Topics tagged with 'Transport'
Fossil fuel investment will damage NZ's reputation
9 Sep 2011
Pure Advantage says that the Government’s Energy Strategy is an attempt for New Zealand to have its cake and eat it too.
Colin Powell's got Karma … so has Leonardo
9 Sep 2011
By Jeff Siegel, editor Energy & Capital. A few years ago, I attended a fundraising meeting for Fisker Automotive, the company that's just delivered the Fisker Karma, the world's first plug-in hybrid electric luxury car.
Car pollution: the answer lies in a good paint job
9 Sep 2011
Exhaust emissions from cars are a toxic nightmare for the planet … but vehicles start polluting even before they hit the road.
Rugby World Cup more than a load of rubbish
9 Sep 2011
Visitors are arriving by air from all over the world for the Rugby World Cup that kicks off today - and the fuel consumed during these flights will generate large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, says Carbon Market Solutions.
Doctor fears climate treaty challenge
2 Sep 2011
A Maori public health specialist says that the Government is failing to address climate change – and that could leave the way open for a Treaty of Waitangi challenge.
NZ Wood adopts new CEO
2 Sep 2011
The Wood Council of New Zealand has appointed Jane Arnott to the role of chief executive officer of NZ Wood, the operation that runs the over-arching marketing programme for the forest and wood sector.
Greens slam stand on Auckland transport
19 Aug 2011
Public transport under-funding will be an election issue in Auckland, the Green Party is predicting.
E-cars equal petrol at 26c a litre, says EECA
12 Aug 2011
Driving the first mass-produced electric car on sale in New Zealand is like buying petrol at 26 cents a litre, says the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority.
Make your second car electric
5 Aug 2011
Electric vehicles could be a great solution for New Zealand households looking for an economical second car for around-town driving.
One-for-two deal must stay, says coalition
29 Jul 2011
The Greenhouse Policy Coalition is warning that New Zealanders will face higher prices for fuel and electricity if the Government removes the one-for-two obligation in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Transport plans short-sighted, say Greens
29 Jul 2011
The Government’s short-sighted plans for transport funding will lock New Zealand’s economic fortunes into dependency on the price of oil and further Government debt, the Green Party says.
Travel costs show need for planning, say Greens
22 Jul 2011
The ever-increasing rise in travel costs, detailed in this week's Consumer Price Index release, highlights the need for better public transport strategies, the Green Party says.
Are we keeping up, asks energy expert
15 Jul 2011
The argument by some New Zealand businesses and farmers that NZ should not be a leader in climate change mitigation is beginning to wear thin, says an expert on renewable energy.
2013 still deadline, Goff tells farmers
1 Jul 2011
Labour is sticking to its guns over bringing agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2013.
Hydrogen car technology hits the fast lane
1 Jul 2011
Development of major infrastructure for hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles is going ahead after a successful round-the world "test drive".
Climate fighter has a big job for NZ
10 Jun 2011
Scientist and climate change campaigner Dr James Hansen says that New Zealand could be the country he has been looking for to "stand up and tell the truth" - that our addiction to fossil fuels can be cured only by an honest, rising price on carbon.
If only they’d bought more green cars …
10 Jun 2011
Carbon emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles could have been cut by more than a third in 2010, if Australians had made greener purchasing decisions, a new report says.
Food waste firm wins green award
10 Jun 2011
Auckland food waste firm Eco Stock Supplies yesterday was named Supreme Winner of the annual Green Ribbon Awards.
Cargo carbon calculations just a click away
3 Jun 2011
The carbon implications of shipping cargo with a New Zealand shipping company can now be calculated with a couple of mouse-clicks.
French get ready to market green coal
3 Jun 2011
A French engineering company says it has started construction of three industrial plants producing biocoal - also known as green coal.
Hopes dim for safe emissions levels
3 Jun 2011
Greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest carbon output in history, putting hopes of holding global warming to safe levels all but out of reach, according to unpublished estimates from the International Energy Agency, says Carbon Market Solutions.
Biodiesel maker to set up Nelson plant
20 May 2011
Solid Energy subsidiary Biodiesel New Zealand is setting up a bulk distribution facility in Nelson.
They are the Champions … of the Earth
13 May 2011
Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon, singer Angélique Kidjo and adventurer Louis Palmer are among this year’s five winners of a United Nations award that honours contributions to the global effort to protect the environment.
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.
Study shows most say no to motorways
29 Apr 2011
Some 66 per cent of New Zealanders now do not believe it is possible to eliminate congestion by building more roads and motorways, new reseach says.
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.
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.
