Topics tagged with 'Energy'
‘More needs be done’ to restore energy market confidence: Energy Council
27 May 2025
The Business NZ Energy Council (BEC) welcomed the Government’s gas announcement as signalling “willingness to deal with parts of the issue from an energy supply perspective and aims to rebuild confidence in the sector”.
Govt consulting on hydrogen
26 May 2025
The government is consulting on proposed regulatory options for the development of naturally occurring and orange hydrogen.
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.
Media round-up
23 May 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: What is behind delays to a taxpayer-funded methane satellite? Is carbon capture a fossil fuel industry scam? and David Hall argues that efficient forms of energy are not "lesser evils."
NZ moving too slowly to decarbonise – former commission chair
22 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand's energy transition is too slow and too controlled by vested interests, according to former Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr.
Public distrust over electricity sector
22 May 2025
A poll found that nearly half of New Zealanders feel more concerned about their power bill than last year and believe breaking up the electricity gentailers could improve competition.
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.
Carbon price too low to fund carbon capture
20 May 2025
The government’s climate target to 2030 is at risk, after revelations that a carbon capture project which the government was relying on to deliver one third of its carbon reductions, might not go ahead.
Flick flicked on
20 May 2025
There is a certain irony that one of the most vocal and public critics of the gentailers and the electricity market – Flick Electric – has been taken over by the largest gentailer – Meridian Energy.
Australia is unlikely to hit its renewable energy goal, Wood Mackenzie says
20 May 2025
Australia is set to fall far short of its target of 82% renewable generation by 2030 due to state-level rollbacks, grid connection delays and inadequate investment, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said on Thursday.
Transpower will keep gas and carbon trading platform
19 May 2025
Transpower will continue to own and operate its gas and carbon trading platform emsTradepoint for the foreseeable future, it announced this morning.
Nature is not an economic handbrake: Environmental Defence Society
16 May 2025
Nature is not a handbrake on economic growth – the two must go hand in hand, attendees heard on the final day of the Environmental Defence Society’s Dollars and Sense conference this week.
Energy Australia is in court accused of greenwashing. What is the case about and why is it significant?
16 May 2025
Climate group alleges energy giant misled 400,000 customers about ‘Go Neutral’ product, arguing that carbon credits don’t actually remove emissions.
Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time
16 May 2025
For the first time, the growth in China’s clean power generation has caused the nation’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to fall despite rapid power demand growth.
What is life like in the shadow of solar farms?
15 May 2025
Plans to turn land being used for the production of food into farms harvesting the power of the sun often see campaigns fought through the planning process.
Greens promise to rapidly reduce emissions in new Green Budget
14 May 2025
By Shannon Williams | The Green Party has unveiled its alternative Green Budget, promising bold investments to tackle the climate crisis and deliver cleaner air, water, and soil.
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.
Ampol exits retail electricity, Meridian takes on customers
14 May 2025
Media release | Meridian Energy Limited (Meridian) has entered into an agreement with Z Energy (100% owned by Ampol Limited (Ampol) (that will see Flick and Z Energy customer contracts and the related hedge book move to Meridian.
Coal India to set up $3 billion worth clean energy projects to boost renewable heft
14 May 2025
The world’s largest government-owned coal producer will set up clean energy projects of around 4.5 gigawatts at a cost of 250 billion rupees (about $3 billion), it said on Thursday, as it aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its operations.
Owning a green home could cut mortgage payback time by two years
9 May 2025
A green certified home plus a green mortgage and associated energy bill savings could save Kiwi families up to $98,800 over the course of their mortgage - the equivalent of being mortgage-free several years early, according to new research.
Govt pledges to slash building emissions
8 May 2025
The government is signing up to an international agreement aimed at decarbonising the building and construction sector in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
NZ could ditch 8 million fossil fuel machines right now to slash emissions
7 May 2025
The majority of the country’s ten million fossil fuel machines could be replaced cost-effectively with electric equivalents right now, new research from Rewiring Aotearoa has revealed.
Green Party plans to bring back industry decarbonisation fund
6 May 2025
The Greens want to bring back the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Fund and use it to kickstart sustainable forestry for building and fuel.
Genesis reports rising coal, declining gas
2 May 2025
Talks about the future of the third Rankine unit at Huntly continue as Genesis reported a third quarter result that showed the rise of coal and the decline of gas.
Energy sector urged to act early to cut risks, build winter buffer
1 May 2025
Transpower has clarified the process for accessing emergency hydro storage ahead of winter 2025, responding to concerns about New Zealand’s security of electricity supply amid a historically dry start to the year.
EECA and Centre for Sustainable Finance partner to unlock private capital for clean energy
1 May 2025
Media release | The Centre for Sustainable Finance: Toitū Tahua (CSF) and EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) have, today, announced a strategic partnership to accelerate private investment in New Zealand’s energy transition. This collaboration aims to address barriers to financing renewable energy projects and energy efficiency projects.
