Topics tagged with 'Energy'
UN energy report falls short, says WFC
13 May 2011
The new IPCC report on renewable energy provides a litmus test for all policy makers, proving renewable energy is the world's number-one energy source in the future, but it falls short on concrete policy recommendations, the World Future Council says.
Market eyes Japan's nuclear plans
13 May 2011
Will Japan’s nuclear policy announcement keep NZU prices up? asks Carbon Market Solutions.
Greens hail success of Warm Up NZ
13 May 2011
The success of the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home insulation scheme is an example of smart, green economics at work, the Green Party says.
Who says homes can't be stylish ... and energy efficient?
6 May 2011
Warm dry homes needn’t be a luxury, says Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority chief executive Mike Underhill.
How high-tech can steer cars in right direction
29 Apr 2011
Technology that measures and penalises or rewards us for how we use our cars could be used to cut New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, says Business Council for Sustainable Development chief Peter Neilson.
Clark urges businesses to go low carbon
29 Apr 2011
Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark has made an international appeal for businesses to transform their enterprises into low-carbon operations that are environmentally sound and benefit communities.
NZ drags chain in drive for green growth
21 Apr 2011
All over the world, writes British High Commission first secretary TONY CLEMSON in a personal view, countries are going low-carbon and getting ready to reap the financial rewards. But not New Zealand.
Country expects to hit Kyoto targets
21 Apr 2011
New Zealand is on target to meet its Kyoto target without having to use overseas credits to offset our emissions, latest Government figures show.
We can cut carbon ... so why fudge the figures?
21 Apr 2011
New Zealand has a wealth of carbon-reduction opportunities - so why is it fudging figures to the United Nations, asks Sustainability Council executive director SIMON TERRY.
Carbon pollution climbs in Australia
21 Apr 2011
Carbon pollution is continuing to rise in Australia, according to latest figures from the Department of Climate Change.
EVENT: Taupo Clean Energy Centre open day, May 13
21 Apr 2011
The New Zealand Clean Energy Centre in Taupo will open its doors to the public next month.
Most Kiwis want renewables over fossil fuels
21 Apr 2011
Most New Zealanders do not support the Government’s strategy of prioritising more exploration and mining for fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas to sell off-shore, says WWF.
China on a clean energy roll
21 Apr 2011
China, the world’s biggest emitter, continues to power ahead in the green revolution, and has topped the Pew Environment Group's clean energy investment rankings for 2010.
Solid Energy hits out at Pike gas advice
15 Apr 2011
Solid Energy says the Government was wrong to listen to Pike River Coal's advice on methane gas emissions from coal mines.
CarboNZero steps out to stand alone
15 Apr 2011
Landcare’s carbon certification business carboNZero is being carved off into a stand-alone business.
Canberra okays $104m solar energy project
15 Apr 2011
One of the world’s biggest solar thermal projects has been given the green light by the Australian Government.
Consumer watchdog takes green firm to court
15 Apr 2011
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued proceedings against Global Green Plan Ltd alleging contempt of court.
Islands join NZ in collecting e-waste
15 Apr 2011
New Zealand’s eDay – the day on which electronic waste is collected for recycling or disposal – is to go regional.
Auckland boosts home insulation
15 Apr 2011
Auckland City Council is to launch a programme that will allow ratepayers to access the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart funding for home insulation and heating, and pay the difference over time through their rates bill.
Tasman eyes turn to energy efficiency
15 Apr 2011
Australia and New Zealand are to collaborate on energy efficiency measure for households and businesses.
EECA welcomes renewable energy stance
15 Apr 2011
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has welcomed the release of the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation.
Foresters see way to reduce ETS risk
8 Apr 2011
The Emissions Trading Scheme can be tweaked to reduce risk for the forestry sector without needing any taxpayer subsidy, the Forest Owners' Association says.
Wood processors want slice of the pie
8 Apr 2011
Wood processors want a slice of the scheme providing free carbon credits to trade-exposed industries.
We lack long-term thinking, say researchers
8 Apr 2011
The changes needed before New Zealand is using its fair share of the earth’s resources are far greater than most people realise, say two Victoria University sustainability researchers.
Green Africa envy of the world, says UN
8 Apr 2011
Africa is well poised to take advantage of a host of opportunities on the continent for building a green economy, says a senior United Nations official.
India orders first floating solar plant
8 Apr 2011
Australian solar power company Sunengy has entered into a partnership with India’s largest integrated private power utility, Tata Power, to build a pilot for its first floating solar-power plant, using patented Liquid Solar Array (LSA) technology.
A quiet week, but long-term outlook for higher carbon prices
8 Apr 2011
A quiet week for NZUs, with prices trading a $20.15 to $20.30 range, OMFinancial reports.
What the IEA thinks of our ETS
1 Apr 2011
The International Energy Agency says there is no guarantee New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme will actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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.