Climate-fight billions can be raised, says EU
21 Apr 2011
The European Union says that it is possible to raise the huge amounts of money needed to address climate change in developing countries.
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.
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.
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.
ARW wraps up biodiesel deal
8 Apr 2011
Australian listed company Australian Renewable Fuels (ARW) says it has finalised acquisition of its largest competitor, Biodiesel Producers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Love NZ and watch where you dump rubbish
18 Mar 2011
A nationwide education campaign to promote recycling in public places was launched on bus shelters in central Auckland and Wellington this week.
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:
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.
UK expert to talk with ETS review group
4 Mar 2011
The committee reviewing the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme is to hear from one of Britain’s top carbon markets advisers.
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.
Motorway money poor choice, say Greens
18 Feb 2011
The Government’s transport stimulus package would have created many more jobs if it hadn’t cut funding for everything else to build new motorways, said the Green Party says.
Clean-tech costs falling fast, says Garnaut
11 Feb 2011
The cost of clean technology is falling faster than expected, as the United States and China swing their manufacturing might behind the sector, says the Australian Government’s climate change adviser.
Smith calls for carbon reduction submissions
4 Feb 2011
The Government is calling for submissions on New Zealand’s 2050 emissions reduction target.
Australian fuels firm adds to biodiesel plants
4 Feb 2011
Australian Renewable Fuels is buying out its biggest competitor.
These days, it's all about shale oil
4 Feb 2011
By Keith Kohl.- "The era of plentiful, low-cost petroleum is reaching an end" - it's been nearly six years since those words began the now-famous Hirsch Report.
Australia eyes 50% tax cut on new fuels
28 Jan 2011
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten has released draft legislation for public consultation on the Australian Government's reform of the taxation of alternative fuels.
Oxfam calls on Govt to renew climate finance commitments
Today 12:15pm
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government's failure to renew international climate finance commitments has left Pacific nations short at least $100 million a year, with Oxfam Aotearoa linking the funding gap to New Zealand's weakened Emissions Trading Scheme.
'Terrible result': Emissions barely budged in 2024
Fri 5 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions were virtually unchanged in 2024, falling by 0.03%, despite the economy shrinking by ten times that amount during the same period, according to new data.
$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.
Europe's green jet fuels see upside in Iran war
Wed 3 Jun 2026
Interest in synthetic propellants is growing as the Iran war pushes Europe to reassess its dependencies, raising hopes of a turnaround for the struggling sector, according to industry experts.
Govt injects $10 million into Auckland predator-free projects
Fri 5 Jun 2026
Conservation projects across Auckland will share in a $10 million Government funding package designed to accelerate predator eradication efforts and restore native biodiversity.
Huntly biomass option no cheap fix, Genesis tells MPs
28 May 2026
Genesis Energy says biomass can be burned in Huntly's Rankine units, but current costs put it in roughly the same price range as imported LNG and extra Rankine capacity would be expensive and could take years.
Carbon auction set to fail while new data suggests sharp decline in stockpile
Today 12:15pm
By Liz Kivi | Tomorrow’s carbon auction is odds-on to fail again, even as the latest figures from the Environmental Protection Authority show the ‘stockpile’ of NZUs continuing to decline.
What to expect from the Bonn climate talks
Today 12:15pm
The annual June climate talks in Bonn are taking place this year against the backdrop of an oil and gas supply crisis tied to the Iran war and deadly heatwaves in Europe, India and the Middle East. Can they produce anything substantial to ease the squeeze on economies and communities around the world?
Media round-up
Fri 5 Jun 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The government must stop delaying decisions on funding climate adaptation, says Gisborne mayor; insurance conference exposes poor preparation for climate change; and Labour questions whether a disappearing climate briefing note was part of a deliberate cover-up.
Lack of demand leads to Bathurst pausing coal mine expansion
Tue 2 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | Bathurst Resources has confirmed it is struggling to find a market for coal from its planned extension of the Rotowaro coal mine in North Waikato, and is putting the project on ‘pause’.
NZ’s sustainable finance credibility gap
Fri 5 Jun 2026
By Manbo He | COMMENT: New Zealand has built serious sustainable finance infrastructure - but risks failing to attract the global capital that infrastructure was designed for, because it lacks the practitioner capability to operate it credibly.
Green building council calls for clean energy policies
18 May 2026
The New Zealand Green Building Council has released its 2026 election manifesto calling for policies to reduce energy waste in buildings, lower household and business energy costs, and improve New Zealand’s energy security.
What Magyar’s defeat of Orbán in Hungary means for climate and energy
21 Apr 2026
Hungary has played a disproportionate role in EU climate and energy policy in recent years, by repeatedly vetoing climate action and by delaying the phaseout of Russian fossil-fuel imports.
