolio
Thu 2 Apr 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Energy Minister Simon Watts has lost the portfolio to Cabinet fixer Simeon Brown in a reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this morning.
Activists occupy controversial gold drilling site
25 Mar 2026
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | Opposition in Golden Bay to a controversial gold mine at Sams Creek has flared up over the weekend after several activists briefly occupied a drilling site.
China has a new competitor? Kazakhstan reveals huge rare Earth deposit that could power the next tech boom
25 Feb 2026
China’s grip on rare earths might finally see some competition, and the world is already taking notice.
Media round-up
Thu 2 Apr 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The widening political gap is deepening cracks in NZ's climate consensus, Christchurch recorded more than 30,000 extra cycling trips over two weeks, and is the energy crisis a renewable inflection point?
Sci-tech prioritisation report is a joke that could cost NZ dearly, says NZ Association of Scientists
Thu 2 Apr 2026
Media release: New Zealand Association of Scientists | The Prioritisation Report released yesterday by the Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Council makes a poor case for further cuts and changes to our research system.
Carbon trading schemes cut more emissions than carbon taxes, according to global study
20 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Carbon trading schemes are more effective than carbon taxes at reducing emissions, cutting fossil fuel use, and accelerating the shift to renewable energy, a global study has found.
AI’s arrival complicates Big Tech climate goals, and some worry it’s locking in more fossil fuels
Thu 2 Apr 2026
Six years ago, Google was confident that by 2030 it would power all operations with electricity generated from clean sources, including wind and solar power, and remove as much pollution as it produced. Today it calls those goals a “moonshot.” Microsoft says it’s still aiming to remove more carbon than it creates by 2030 but now describes the effort as “a marathon, not a sprint.”
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.
Fuel crisis powers surge in EV interest in Asia-Pacific region
Today 10:45am
Motorists across the Asia-Pacific region are switching to electric vehicles at a rapid pace, as rising fuel costs due to the Middle East war force consumers and companies to reconsider their reliance on petrol and diesel vehicles.
Infrastructure plan calls for ‘predictable approach’ to electrifying economy
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.
Dairy farmers' lack of climate action 'even bleaker' than water inaction – Upton
Wed 1 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Government projections for cutting agricultural emissions are being undermined by low farmer uptake, with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment warning the country is relying on “heroic” assumptions to meet its methane targets.
AI tool predicts wildfire danger faster than current systems
26 Mar 2026
Media release | A wildfire forecasting system powered by artificial intelligence could help detect dangerous fire conditions earlier and reduce the cost of wildfire response, according to new research from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
Record wind output helps shield the UK from worst of Iran war fallout
Wed 1 Apr 2026
Record output from wind farms has helped boost total clean power supplies in the United Kingdom to new highs so far in 2026, and allowed power firms to pare use of fossil fuels to multi-year lows.
