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The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Key parties remain distant amid global warming talks
The latest efforts to resuscitate the United Nation's (UN) Kyoto Protocol on global warming have exposed big differences between the rival parties, and reignited charges that the United States is seeking to sabotage the treaty.
Environmentalists have now voiced alarm at what they have termed the hardline approach by Australia and Canada, which have said Kyoto cannot work without the US, the biggest source of climate-changing gases.
The latest efforts to resuscitate the United Nation's (UN) Kyoto Protocol on global warming have exposed big differences between the rival parties, and reignited charges that the United States is seeking to sabotage the treaty.
Environmentalists have now voiced alarm at what they have termed the hardline approach by Australia and Canada, which have said Kyoto cannot work without the US, the biggest source of climate-changing gases.
No Progress Yet Towards Kyoto
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said that the latest annual report on New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions showed that carbon dioxide emissions are growing as fast as ever.
" We are falling even further behind in our international obligations to the Kyoto Protocol and there is still no climate change policy," said Ms Fitzsimons
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said that the latest annual report on New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions showed that carbon dioxide emissions are growing as fast as ever.
" We are falling even further behind in our international obligations to the Kyoto Protocol and there is still no climate change policy," said Ms Fitzsimons
Boosting thermal power output by 50 per cent would cut across climate change policy
Plans are afoot to build three large new thermal power stations, each of about 400 MW capacity.
Plans are afoot to build three large new thermal power stations, each of about 400 MW capacity.
New Zealand Govt Climate Change Programme - Resources
New newsletter
New newsletter
Gas power station will crowd out renewables
At the same time, there are proposals for three new 400MW combined-cycle gas-fired power stations in the upper half of the North Island, at Otahuhu, Huntly and Stratford.
If these three power stations all proceed, they are likely to crowd out many promising potential renewable energy power projects, especially wind farms and hydro-electric projects.
There is no real evidence that any of those power stations would be necessary for at least five years if the electricity generation and transmission system was being operated in an integrated manner.
Finally, we now have a situation in the South Island where, during the hearings of Parliament's commerce select committee on the Electricity Industry Bill, Meridian Energy admitted a substantial loss of potential electricity generation because of hydro spill.
At the same time, there are proposals for three new 400MW combined-cycle gas-fired power stations in the upper half of the North Island, at Otahuhu, Huntly and Stratford.
If these three power stations all proceed, they are likely to crowd out many promising potential renewable energy power projects, especially wind farms and hydro-electric projects.
There is no real evidence that any of those power stations would be necessary for at least five years if the electricity generation and transmission system was being operated in an integrated manner.
Finally, we now have a situation in the South Island where, during the hearings of Parliament's commerce select committee on the Electricity Industry Bill, Meridian Energy admitted a substantial loss of potential electricity generation because of hydro spill.
Scoop: Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Latest Data
The latest annual report on New Zealand's energy sector greenhouse gas emissions shows a 2 percent increase in gross carbon dioxide emissions between 1999 and 2000.
Overall New Zealand's gross carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the energy and industrial process sectors have increased by 22 percent between 1990 and 2000. This compares with 20 percent growth from 1990-1999. Average growth over 1990-2000 was 2 percent a year. Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas worldwide.
"This data demonstrates the size of the challenge faced by New Zealand in meeting its climate change commitments," said Energy Minister Pete Hodgson
The latest annual report on New Zealand's energy sector greenhouse gas emissions shows a 2 percent increase in gross carbon dioxide emissions between 1999 and 2000.
Overall New Zealand's gross carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the energy and industrial process sectors have increased by 22 percent between 1990 and 2000. This compares with 20 percent growth from 1990-1999. Average growth over 1990-2000 was 2 percent a year. Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas worldwide.
"This data demonstrates the size of the challenge faced by New Zealand in meeting its climate change commitments," said Energy Minister Pete Hodgson
Carbon case grey rather than Green
The McLeod tax review has left the door open to a carbon tax, or at least ajar.
It is unenthusiastic, but cannot come up with a theoretical reason to reject it.
The McLeod tax review has left the door open to a carbon tax, or at least ajar.
It is unenthusiastic, but cannot come up with a theoretical reason to reject it.
Christchurch's failure to clean up the air is being probed by the Auditor-General
The Auditor-General's involvement follows a complaint from a resident alleging that the regional council, Environment Canterbury (ECan), is "wilfully or neglectfully failing to perform" its statutory duties in relation to air quality.
The Auditor-General's involvement follows a complaint from a resident alleging that the regional council, Environment Canterbury (ECan), is "wilfully or neglectfully failing to perform" its statutory duties in relation to air quality.
NZ signs up to better protection for ozone layer
New Zealand has taken another step to protect the ozone layer by signing up to the latest amendment to the Montreal Protocol, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Phil Goff and Environment Minister Marian Hobbs announced today.
New Zealand has taken another step to protect the ozone layer by signing up to the latest amendment to the Montreal Protocol, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Phil Goff and Environment Minister Marian Hobbs announced today.
Carbon Tax Proposal
The tax review discussion paper on carbon taxes (pdf). This is open for submissions
The tax review discussion paper on carbon taxes (pdf). This is open for submissions
Aus opposition claims Minister Hill and US agreed on Kyoto withdrawal
Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill has denied reaching an agreement with the United States before the US decision to dump the Kyoto Treaty on global warming
Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill has denied reaching an agreement with the United States before the US decision to dump the Kyoto Treaty on global warming
ARC urges boycott on Mobil
The Auckland Regional Council wants motorists to boycott Mobil because the oil company is holding out against the introduction of cleaner diesel in Auckland.
