Links
Archives
- 10/01/2000 - 11/01/2000
- 11/01/2000 - 12/01/2000
- 12/01/2000 - 01/01/2001
- 01/01/2001 - 02/01/2001
- 02/01/2001 - 03/01/2001
- 03/01/2001 - 04/01/2001
- 04/01/2001 - 05/01/2001
- 05/01/2001 - 06/01/2001
- 06/01/2001 - 07/01/2001
- 07/01/2001 - 08/01/2001
- 08/01/2001 - 09/01/2001
- 09/01/2001 - 10/01/2001
- 10/01/2001 - 11/01/2001
- 11/01/2001 - 12/01/2001
- 12/01/2001 - 01/01/2002
- 01/01/2002 - 02/01/2002
- 02/01/2002 - 03/01/2002
- 03/01/2002 - 04/01/2002
- 04/01/2002 - 05/01/2002
- 05/01/2002 - 06/01/2002
- 06/01/2002 - 07/01/2002
- 07/01/2002 - 08/01/2002
- 08/01/2002 - 09/01/2002
- 09/01/2002 - 10/01/2002
- 10/01/2002 - 11/01/2002
- 11/01/2002 - 12/01/2002
- 12/01/2002 - 01/01/2003
- 01/01/2003 - 02/01/2003
- 02/01/2003 - 03/01/2003
- 03/01/2003 - 04/01/2003
- 04/01/2003 - 05/01/2003
- 05/01/2003 - 06/01/2003
- 06/01/2003 - 07/01/2003
- 07/01/2003 - 08/01/2003
- 08/01/2003 - 09/01/2003
- 09/01/2003 - 10/01/2003
- 10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003
- 11/01/2003 - 12/01/2003
- 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004
- 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004
- 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004
- 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004
- 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
- 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
- 06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004
- 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004
- 08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004
- 09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004
- 10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004
- 11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004
- 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005
- 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
- 02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005
- 03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005
- 04/01/2005 - 05/01/2005
- 05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005
- 06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005
- 07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005
- 08/01/2005 - 09/01/2005
- 09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005
- 10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005
- 11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005
- 12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006
- 01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006
- 02/01/2006 - 03/01/2006
- 03/01/2006 - 04/01/2006
- 04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006
- 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006
- 06/01/2006 - 07/01/2006
- 07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006
- 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006
- 09/01/2006 - 10/01/2006
- 10/01/2006 - 11/01/2006
- 11/01/2006 - 12/01/2006
- 12/01/2006 - 01/01/2007
- 01/01/2007 - 02/01/2007
- 02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007
The place for NZ oriented news releases on climate change and related energy policy.
Confronting climate change: critical issues for NZ
Confronting climate change – critical issues for New Zealand
The issues confronting New Zealand as a result of climate change have been put in the spotlight with the release of a new book from Victoria University.
Confronting Climate Change: Critical Issues for New Zealand, published by Victoria University Press, grew out of a major international conference organised by the University and held in Wellington earlier this year.
The book will be launched by the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues, the Hon David Parker.
Edited by Associate Professor Ralph Chapman, Professor Jonathan Boston and Wellington writer Margot Schwass, the book includes contributions from more than 30 leading scientists and policy experts and a foreword by British Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair, who addressed the conference by video link.
Associate Professor Chapman, from the School of Geography, Environment & Earth Sciences, says the debate on the science is over.
“As the outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has recently commented, the sceptics are ‘out of step, out of arguments and just about out of time’. Climate change is real and it is happening even faster than previously thought and is being powerfully influenced by human activities.”
Associate Professor Chapman says events such as Hurricane Katrina, the shrinking icecaps, the 2003 European heat wave and the disastrous Australian drought are reminders that climate change is not a future threat.
Confronting climate change – critical issues for New Zealand
The issues confronting New Zealand as a result of climate change have been put in the spotlight with the release of a new book from Victoria University.
Confronting Climate Change: Critical Issues for New Zealand, published by Victoria University Press, grew out of a major international conference organised by the University and held in Wellington earlier this year.
The book will be launched by the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues, the Hon David Parker.
Edited by Associate Professor Ralph Chapman, Professor Jonathan Boston and Wellington writer Margot Schwass, the book includes contributions from more than 30 leading scientists and policy experts and a foreword by British Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Tony Blair, who addressed the conference by video link.
Associate Professor Chapman, from the School of Geography, Environment & Earth Sciences, says the debate on the science is over.
“As the outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has recently commented, the sceptics are ‘out of step, out of arguments and just about out of time’. Climate change is real and it is happening even faster than previously thought and is being powerfully influenced by human activities.”
Associate Professor Chapman says events such as Hurricane Katrina, the shrinking icecaps, the 2003 European heat wave and the disastrous Australian drought are reminders that climate change is not a future threat.
McCain to reintroduce climate bill next year
Republican US Senator John McCain said last week that he and Senator Joe Lieberman will reintroduce their bill to set mandatory caps on US greenhouse gases with an economy-wide trading system in the next congressional session.