MEUG welcomes the launch of the Energy Transition Framework
30 Apr 2025
Media release | The Framework brings together generation, retail, the local lines companies and national grid operator Transpower to navigate toward a low-carbon electrified future.
Massive power outage in Spain and Portugal leaves thousands stranded and millions without light
30 Apr 2025
An unprecedented blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill Monday.
Govt announces plan for EV chargers
28 Apr 2025
The government has opted for a model based on the ultra-fast broadband rollout to boost electric vehicle charger numbers.
Environmental lawyers get ready to pounce on Trump’s energy deregulation moves
24 Apr 2025
U.S. environmental groups say they are hiring lawyers and preparing for a major legal showdown with President Donald Trump's administration over its rapid-fire and sweeping efforts to sidestep federal regulations on oil, gas and coal development.
Govt can auction more carbon credits: Commission’s advice
23 Apr 2025
The Climate Change Commission says that ‘surplus’ pollution permits in the market have dropped more quickly than expected, so the government could auction 14 million additional NZUs to 2030.
NZ provides $10 million boost to Vanuatu's renewable energy efforts
17 Apr 2025
New Zealand is boosting support to Vanuatu to recover from last year’s earthquake and develop its renewable energy sector to the tune of NZ$10 million.
Pacific families on the food scraps revolution – and how to avoid maggots
16 Apr 2025
By Mary Afemata, Local Democracy Reporter| Tomato crops are thriving in Reporoa, powered by what Aucklanders are throwing in their green bins.
NZ's emissions fell 2% in 2023 - latest GHG inventory
15 Apr 2025
Aotearoa New Zealand’s gross greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 2% in 2023, according to the latest greenhouse gas inventory.
Procurement changes "backward" – Green Building Council
15 Apr 2025
Removing procurement requirements for independent sustainability and energy efficiency benchmarking is a backward step, and fails to consider the impact of the changes, according to The New Zealand Green Building Council.
Environmental summit to tackle costs of economic reform
14 Apr 2025
As the government pushes ahead with sweeping reforms to unlock economic growth, the upcoming Environmental Defence Society annual summit will ask a critical question: at what cost?
Australia: Coalition clarifies commitment to Paris Agreement after confusion on climate targets
14 Apr 2025
The federal Coalition has clarified it remains committed to the Paris climate accord, despite earlier comments from the shadow energy minister indicating it could leave the agreement.
US: New energy order puts states’ climate laws in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice
14 Apr 2025
A new executive order from President Donald Trump that’s part of his effort to invigorate energy production raises the possibility that his Department of Justice will go to court against state climate change laws aimed at slashing planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution from fossil fuels.
Emissions down but reductions have slowed
10 Apr 2025
While New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 11% in the past five years, reductions have slowed down, with only a 1% drop from 2023 to 2024.
Experts slam govt decision to wind down green investment bank
9 Apr 2025
The government’s move to scrap its green investment bank is a step backwards for emissions reductions and doesn’t stack up with the National Party’s economic and energy transition strategies, according to sustainable finance experts.
Can the future of energy be affordable, secure and sustainable?
9 Apr 2025
Media release | Global experts are coming together to address the challenge of creating energy solutions that are both sustainable and achievable by 2050.
Power-sector CO2 hits ‘all-time high’ in 2024 despite record growth for clean energy
9 Apr 2025
Emissions from the sector increased by 1.6% year-on-year, to reach a record high of 14.6bn tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2).
Labor’s home batteries policy could help Australians who will never take it up. Here’s how
9 Apr 2025
The government’s promise to slash the cost of household batteries should be welcomed – it could drive a change that benefits everyone who uses the power grid.
Trump’s tariff tantrum won’t stop the global energy transition
9 Apr 2025
Trump has such a passion for tariffs he even imposed them on Antarctic islands – home only to penguins, who presumably pose a grave threat to American industry.
ETS stockpile up nearly 7 million
8 Apr 2025
The stockpile of privately held Emissions Trading Scheme pollution permits increased 6.7 million to 157.1 million units in the three months to March 31, according to figures released by the Environmental Protection Authority yesterday.
Avoiding a repeat of winter 2025
8 Apr 2025
An analysis predicts that there is a strong probability the electricity sector will get through this winter without any generation shortfalls and avoid the wholesale price excesses of last year - if all goes to plan and diesel is not required for extended periods.
Biofuels key to food security and shipping resilience for NZ
7 Apr 2025
By Shannon Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand's reliance on imported fossil fuels poses significant risks for food security and shipping resilience in the face of global catastrophes, according to experts speaking at a recent webinar on biofuel self-sufficiency.
