Hunt for oil anchors govt’s environment plan
The National Party is leading off its environmental package for its new term in power with plans to encourage more oil exploration — despite the burning of fossil fuels being the single biggest cause of climate change.
Honey hits the jackpot for steep-land believer
In 2010, Taranaki farmer Neil Walker was enthusiastic about the potential for a combination of carbon farming and beekeeping to rejuvenate steep-land farming. Four years on, he is still buying cheap land and planting it in tree crops, despite carbon prices being less than a third of what they were back then.
Green-coke pioneer puts faith in public-funding
Clean-coal company CarbonScape is the first clean-tech company in New Zealand to use crowd-funding to raise capital. The Blenheim-based start-up launched a bid last week on the Snowball Effect platform to raise at least $400,000 dollars.
Good tyres tread lightly on the earth
New Zealand could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6000 tonnes a year by installing fuel-efficient tyres on the nation’s fleet of light vehicles. And at the same time, businesses and private-vehicle owners could shave up to 7 per cent off their fuel bills.
New EU emissions goal pits green business against industry
A European Union goal to cut greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2030 sets the pace for a global deal to tackle climate change, pitting heavy industry against green business.
Emissions register has a new look
The Environmental Protection Authority is making the national emissions register more user-friendly.
Trans-Pacific Partnership threatens green trade deal
The Trans-Pacific Partnership threatens a green trade deal that could ultimately do more to reduce carbon emissions than international climate agreements such as the failed Kyoto Protocol.
On the web: Sweden the greenest country… so, where is NZ?
- Carmakers prepare to shift to hydrogen fuel cells
- New York Green Bank in debut clean energy transactions
- Off-grid German village runs on wind and sun
- UK to axe solar farm subsidies in favour of biomass crops
Supplies of rare earth materials are still far from secure
Materials essential for technology products such as electric vehicles, wind turbines or hard disks, known as rare earth elements, aren’t becoming any less rare, or any less crucial.
Universities act to hit fossil fuel firms where it hurts
Glasgow recently became the first European university to join the rapidly expanding fossil-free divestment movement. Following hot on the heels of the Australian National University, Glasgow promised to move £18m of investment over the next 10 years.
Oil boom prompts US to push for crude exports
Oil and coal producers in the United States are planning to use mile-long tanker trains to transport vast quantities of fossil fuels to the coast through areas that environmental groups believe should be protected.
NZUs consolidate and look to move higher
This market feels like it’s about to tip to the bid side and move higher, OMFinancial reports.
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