Energy
What’s driving the super-sized truck trend?
Shifting advertising strategies towards larger, more polluting vehicles is being blamed for a boom in the number of SUVs and utes on New Zealand roads. An environmental sociologist says the rising… Audio
Environment advocates challenge government report
Zero-waste advocates say a government-funded report into the merits of biogas lacks balance and is shortsighted.
Marsden Point: Fuel leaks dramatically lowered but closure would largely stop it
The Marsden Point oil refinery says it is sucking a lot less leaked fuel out of the ground and that the amount will fall further if it stops processing entirely.
Study reveals cardio health influences your coffee consumption
University of South Australia researchers have found genetic evidence that cardio health influences your coffee consumption. Lead researcher Professor Elina Hyppönen says it's a positive finding and… Audio
New Zealand's largest grid-connected solar power plant up and running
The 2.1 megawatt Kapuni Solar Power Plant features 5800 ground-mounted photovoltaic panels and can generate enough electricity to power more than 520 homes.
Forest & Bird launches petition seeking end to new coal mines
The government needs to consider how to stop new or expanded coal mines in New Zealand to keep climate warming to safe levels, Forest & Bird says.
Firms consider investing in solar energy as power prices soar
High wholesale power prices are forcing some businesses to consider investing in solar energy.
Kiwi households struggle to pay power bills amid price hikes
Rising power prices have are placing Kiwi households under pressure, with 18 per cent reporting a struggle to pay bills over the past year. Consumer NZ's most recent survey found 16 per cent of people… Audio
Climate change: Restaurants want to keep gas burners
The debate over the future of natural gas is heating up, with stark warnings from the hospitality sector that switching it off could snuff out a struggling industry.
Some leading restaurateurs are… Audio
Gas industry group wants help with renewables: 'the flame isn't going out'
A new gas lobby group wants a national energy strategy to help the industry move into renewables, such as hydrogen and biogas.
Marsden Pt refinery workers keen to upskill to develop biofuels
Talks are under way with New Zealand's only oil refinery about potentially using the facility to make biofuels. Audio
China says nuclear radiation levels normal after reports of leak
China says radiation levels around the Taishan nuclear project in the southeastern province of Guangdong remained normal, following media reports of a leak at one of its reactors.
Sustainable biofuels - a stepping stone for NZ
The proposed clean car subsidy is copping criticism from some sectors because the grunty vehicles they need, such as utes for farm work, rely on internal combustion engines. But they are burning… Audio
Finance Minister defends approval of smelter company's demand for $10m indemnity
The government faced paying $10 million to get rid of 10,000 tonnes of hazardous waste in Mataura.
Queenstown 'Lady of the Lake' under scrutiny for environmental impact
A study into greenhouse gas emissions in Otago has noted the impact of the TSS Earnslaw 'Lady of the Lake' steamship, along with a catalogue of other industries and players.
Why businesses need to slash their carbon emissions
Bernard Hickey has been looking at the Climate Change Commissions latest recommendations. He says that while the Government is dragging its heels, businesses will need to forge ahead on their own to… Audio
Europe's biggest airlines lobbying against tighter carbon emmissions
Europe's biggest airlines have been lobbying against measures to tighten carbon emmissions after taking Covid-19 bailouts - that's according to a climate watchdog. Influence Map says the sector is… Audio
Why is coal use up in NZ, despite climate crisis?
A dramatic increase in coal use in New Zealand is under the spotlight - the same amount of coal was used to generate electricity in the first three months of the year than for 2016 and 2017 combined… Audio
Surge in burning coal to generate electricity
New Zealand has significantly increased its use of coal for electricity generation in recent years, despite its status as the worst, most polluting fossil fuel on the planet.
Keystone pipeline cancelled after Biden revokes key permit
A $9 billion oil pipeline that became a symbol of the rising political clout of climate change advocates and a flash point in US-Canada relations has been officially cancelled.