The only legislative proposal for a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gases in the US that made it to a vote, the McCain-Lieberman bill was defeated by 55 to 43 in the US Senate in 2003. McCain predicted that if Congress passes legislation in the next two years to enact a mandatory carbon emissions reduction program, President Bush would sign it.
Republican US Senator John McCain said last week that he and Senator Joe Lieberman will reintroduce their bill to set mandatory caps on US greenhouse gases with an economy-wide trading system in the next congressional session.
The only legislative proposal for a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gases in the US that made it to a vote, the McCain-Lieberman bill was defeated by 55 to 43 in the US Senate in 2003. McCain predicted that if Congress passes legislation in the next two years to enact a mandatory carbon emissions reduction program, President Bush would sign it.
Global warming to hit Alps hard
New projections for New Zealand warn that as the weather hots up, the fastest warming will happen in the coldest parts of the country - the Southern Alps.
Maximum daily temperatures in the Southern Alps could rise up to 7 by 2070 to 2100.
The amount of rain dumped on heavy rain days is also expected to jump significantly, according to sophisticated regional climate change modelling to be released on Tuesday.
'You see an increase in the very heavy rainfall events that can lead to flooding. If we warm up the planet a lot, then we are taking a risk,' says National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research climate modeller Sam Dean. "
New projections for New Zealand warn that as the weather hots up, the fastest warming will happen in the coldest parts of the country - the Southern Alps.
Maximum daily temperatures in the Southern Alps could rise up to 7 by 2070 to 2100.
The amount of rain dumped on heavy rain days is also expected to jump significantly, according to sophisticated regional climate change modelling to be released on Tuesday.
'You see an increase in the very heavy rainfall events that can lead to flooding. If we warm up the planet a lot, then we are taking a risk,' says National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research climate modeller Sam Dean. "
Carbon trading expected soon for NZ businesses
New Zealand businesses will soon be able to start trading carbon on the international market.
Changes to the Climate Change Response Act are about to be enacted, ensuring New Zealand companies have the administrative requirements in place to participate."
New Zealand businesses will soon be able to start trading carbon on the international market.
Changes to the Climate Change Response Act are about to be enacted, ensuring New Zealand companies have the administrative requirements in place to participate."
New Zealand sites sought for carbon dioxide storage |
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd., the country's biggest coal miner, is looking for underground sites to store carbon dioxide as part of a plan to develop a $670 million synthetic fuel plant.
The government-owned miner will spend the next six months assessing potential locations in Otago and Southland on the country's South Island, Chief Executive Officer Don Elder said.
The region holds about three-quarters of the nation's coal, and is where the company is considering building a coal-to-liquid fuels plant to utilize local lignite reserves.
``If we are to exploit our huge lignite reserves, we must work to address the challenge of CO2,'' Elder said in a prepared statement.
New Zealand, a nation of 4.1 million people, has more than 10 billion tons of economically recoverable coal, a per-person rate 15 times the world average.
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd., the country's biggest coal miner, is looking for underground sites to store carbon dioxide as part of a plan to develop a $670 million synthetic fuel plant.
The government-owned miner will spend the next six months assessing potential locations in Otago and Southland on the country's South Island, Chief Executive Officer Don Elder said.
The region holds about three-quarters of the nation's coal, and is where the company is considering building a coal-to-liquid fuels plant to utilize local lignite reserves.
``If we are to exploit our huge lignite reserves, we must work to address the challenge of CO2,'' Elder said in a prepared statement.
New Zealand, a nation of 4.1 million people, has more than 10 billion tons of economically recoverable coal, a per-person rate 15 times the world average.
Untapped Renewable Energy
Research reveals untapped renewable energy resources
Early results of a study of renewable energy in eight regions finds large potential for future energy generation.
This year EECA has worked with eight regional and district councils to assess the potential for renewable energy in their regions. Although the study is not yet completed, early indications show significant potential.
'If only a third of the potential we have discovered so far was developed, it could meet our electricity growth for the next 10 years,' says EECA chief executive Heather Staley."
Research reveals untapped renewable energy resources
Early results of a study of renewable energy in eight regions finds large potential for future energy generation.
This year EECA has worked with eight regional and district councils to assess the potential for renewable energy in their regions. Although the study is not yet completed, early indications show significant potential.
'If only a third of the potential we have discovered so far was developed, it could meet our electricity growth for the next 10 years,' says EECA chief executive Heather Staley."
Minister indicates Marden B unlikely to happen
Greenpeace's online radio Heatwave FM finished last evening, receiving overwhelming response – collecting nearly 2000 signatures for an open letter to the NZ Government, calling on it to take action on climate change.
Greenpeace welcomed the comments made yesterday on Heatwave FM (1) by David Parker, Minister for Energy and Climate Change that he does not think that the Marsden B coal fired power station proposal will go ahead.
Parker said he thought Marsden B was 'unlikely to happen'."
Greenpeace's online radio Heatwave FM finished last evening, receiving overwhelming response – collecting nearly 2000 signatures for an open letter to the NZ Government, calling on it to take action on climate change.
