Topics tagged with 'Energy'
Greens: Emissions target is green-washing
1 Apr 2011
The Government’s greenhouse gas emissions target is little more than green-washing, said the Green Party.
Emissions target inadequate, says WWF
1 Apr 2011
WWF says the government's 50-by-50 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target is totally inadequate.
All going well as emitters file first returns
1 Apr 2011
Government officials say the first round of returns for emitters has gone well - by they're not releasing details yet.
FORUM: It's our job to think long term
1 Apr 2011
New Zealand Institute director Rick Boven argues for long-term thinking in the face of environmental contstraints.
The business of marine energy, May 25 and 26
1 Apr 2011
The growing maturity of marine energy both here and overseas will be the theme of this year's Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association (Awatea) conference in Wellington.
National standards smooth way
1 Apr 2011
Australian company EnviroDevelopment has released its first set of national certification standards.
Scientists show biochar slashes animal gas
25 Mar 2011
New Zealand scientists have proved that emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from animal urine can be cut drastically by adding biochar to the soil.
How Europe found other ways to cut emissions
25 Mar 2011
Europe has found that you don’t have to bring every industry into an emissions trading regime to get them to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, the panel reviewing the New Zealand scheme is about to hear.
Kiwi carbon player goes it alone
25 Mar 2011
London-based international carbon-trading company EcoSecurities and its New Zealand partner have ended their formal relationship.
Ministers reveal more carbon details
25 Mar 2011
The Australian Government has released more details about its plans to put a price on carbon.
Workers take climate petition to Canberra
25 Mar 2011
Australian miners, nurses and metalworkers are joining forces to call for urgent and decisive action on climate change.
Forum: How Israel watches its water
25 Mar 2011
Israel’s estimated US$3.5 billion in annual water technology-related exports helps countries around the world squeeze the most out of every drop, writes Shemi Tzur, Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand.
Kaipara key first step, says energy group
25 Mar 2011
Approval for the Crest Energy project on the Kaipara Harbour is the first step toward New Zealand achieving a meaningful marine energy supply, says the Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association.
Quake cripples Nissan’s e-car production line
25 Mar 2011
By JEFF SIEGEL, Energy & Capital. Last year, 13,000 drivers ponied up deposits to reserve a LEAF, Nissan's first all-electric vehicle.
Scientists seek concrete answers
25 Mar 2011
Understanding how climate change could impact on the deterioration of concrete is crucial to ensuring major assets such as roads, ports and buildings continue to perform up to expectations, according to Australian scientists.
Forum: Why we must focus on the whole environment
25 Mar 2011
Waikato University’s new professor of environmental planning, Bob Evans, is concerned at the way in which New Zealand, like the world’s other prosperous economies, is continuing to pursue economic growth despite the long-term dangers inherent in this. He explains:
Greens push for a green Christchurch
25 Mar 2011
The new Christchurch Ministry needs to have a focus on sustainability from the start, says the Green Party.
Price on move as carbon booms in Europe
18 Mar 2011
New Zealand’s carbon credits are running hot on the back of soaring prices in Europe.
Crest gets nod for Kaipara tidal plant
18 Mar 2011
New Zealand’s first tidal energy scheme has got the go-ahead.
Biodiesel co-op wants to expand
18 Mar 2011
New Zealand’s first biodiesel co-operative is celebrating its first birthday with plans to expand into other towns.
How Australia helps China to repair the damage
18 Mar 2011
Austrade’s DAVID DUKES examines the opportunities for Australian remediation firms in light of China’s resources boom:
Australia, Germany sign solar pact
18 Mar 2011
Australia and Germany are to work together in a bid to accelerate technological breakthroughs in solar energy.
Labour: All councils should look at solar
18 Mar 2011
The Labour Party is calling on all local councils to follow Auckland's example and make solar hot-water heating affordable.
Fukushima drama affects carbon price
18 Mar 2011
Recent events have demonstrated how intertwined New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme is with the global financial and carbon markets, says Carbon Market Solutions.
The day will come when you'll beg for $4 petrol
18 Mar 2011
By Nick Hodge. The long-term bull market in energy is on.