‘Pathetic': experts slam govt’s approach to adaptation
Today 11:00am
By Liz Kivi | The government has signalled it will step back from full property buyouts if assets are hit by climate disasters, a move adaptation experts say will condemn hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to a “dismal” future.
Methane pledge in question following NZ weakening targets
Today 11:00am
By Liz Kivi New Zealand’s new methane target puts the Global Methane Pledge – and ultimately climate targets – at risk, according to an international expert.
NZ needs to be part of a regional SAF strategy: Z, Air NZ
9 Sep 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand needs to be part of a regional strategic approach to sourcing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with domestic production less the aim than ensuring access to the fuel from one of a number of strategically positioned bio-refineries around the world.
Air NZ inks deal for its first internationally verified carbon credits
9 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Air New Zealand has committed to buying 8000 tonnes of carbon removals by 2030, in partnership with local native forest investment platform My Native Forest.
NZ not 'holding the line' on wilding pine management – experts
Wed 15 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand is no longer “holding the line” against invasive threats, with the country’s scale, remoteness and rugged terrain making control costly and complex, one expert has said ahead of this week's Wilding Pines Conference.
Researchers say sealing old oil wells with bio-oil from crop waste is a dual carbon-removal solution
19 Sep 2025
A new analysis shows that oil made from corn husks, wood chips, and other waste could plug greenhouse gas-belching abandoned oil wells while sequestering carbon for about $152 per ton.
Broker predicts all this year’s carbon auctions will fail
10 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Marex New Zealand is forecasting that the government will sell no ‘pollution permits’ at the NZU auctions this year, with a significant gap continuing between secondary market prices and this year’s $68 auction floor price.
EU plans support for countries affected by carbon border levy
Today 11:00am
The European Union will offer development funding to countries affected by the bloc's carbon border tariff, the European Commission said on Thursday, as it attempts to soothe developing economies' concerns over the policy.
Will govt’s light touch approach lead to higher carbon prices?
3 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Carbon market watchers are hoping the government’s plan for the electricity sector will eventually lead to higher carbon prices, with the secondary market still trading sideways for the longest time in its history.
Electricity to remain in ETS
1 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The Government has rejected Frontier Economics' recommendation that electricity should be removed from the Emissions Trading Scheme.
The merchants of doubt are back
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.
Milestone for NZ Steel electrification
10 Sep 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | NZ Steel has passed an installation milestone for its new electric arc furnace, which will reduce emissions from the Glenbrook steel mill site by as much as one megatonne (1Mt) a year.
UN limits staff at COP30 climate summit over accommodation concerns
19 Sep 2025
High hotel prices for Brazil's COP30 climate summit in November have prompted the United Nations to urge its staff to limit attendance, while government delegations are still scrambling to find rooms within their budgets.
All carrot, no stick for farmers on methane
Fri 17 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | COMMENT: The abandonment of methane emissions pricing and the adoption of a weaker target is effectively the last nail in the coffin of the historic cross-parliamentary consensus embedded in the Zero Carbon Act 2019.
From nuisance to crisis: New report on pest wasps In Aotearoa
24 Sep 2025
Media release: Moths and Butterflies NZ Trust | Just published is the Final Report of the Pest Wasps Survey carried out by the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust (MBNZT) offering a comprehensive look at New Zealanders’ awareness, experiences, and attitudes toward wasps and the growing ecological, health, and social issues associated with them.
Govt pours millions into Canterbury flood defences
Today 11:00am
By Jonathan Leask, Local Democracy Reporter | Canterbury’s flood defences are set for a major boost, with $21.5 million in Government co-funding to fast-track nine priority river protection projects.
NZ marine heatwaves could double in intensity under high-emissions pathway
Thu 16 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New projections show marine heatwaves will grow more intense around the North Island and more frequent around the South Island as the climate warms – raising risks for fisheries, aquaculture, coastal ecosystems and tourism.
World falling far behind deforestation goals with farms and fires driving loss, report says
Wed 15 Oct 2025
The report said the world permanently lost 8.1 million hectares (20 million acres) of forest, an area about the size of England, in 2024 alone.
‘Damp squib’ – Govt energy plan slammed for locking in fossil fuels
2 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Critics across business, climate groups and the opposition say the Government’s electricity reforms duck structural change, double down on LNG and gas, and offer little relief for soaring power prices – warning of an “expensive white elephant", deeper energy poverty and a missed chance to scale renewables.
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.”
Climate investment is only growth opportunity of 21st century, says leading economist
Wed 15 Oct 2025
Investment in climate action is the economic growth story of the 21st century, while growth fuelled by fossil fuels is futile because the damage it causes ends in self-destruction, the economist Nicholas Stern has said.
Difficult trade-offs ahead for climate adaptation
Fri 17 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | While climate impacts are already here, bringing the urgent need to accelerate effective adaptation now, the Government's newly minted adaptation framework still leaves important questions unanswered about who will pay.