Finland's last active coal-fired power and heat plant shuts down
7 Apr 2025
Finland's last coal-fired power and heat plant in active production will shut down permanently on Tuesday, enabling Helsinki energy group Helen to cut its emissions and put an end to rising energy costs for its customers, its chief executive said.
Construction starts on New Zealand’s largest solar farm
4 Apr 2025
Media release | Construction on New Zealand’s largest solar farm project has officially begun at Te Aroha in Waikato, marking a significant milestone for the country’s renewable energy future.
Risky business – banks must consider climate risks, commissioner says
3 Apr 2025
Banks considering climate risks is prudent business practice, not just environmental activism, according to Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton.
Are New Zealanders anti-climate?
Fri 29 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A global study claims New Zealanders have relatively anti-climate attitudes due New Zealand's "stable" climate belief systems – but one expert argues Kiwis accept the reality of climate change.
'Atrocious' and 'bizarre': experts slam Act Party's climate policy
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Act Party is promising to challenge New Zealand’s Paris Agreement climate target, while the coalition Government’s other minor partner, NZ First, also says it wants to reevaluate the country’s commitment to the international treaty.
Air NZ declares surprisingly low SAF prices
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Air New Zealand is able to source sustainable aviation fuel at between 1.5 and 2.5 times the price of conventional fossil fuels used for flying, all sourced from the US.
Flying still cheaper than trains on most EU routes, study finds
25 Aug 2025
If you thought European cross-border train journeys might finally be easier on the wallet than flights, think again.
NZ to host major conference on oceans and climate change
26 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is set to host the world’s premier gathering of marine climate change scientists next year.
Media round-up
15 Aug 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Australia could be about to leapfrog New Zealand on climate targets; 'strangled' rivers are fighting back; and 10 rangatahi will join Aotearoa New Zealand’s delegation at the United Nations' major climate conference in Brazil.
Are carbon credits becoming more acceptable?
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Google, Microsoft and SAP are just some of the companies starting to use, and talk about, carbon credits, which could lead to growth of carbon markets.
Welcome to Europe’s future Carbon Valley
Today 11:00am
Industrial clusters in Europe’s heartland look to carbon capture and storage to turn CO2 from climate liability into a commercial resource.
Carbon market still weak despite govt confirming tighter auction supply
28 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government’s commitment to keeping Emissions Trading Scheme auction volumes tight to 2030 has done little to buoy carbon prices, with an underwhelming response from the market following last week’s announcement.
Marginal drop in last year's regional emissions
27 Aug 2025
Regional greenhouse gas emissions were down slightly last year, with a fall in gas supply leading to a big drop in Taranaki, but more coal burnt leading to higher emissions in Waikato, according to new figures from Stats NZ
The merchants of doubt are back
Wed 3 Sep 2025
OPINION: If you don’t follow climate policy closely, you might not know that the Trump administration is launching an effort to overturn one of the most fundamental pillars of American climate policy.
What does 'drier' really mean in 'green' homes?
1 Aug 2025
Media release - Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland | Researchers say green-rating systems could improve clarity and effectiveness by explicitly defining ‘drier’ and using two measures of humidity.
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.”
Toitū extending use of ETS forest carbon credits
25 Aug 2025
By Liz Kivi | Carbon certifier Toitū Envirocare has walked back plans to stop accepting Emissions Trading Scheme credits for offsetting, because there is still a shortage of local carbon credits meeting international standards.
Key orange roughy population on verge of collapse, govt considers closure
9 Jul 2025
Media release - Deep Sea Conservation Coalition | New data reveals that New Zealand’s main orange roughy fishery, accounting for half of the country’s total catch, is on the brink of collapse, with one model showing it may have reached that point already, and the government’s considering closing it.
Forest carbon stores massive blind spot - study
Today 11:00am
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand’s planted forests hold significant deep soil organic carbon — with over half of it stored below 30 cm, and much of it over 1,000 years old.
Time for Methanex to go – expert
Tue 2 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's looming gas crisis means Methanex should move elsewhere, according to sustainable energy expert Ralph Sims.
A modest geothermal strategy
31 Jul 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The Government has unveiled a far more modest geothermal energy strategy than its primary backer, Resources Minister Shane Jones, had sought.
India-Japan joint credit mechanism clears way for Paris goals amid North-South climate gridlocks
Today 11:00am
It offers strong bilateral model to scale climate finance, localise low-carbon technologies.
Hotter, longer, more frequent: NZ’s escalating heat risk
26 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Heat extremes in New Zealand will intensify faster than previously thought, according to a new study.
Greenpeace to forge ahead with legal fight after Fonterra sale
28 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Greenpeace says its greenwashing lawsuit against Fonterra will continue, despite the dairy giant selling off its consumer brands.
Shane Jones on climate change – it’s real, but…
15 Aug 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones believes climate change is real, but is uninterested in what is causing it and primarily focused on adapting to it.