Shopping centre plans to celebrate
18 Mar 2011
As part of its long-term sustainable retail plan, Tauranga's Bayfair Shopping Centre is taking part in one of the world’s largest climate change initiatives – Earth Hour 2011.
Winemaker urges Earth Hour action
18 Mar 2011
A carbon-neutral winemaker is urging New Zealand to say cheers to Mother Earth this Earth Hour.
ETS PAPER 1: Businesses feel the costs
11 Mar 2011
The Emissions Trading Scheme has increased the cost of electricity and fuel for businesses by about 1 per cent of revenue, the panel reviewing the scheme says.
New Christchurch could show world the way
11 Mar 2011
Post-quake Christchurch could be a world-leading example of a sustainable city, an expert says.
Industrial emitters lodge first returns
11 Mar 2011
The first industrial emissions returns have been lodged with the Ministry of Economic Development.
Taupo centre showcases clean energy
11 Mar 2011
A centre designed to accelerate New Zealand’s adoption of clean energy technologies will open in Taupo next month.
Kawerau mill wins forest award
11 Mar 2011
The Kawerau paper mill has been awarded the Forest Stewardship Council chain of custody certification.
Emissions target unrealistic, says lobbyist
4 Mar 2011
The natural resources sector is warning the Government that it’s unlikely to meet its target of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Windflow happy with UK tariff change
4 Mar 2011
New Zealand turbine maker Windflow Technologies say it does not expect a review of feed-in tariffs in the United Kingdom to affect business.
Waikato wind farm wins approval
4 Mar 2011
A new Waikato wind farm has been given a conditional go-ahead.
Emissions fall as coal goes out of fashion
4 Mar 2011
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling as the country turns away from using coal to generate electricity.
BOC signs long=term clean energy deal
4 Mar 2011
Australian gases and engineering company BOC says it secured a long-term industrial gas supply contract worth $A1 billion with a company planning to use clean energy technology to feed the world.
Australia sets date for carbon scheme
25 Feb 2011
Australia will have a price on carbon by July next year.
Labour: It's the same old story
25 Feb 2011
The Labour Party says the opposition in Australia to putting a price on carbon is reminiscent of what happened in New Zealand.
Garnaut about to tell it like it is
25 Feb 2011
The man who wants Australia to spend more than $3 billion a year on green technologies is about to tell his country how well it’s doing.
Geothermal best bet, says Contact
25 Feb 2011
Geothermal energy is New Zealand’s most strategically important renewable energy resource, says Contact Energy.
LanzaTech signs with Korean giant
25 Feb 2011
New Zealand's LanzaTech has signed a memorandum of understanding with one of the largest steel producers in the world to turn its flue gases to ethanol.
The video footage that terrifies power companies
25 Feb 2011
By Nick Hodge. They won’t announce it yet, but utility companies are shaking in their boots.
Sell CERs and bank the profit, broker says
25 Feb 2011
Spot NZUs traded higher this week, touching a high of $19.60, OMFinancial reports.
Lignite mining could send emissions soaring
18 Feb 2011
Solid Energy’s proposed lignite projects in Southland could add 10 million to 20 million tonnes to New Zealand’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Windfarm decision worries developers
18 Feb 2011
A decision to let only part of the proposed Tiritea wind farm go ahead has got wind energy developers worried.
UN chief calls for a global revolution
18 Feb 2011
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a “revolution” in how the world defines prosperity and relates to nature.
Flannery to head Climate Commission
18 Feb 2011
Respected science communicator Professor Tim Flannery has been named head of an independent Climate Commission in Australia.
US investors ask enviro questions
18 Feb 2011
American investors are asking coal, energy and oil companies about their exposure to risks from climate change – and want executive pay linked to environmental performance.
Climate progress slowing, says Auckland councillor
Thu 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.
Fed Farmers launches campaign against carbon forestry
Fri 6 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Federated Farmers has launched what they are calling the ‘Save Our Sheep’ campaign, blaming carbon forestry for declining sheep numbers and calling on the government to urgently review the Emissions Trading Scheme.
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.