Climate credibility gap widening for Aussie firms
1 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Australian public companies’ climate change commitments are in retreat, reflecting difficulty in achieving stated targets and increased fossil use, but not because of any pressure to make less effort, according to a study of major companies’ ESG reporting.
Coal imports up 650%
12 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams and Liz Kivi | Coal imports are up 650% as generators stockpile the most polluting fossil fuel ahead of next winter.
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.
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.
Judge dismisses suit by young climate activists against Trump’s pro-fossil fuel policies
Fri 17 Oct 2025
Plaintiffs had ‘overwhelming evidence’ of climate crisis but a court injunction would be ‘unworkable’, ruling says.
'Non-negotiable' – EU carbon pricing to hit Kiwi exporters, expert warns
11 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | High carbon exports will inevitably face a high carbon tax at the EU border, possibly in the next five years, and high methane agricultural products might not be exempt, an international expert told a local audience yesterday.
Deep sea mining threatens sharks, rays and ghost sharks
6 Oct 2025
Mining the world’s deep seas for metals will likely threaten many species of sharks, rays and chimaeras (ghost sharks), according to researchers.
Govt promises ‘earlier action’ in response to Commission’s warning climate targets at risk
Fri 17 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government says it will “explore opportunities for earlier action” ahead of the third Emissions Reduction Plan, and has committed to looking at ways to stop the system of free carbon credits for industrial polluters from disincentivising industrial decarbonisation.
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.
‘Weird and sad’ – Tuvalu Climate Minister condemns NZ halving methane target
Wed 15 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Dr Maina Talia, Tuvalu’s Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, says he’s surprised at New Zealand’s decision to weaken its target for reducing methane emissions – and is planning to take up the issue with his counterpart Climate Minister Simon Watts this week.
NZ’s biggest ever climate meeting kicks off
Tue 14 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The world's largest climate adaptation conference kicked off in Christchurch yesterday, with nearly 2000 attendees expected, making it potentially the biggest international climate meeting Aotearoa New Zealand will ever host.
Bottom trawling a triple threat to marine environments - new report
9 Oct 2025
Media release | Greenpeace is calling for urgent action to restrict bottom trawling after a new government report highlights the compounding effects this destructive fishing method has on climate change, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.
Lobby group launches ‘blueprint’ for ocean management reform
18 Sep 2025
The Environmental Defence Society yesterday released its plan to tackle widespread ecological decline in our oceans.
Electricity Authority proposes doubling solar export limits to 10 kW
Today 11:00am
The Electricity Authority is proposing a default 10kW export limit for small-scale generation, saying new inverter standards and voltage settings allow homes and businesses to feed more power into local networks without compromising safety.
Students repeat request for Victoria University to divest from fossil fuel investments
24 Sep 2025
Media release | A group of students campaigning for climate action at Victoria University of Wellington have dropped a banner protesting against the university’s lack of action on its 2014 commitment to divest from fossil fuels.
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.
Record global renewable energy growth remains short of climate target, report says
Thu 16 Oct 2025
A new report finds that a record amount of global renewable energy capacity was added last year, but that still leaves countries “short of targets towards meeting a UN climate goal to triple capacity by 2030”.
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.
Climate scientists and republican lawyers are taking aim at Big Tech’s emissions
Fri 17 Oct 2025
Technology companies have long been one of the biggest investors in clean energy, but new accounting rules could upend that.
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.
Landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions in tatters after US pressure
Today 11:00am
A landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions has been abandoned after Saudi Arabia and the US succeeded in ending the talks.
Where’s Watts? Climate Minister no-show at climate conference
Thu 16 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Opposition parties have slammed the Climate Change Minister’s failure to front up to a major international conference in Christchurch, saying it shows that climate adaptation is a low priority for the National Party.
Fix it, don't ditch it: University of Auckland hosts first Repair Cafe
9 Oct 2025
Media release - Auckland University | The University's first-ever Repair Cafe is bringing students and staff together to give broken items a new lease on life, while promoting a culture of repair and reuse.
Farmers face heightened solvency risks as climate changes: research
10 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Increasingly volatile weather patterns, higher insurance costs driven by climate change risk and global financial volatility represent risks to New Zealand farmers’ capacity to service debt and remain solvent, according to new research by Christchurch-based research firm Kōmanawa Solutions.
‘Con,’ ‘scam,’ ‘hoax’: Trump’s UN speech on climate
24 Sep 2025
The president used a large chunk of his hour-long speech to world leaders to condemn climate science and clean energy policies.
Trump administration moves to revoke permit for Massachusetts offshore wind project
24 Sep 2025
The Trump administration has moved to block a Massachusetts offshore wind farm, its latest effort to hobble an industry and technology that President Donald Trump has attacked as “ugly” and unreliable compared to fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