Hiringa eyes green methanol plant near Whanganui
29 Jul 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Green hydrogen pioneer Hiringa Energy is deep in planning to develop an “eight-to-nine figure” methanol plant near Whanganui, using a combination of biomass and hydrogen produced using renewable energy.
Media round-up
Fri 29 Aug 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: Changes to road user charges will increase New Zealand's emissions; Climate Change Minister Simon Watts promises better access to hazard data for homeowners; and Kiwis borrow over $1 billion in ‘green loans’ for heat pumps and electric cars.
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.
Apple Watch not a 'CO2-neutral product,' German court finds
28 Aug 2025
Apple can no longer advertise its Apple Watch as a "CO2-neutral product" in Germany, following a court ruling on Tuesday that upheld a complaint from environmentalists, finding that the U.S. tech company had misled consumers.
UK Conservatives pledge to get all oil and gas out of North Sea
Tue 2 Sep 2025
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party will remove all net zero requirements on oil and gas companies drilling in the North Sea if elected.
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.
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout.
Media round-up
22 Aug 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The climate advice the government didn't want you to see; New Zealand's groundbreaking climate law has become ‘a shell’; and could the Electricity Authority be about to inadvertently increase power prices?
Govt resilience plan 'dangerous fantasy' - thinktank
Fri 29 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | An independent thinktank, whose members include former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer and multiple academics, is warning that the government’s long-term resilience strategy ignores physical and energy realities and exposes Kiwi households and businesses to systemic failure.
‘Plastic Cup’ competitions are cleaning up rivers in Hungary
Mon 1 Sep 2025
Afloat on DIY boats, teams of volunteers have removed over 450 tons of plastic waste from the Danube and its tributaries.
Significant environmental law reform risks NZ going from leader to laggard
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New legislation must strengthen environmental safeguards and policy-makers must approach reform with extreme caution, according to Environmental Defence Society reform director Dr Greg Severinsen in a new report.
How oil has brought Russia, China and India closer
Today 11:00am
Monday's meeting between Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi marked a rare display of solidarity - and an opportunity for Putin to engage directly with his country's top oil buyers.
Coal mining company continuing with fast-track plans despite costly protest
22 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A marathon 23-day coal bucket occupation protesting Bathurst Resources' plan to mine the Denniston Plateau ended on Tuesday, when Climate Liberation Aotearoa activists Rachel Andrews and Tāmati Taptiklis climbed down from the 80-metre high Stockton mine ropeway and were taken into custody.
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.
NZ homes could be fully solar-powered by 2032
Today 11:00am
Media release - Harrisons Solar | A surge in solar capacity has put New Zealand on track to generate enough solar energy to power every home in the country within the next seven years, according to new research.
Aotearoa's waters teeming with undiscovered seaweed species, scientist says
Today 11:00am
Media release - Earth Sciences New Zealand | Scientists believe they’re only seeing a snapshot of what could be living in our subantarctic islands and deep waters.
Climate groups want UK wealth tax to make super-rich fund sustainable economy
17 Jul 2025
Growing number of campaigners urge government to ensure green investment is not done ‘on backs of the poor’.
AI ‘slop’ websites are publishing climate science denial
Wed 3 Sep 2025
This appears to confirm the concerns of technology experts who have warned that AI “has the potential to turbocharge climate disinformation”.
Last minute change to oil and gas legislation over cleanup costs
31 Jul 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government is expected to repeal the oil and gas ban today, with a last-minute amendment handing discretionary power to two ministers over the controversial issue of decommissioning.
Tesla sales plunge 40% in Europe as Chinese EV rival BYD’s triple
Mon 1 Sep 2025
Sales of Tesla cars in Europe plunged in July, in the company’s seventh consecutive month of declines, while Chinese rival BYD saw a monthly surge.
Brazil issues last-ditch plea for countries to submit climate plans ahead of COP30
20 Aug 2025
Only 28 countries have submitted carbon-cutting proposals to the UN, with some of the biggest emitters yet to produce plans.
Proposal hikes Nelson landfill gate fees
Fri 29 Aug 2025
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | The cost of recycling is driving up landfill dumping costs in Nelson where gate fees are proposed to be hiked by $45 per tonne.
Gisborne art show highlights weather impact on well-being
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter|A Gisborne artist and community researcher is turning a study on how severe weather impacts health and wellbeing into an art exhibition.
Record UK wildfires have burned an area twice the size of Glasgow in 2025
12 Aug 2025
Wildfires have scorched more than 40,000 hectares of land so far this year across the UK – an area more than twice the size of the Scottish city of Glasgow.
Profound shifts in our changing energy system – new data
27 Aug 2025
New Zealand’s energy system is undergoing a profound shift as falling gas production and a dry hydro year reshaped the electricity market in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Energy in New Zealand 2025.