Diesel vs LNG – both high cost options for dry year cover
Today 12:15pm
By Pattrick Smellie | ANALYSIS: While last week’s Sapere report – looking at the Government’s proposed LNG terminal for electricity ‘dry year’ cover – says diesel would be better in the short-term, opting for diesel would lead to higher more volatile electricity spot prices in the next few years.
Waikato launches vision for energy transition bringing $4.5 billion investment to the region
Today 12:15pm
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Waikato Regional Council has released a strategy aiming to position the region at the centre of New Zealand's energy transition, with plans to boost energy security, cut emissions and unlock billions of dollars in economic opportunities by 2050.
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.
Seven ‘new approaches’ to avoid our Paris commitments: Carr
Thu 4 Jun 2026
Praying for “new approaches” to materialise to meet our international climate obligations isn’t a strategy, writes Rod Carr.
EDS urges MPs to scrap the Fisheries Amendment Bill
5 May 2026
Media release | The Environmental Defence Society today lodged a substantive submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill.
Nature-based solutions – such as forestry – crucial for carbon removal
Fri 5 Jun 2026
COMMENT: Transitioning from erodible pasture to well-managed forest can yield substantial environmental benefits, writes James Treadwell.
LNG isn’t the best 'dry year' solution – new report
Thu 4 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government’s proposed LNG import terminal isn’t the best solution for ‘dry year’ electricity security, according to a new report.
Govt legislates for more gas market transparency
Tue 2 Jun 2026
The Government has passed its Gas Market Transparency Bill through all stages under urgency, giving itself stronger powers to see into a gas market where tightening supply is creating significant uncertainty for businesses.
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.”
Sustainable finance taxonomy for energy sector – consultation
Today 12:15pm
The Centre for Sustainable Finance is consulting on the sustainable finance taxonomy’s draft energy sector criteria.
NZ’s ‘light‑touch’ approach to voluntary carbon and nature markets may unlock finance but risks credibility
Tue 2 Jun 2026
By Jennifer Campion, University of Waikato | The government’s recent announcement of support for voluntary carbon and nature markets effectively offers a “warrant of fitness” to signal which markets can be trusted, without directly regulating them.
Why ‘greenhushing’ signals deeper issues with NZ’s climate risk reporting regime
15 May 2026
By Hang Pham, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington | Most of us are familiar with the concept of greenwashing: organisations exaggerating or overstating their environmental credentials. But in New Zealand, there are signs the country’s climate disclosure regime may inadvertently be driving a very different trend: not saying much at all.
Hipkins pans LNG plan as ‘massive step backwards’
19 May 2026
By Liz Kivi | Labour leader Chris Hipkins has told a Queenstown audience that a Government he leads would not proceed with a planned LNG import terminal, if elected at November’s election.
Victorian Hydrogen announces Southland urea fertiliser project using coal
22 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Australian-based Victorian Hydrogen has announced it is developing a new 1.5 million-tonne-a-year urea fertiliser operation in Southland, which it will apply for under fast-track legislation.
Media round-up
24 Apr 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: What is the real cost of storm-hit infrastructure? Urgency is needed over climate adaptation funding; and a community conservation group has won a legal victory against multinational mining company OceanaGold.
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.
EU sues Ireland over failure to protect carbon-rich bogs
Today 12:15pm
The European Commission is taking Ireland to court over its failure to protect environmentally crucial boglands from commercial turf-cutters.
Changes to emissions factors prompt caution over climate claims
Thu 4 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Organisations may need to revisit how they calculate and communicate their greenhouse gas emissions after the Ministry for the Environment released an updated version of its Measuring Emissions Guide, incorporating new emissions factors based on New Zealand's latest greenhouse gas inventory.
Climate risks could reshape business finances, new guidance warns
15 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New guidance warns climate change is set to fundamentally reshape financial outcomes for businesses, including difficult-to-model climate “tipping points” – irreversible changes such as ice sheet collapse or ocean circulation shifts – which threaten severe and sudden financial impacts.
Move to block lawsuits could strengthen climate case against Govt
14 May 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government’s plan to block climate lawsuits – while potentially fatal for one groundbreaking climate case – could actually bolster claims in another live climate case underway against the Government.
Wetland protections failing to stop losses
28 May 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New mapping commissioned by the Environmental Law Initiative shows wetlands across New Zealand are still being converted to pasture, forestry and mining despite stronger national protections introduced in 2020, with researchers warning enforcement gaps may be undermining the rules.