The local body wants sulphur levels in the region's diesel halved, but the change needs the cooperation of all four major oil companies.
The Auckland Regional Council wants motorists to boycott Mobil because the oil company is holding out against the introduction of cleaner diesel in Auckland.
The local body wants sulphur levels in the region's diesel halved, but the change needs the cooperation of all four major oil companies.
Marathon sail promotes global warming awareness
From the information gathered by the yachts, students around the world will be able to learn about the importance of phytoplankton, climate change and a raft of other environmental information. Phytoplankton absorbs 10 times more carbon dioxide than all the world's rainforests, so has far more impact on the global climate.
From the information gathered by the yachts, students around the world will be able to learn about the importance of phytoplankton, climate change and a raft of other environmental information. Phytoplankton absorbs 10 times more carbon dioxide than all the world's rainforests, so has far more impact on the global climate.
UN climate change chief cautious on US, woos Japan
The head of the United Nations climate change forum has given a lukewarm response to a new US pledge to tackle global warming, while offering a measure to win support from Japan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The head of the United Nations climate change forum has given a lukewarm response to a new US pledge to tackle global warming, while offering a measure to win support from Japan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon Forum Programme
Forest Research Institute Presentations
Forest Research Institute Presentations
Stop Mobil
Greenpeace campaign site
Greenpeace campaign site
Scoop: Greenpeace Sandbags Mobil – No. 1 Villain
Greenpeace New Zealand today sandbagged Mobil HQ in Lambton Quay, Wellington, and called on Mobil to stop undermining the Kyoto Protocol.
“Mobil stands out as No. 1 global warming villain. It lobbied George W Bush to undermine the Kyoto Protocol, the only international treaty to prevent global warming, as well as paying over US$1 million to Bush’s election campaign. When Bush entered the White House, he tore up the Kyoto Protocol, exactly the result Mobil was looking for”, said Sue Connor, Greenpeace climate campaigner.
Greenpeace New Zealand today sandbagged Mobil HQ in Lambton Quay, Wellington, and called on Mobil to stop undermining the Kyoto Protocol.
“Mobil stands out as No. 1 global warming villain. It lobbied George W Bush to undermine the Kyoto Protocol, the only international treaty to prevent global warming, as well as paying over US$1 million to Bush’s election campaign. When Bush entered the White House, he tore up the Kyoto Protocol, exactly the result Mobil was looking for”, said Sue Connor, Greenpeace climate campaigner.
Mobil Oil New Zealand view on Kyoto
"We believe the Protocol is seriously flawed and would potentially do more harm than good
"We believe the Protocol is seriously flawed and would potentially do more harm than good
Aus Govt under pressure to commit to Kyoto
The Australian Government is under pressure to use World Environment Day to commit to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Conservationists say US President George W Bush is poised to announce his national climate change policy and Australia risks becoming an international pariah if it opposes the treaty.
The Australian Government is under pressure to use World Environment Day to commit to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Conservationists say US President George W Bush is poised to announce his national climate change policy and Australia risks becoming an international pariah if it opposes the treaty.
Climate Change Developments (12.6.01)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade news update on climate change negotiation developments.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade news update on climate change negotiation developments.
Bush - Rose Garden Speech
Bush's approach to climate change
Bush's approach to climate change
Baaarrrrpp – and the ute fires up
The average cow burps and belches so much methane that a farmer could put it on the back of a ute and connect it up as an energy source, climate change expert Jim Salinger says.
The average cow burps and belches so much methane that a farmer could put it on the back of a ute and connect it up as an energy source, climate change expert Jim Salinger says.
Computers calculate effects of carbon on crops
There is no doubt that the release of carbon from fossil fuels has caused a substantial increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. What is less certain is whether the apparent climate warming and changes in variability have the same cause. Computer projections, and a majority of climate scientists, suggest that they do.
There is no doubt that the release of carbon from fossil fuels has caused a substantial increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. What is less certain is whether the apparent climate warming and changes in variability have the same cause. Computer projections, and a majority of climate scientists, suggest that they do.
Hydro lake levels low but no concern yet
The Government is keeping watch on electricity hydro lake storage levels which are now below two thirds of the average for this time of year, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said on Thursday.
He said there was no cause for concern but the situation highlighted the importance of making efficient use of energy.
The Government is keeping watch on electricity hydro lake storage levels which are now below two thirds of the average for this time of year, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson said on Thursday.
He said there was no cause for concern but the situation highlighted the importance of making efficient use of energy.
Christchurch to breathe dirty air to save the climate?
"If solid fuel was banned, there could be harmful environmental effects because extra electricity use for heating would mean more greenhouse emissions from coal and gas-fired power stations in the North Island."
"If solid fuel was banned, there could be harmful environmental effects because extra electricity use for heating would mean more greenhouse emissions from coal and gas-fired power stations in the North Island."
Australia would be foolish to continue to back Bush on Kyoto says climate change expert
President Bush is poised to announce a National Climate Change Policy in the next 48 hours and Australia will become an “environmental pariah” if it continues to go against world opinion on climate change and support the US in abandoning the Kyoto Protocol, says Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF International’s Climate Change campaign.
President Bush is poised to announce a National Climate Change Policy in the next 48 hours and Australia will become an “environmental pariah” if it continues to go against world opinion on climate change and support the US in abandoning the Kyoto Protocol, says Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF International’s Climate Change campaign.