Microplastics found in sand on dozens of NZ beaches
Wed 4 Jun 2025
Scientists have extracted microplastics from the sand of 22 beaches from the Far North to Banks Peninsula.
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.
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.
Global energy investment set to hit record $3.3 trillion in 2025, IEA says
Fri 6 Jun 2025
A surge in clean energy spending is expected to drive a record $3.3 trillion in global energy investment in 2025, despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday.
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.
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.
Trump’s actions are already having consequences for climate, especially for the IPCC - expert
11 Apr 2025
Leading climate scientist, Dr Kevin Trenberth, left the US and came home to New Zealand because of the rise of Donald Trump. In this comment piece, he writes that he is appalled in multiple ways by the so-called “war on science” unfolding through staff cuts and the president’s policy edicts.
Common low-grade clay strengthens low-carbon concrete
Thu 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.
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.
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
Fri 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.
Oceans Commission must have teeth – minister
14 May 2025
If an Oceans Commission were to be established under the government it would need genuine powers to make change, says Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones.
Biochar's negative emissions tech coming to Fieldays
Fri 6 Jun 2025
Biochar Network New Zealand will showcase its negative emissions technology biochar at this year's Forestry Hub at Fieldays 2025.
Gas supply reducing faster than forecast
Thu 5 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Gas reserves have reduced 27% as of 1 January 2025 compared to last year, according to data released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Hotter and deeper: how NZ’s plan to drill for ‘supercritical’ geothermal energy holds promise and risk
2 Apr 2025
By David Dempsey, University of Canterbury | New Zealand’s North Island features a number of geothermal systems, several of which are used to generate some 1,000 MegaWatts of electricity. But deeper down there may be even more potential.
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.
How the little-known ‘dark roof’ lobby may be making US cities hotter
Fri 6 Jun 2025
As cities heat up, reflective roofs could lower energy bills and help the climate. But dark-roofing manufacturers are waging a quiet campaign to block new rules.
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.
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?
Tue 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.
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.
Waste Levy risks becoming ‘slush fund’ under proposed changes – Commissioner
Thu 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.
Top ocean experts sound the alarm over growing marine crisis due to climate change
Fri 6 Jun 2025
On the opening day of a global science conference, French fishery scientist Clea Abello presented research showing that marine protected areas could protect commercially valuable fisheries.
Tech alone won’t save us, warns climate expert
Wed 4 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Technology alone won't be enough to reach net zero emissions, environmental psychologist Lorraine Whitmarsh told the Carbon and Energy Professionals conference in Auckland last week.
New research reveals NZ’s natural resource footprint
29 May 2025
Media release | New research from the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment reveals that about 107 million tonnes of natural resources were required to produce the goods and services consumed by New Zealanders in 2019 – approximately 21 tonnes per person on average.
NZ's first chance in 20 years to catch up on waste
30 May 2025
Media release | The government has announced proposals for updating the Waste Minimisation Act and the Litter Act. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Kiwis have a chance to catch up with other countries to reduce our waste and litter.
Dismissals 'massive win' for climate movement
13 May 2025
The outstanding charges against 25 climate activists who disrupted traffic in Wellington have been dropped, a move the group calls a win for the climate movement.
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.
UK’s solar power surges 42% after sunniest spring on record
Fri 6 Jun 2025
The UK’s solar farms and rooftops generated more electricity than ever before in the first five months of 2025, as the country enjoyed its sunniest spring on record.
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".
US: Clean energy project cancellations top $14 Billion so far in 2025
Wed 4 Jun 2025
Businesses have pulled the plug on big projects amid Trump’s retreat on climate action. But plenty remain in the pipeline, awaiting a Congressional decision on tax credits.
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
Tue 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.
Europe’s next climate target may already have been agreed in Berlin
28 May 2025
Germany’s new coalition has adopted a climate stance shaped by talks with the EU’s top climate official, signalling where the bloc may land on a likely upcoming 2040 emissions target.
Water crisis on the horizon?
26 May 2025
Media release | Sewage contaminating Auckland oyster farms highlights the “dire state” of water infrastructure in Aotearoa, says University of Auckland Associate Professor Daniel Hikuroa.
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.