Renewables alone won’t fix ‘broken’ electricity prices
Thu 4 Jun 2026
COMMENT: While many people agree the electricity market is broken, simply adding more renewables to a broken system isn’t the fix we need, writes Geoff Bertram.
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.
Deep South marine reserves boost protection by nearly 50%
Wed 3 Jun 2026
Five new marine reserves protecting more than 300 square kilometres of ocean habitat along the Otago and south Canterbury coast will come into force next month, marking one of the largest expansions of mainland New Zealand's marine reserve network in decades.
Environmental groups sue Trump administration over approval of new ultra deep-water drilling project
23 Apr 2026
Environmental groups sued the Trump administration on Monday over its approval last month of oil company BP’s ultra deep-water drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico.
Willis touting mysterious ‘new approaches’ to meet Paris Agreement
Tue 2 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | Finance Minister Nicola Willis has again said that New Zealand is unlikely to buy significant offshore mitigation to meet the country’s international climate targets.
A real ‘intergenerational equity’ budget would address Australia’s unceasing environmental decline
15 May 2026
Labor has unveiled a budget designed to tackle intergenerational equity in Australia through bold tax reform.
Six NZ climate solutions up for 2026 Earthshot prize
21 May 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Six New Zealand climate and sustainability initiatives have been nominated for the 2026 Earthshot Prize, with the shortlist showcasing Kiwi-led solutions tackling emissions, plastic waste and ocean restoration.
How campaigners beat industrial farming in Denmark’s ‘pig election’
Today 12:15pm
Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s new government promises overhaul for people – and animals – in home of ultra-intensive farming.
New breed of political prisoner arises in Britain as anti-protest sentences rise
27 May 2026
More people are being jailed in England and Wales as a result of acting to prevent climate breakdown and the war in Gaza, research reveals.
Why China's critical minerals strategy leaves the US behind
Today 12:15pm
The United States cannot realistically recreate that dominance overnight even if the political will existed.
US to ‘kill’ climate disclosure rule
Tue 2 Jun 2026
In the latest action to undo Biden-era regulations on climate change, the Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed repealing a rule that requires some public companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions and the risks they face from global warming.
Australia's greenhouse gas emissions drop as renewable energy, batteries surge
Today 12:15pm
Australia's greenhouse gas emissions have dropped, showing signs of a turning point in the country's most polluting sectors.
‘Landmark’ conservation reform bill – boost or bust for nature?
8 May 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government has announced an overhaul of the country’s conservation system, which environmental organisation Forest & Bird says will undo the work of many generations of Kiwis to protect public conservation land.
Researchers say this new Trump rule could destroy American science as we know it. They’re fighting back
Today 12:15pm
Scientists across multiple disciplines are sounding the alarm after the White House proposed taking greater control over how scientific research gets funded and allowing political appointees to decide whether to approve scientific grants.
China’s CO2 climbs 2% in early 2026 due to ‘wasted’ wind and solar
Fri 5 Jun 2026
The country used more coal and gas to generate electricity than in the same quarter a year earlier, despite a record amount of new wind and solar capacity being built.
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.
EU wants households to cut peak time energy use as demand from industry and AI soars
Fri 5 Jun 2026
A new law will aim to use artificial intelligence to boost efficient use of power as electricity demand threatens to overwhelm Europe’s grids.
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.
Energy, water use and pollution of AI and data centres rival most countries
Fri 5 Jun 2026
The environmental footprint of data centres already rivals some of the world’s largest countries, according to a United Nations University report, which also predicts their water and energy use and pollution will double in just four years as use of artificial intelligence grows.
Project linking food waste to cutting methane emissions gets underway
27 May 2026
Media release | Kai Commitment is leading a New Zealand-first project to help understand the connection between food waste and methane emissions and identify effective interventions.
Record-breaking heat and dry spring leave parts of England without water
Tue 2 Jun 2026
Thousands of households in southeast England were left without water or facing low pressure during a record-breaking heatwave this week, as high demand followed a dry spring to expose the failings in Britain's ageing infrastructure.
Why is Northern Ireland facing a growing threat from wildfires?
7 May 2026
Figures show that spring drought events are happening more often while there has been a sharp rise in "fire weather" - a mix of warmth, dryness, and wind that allows fires to ignite and spread rapidly. Experts warn this combination, along with climate change, is creating a longer and more volatile wildfire season.
Waves with world's first wind power undersea data center
Thu 4 Jun 2026
China has begun operations of the world's first undersea data center directly powered by offshore wind, as the country races to solve the soaring energy demands of artificial intelligence with greener and more efficient infrastructure.