Greenpeace welcomed the comments made yesterday on Heatwave FM (1) by David Parker, Minister for Energy and Climate Change that he does not think that the Marsden B coal fired power station proposal will go ahead.
Parker said he thought Marsden B was 'unlikely to happen'."
ICLEI-A/NZ: CCP-NZ Forum 2006
First National CCP-NZ Forum
The CCP-NZ Forum was hosted by ICLEI-A/NZ and the Ministry for the Environment.
Speaker Presentations are available on-line."
First National CCP-NZ Forum
The CCP-NZ Forum was hosted by ICLEI-A/NZ and the Ministry for the Environment.
Speaker Presentations are available on-line."
ICLEI-A/NZ: CCP-NZ
ICLEI-A/NZ has launched the CCP-NZ Inventory Report 2006. The report amalgamates the emissions analyses and forecasts councils have undertaken through the Programme and highlights some mitigation activities councils are already doing.
The report shows the significant potential for saving greenhouse gas emissions from the local government sector. "
ICLEI-A/NZ has launched the CCP-NZ Inventory Report 2006. The report amalgamates the emissions analyses and forecasts councils have undertaken through the Programme and highlights some mitigation activities councils are already doing.
The report shows the significant potential for saving greenhouse gas emissions from the local government sector. "
Al Gore to star at Kiwi Summit
Former US vice-president Al Gore will visit Auckland next month to tell key business leaders and politicians in a closed meeting that they must act now to avert climate change catastrophe.
Gore will jet in on November 14 for half a day en route to Australia to promote the message of his widely acclaimed film An Inconvenient Truth, which lays out evidence for the potentially devastating effects of man-made climate change. "
Former US vice-president Al Gore will visit Auckland next month to tell key business leaders and politicians in a closed meeting that they must act now to avert climate change catastrophe.
Gore will jet in on November 14 for half a day en route to Australia to promote the message of his widely acclaimed film An Inconvenient Truth, which lays out evidence for the potentially devastating effects of man-made climate change. "
Clark on Stern report, 30/10/06
"these are the sorts of issues that would be canvassed in the range of
options that are coming up in a discussion paper on sustainable land use
and management (before xmas) ...issues around forestry and agricultural
land use "we would need to look at the transport area and decisions
which could be taken around, for example, the age at which cars can be
imported from offshore "so across all kinds of areas: energy generation,
the transport fleet, fuel emissions, aforestation, land use and
agriculture, there's going to have to be a comprehensive package."
Q: "In the UK, they're promoting an initiative encouraging people to use
their cars less...shifting from car use to alternative modes of
transport...is this something this government's considering?"
Clark: " this hasn't cropped up to the best of my recollection in the
optins we've been looking at; its fair to say of course, that up until
the past year, the Ministry of Transport hasn't really been particularly
engaged in theses issues, so we're starting policy development there
from a reasonably low base..
"the reality is that the high price of fuel in NZ particularly over the
past year and a half, or so has already effected quite a significant
change in people's transport behaviour and patterns, and public
transport usage has taken off...you'll be aware of the reports coming
out of Wellington where people are having to stand all the way into town
on the train; trains in Auckland, the usage is soaring, and bus use is
transport
"i see this as a very, very positive problem to have because it not only
eases congestion in the city, but its also going to make a contribution
to the greenhouse gas reduction programme...so those are the sorts of /SPAN>
issues we've been looking at.
"the reality is that the volatility upwards in the price of fuel
probably put a much greater burden on the consumers' purse than the
carbon charge (govt's scrapped carbon tax) would've.
"the debate is moving really fast...onecan see that sustainability
issues are really a huge focus of debate in the western social
democratic parties and indeed in governments more generally; when push
comes to shove and when more is known in New Zealand about the size and
scale of the problem, it may well be that people say yes, we do need a
balanced package of measures between sticks andcarrots ....its all
promising in terms of the climate change issue no longer being remote,
abstract, theoretical...people are starting to see that this is real and
has got implications for us.
"i detect a lot of enthusiasm in officialdom for upping the level of
work in this area; we have been doing an evaluation of how that first
sustainable development plan of action went and where we take the plan
from there...i think i would be looking to my prime minister's statement
next February to indicate more direction and policy substance around
these issue and we'll continue to build on that.
Q: Is the government going to invest more in public transport?
Clark:...sure, there's going to have to be growing, ongoing investment;
we have hugely increased spending on public transport but clearly there
is a need for more; when you see the pressure on the system in
Wellington and Auckland particularly, an when you see the impact that
the increased fuel prices have had on the private motor car, yes there's
going to have to be more.
--
"these are the sorts of issues that would be canvassed in the range of
options that are coming up in a discussion paper on sustainable land use
and management (before xmas) ...issues around forestry and agricultural
land use "we would need to look at the transport area and decisions
which could be taken around, for example, the age at which cars can be
imported from offshore "so across all kinds of areas: energy generation,
the transport fleet, fuel emissions, aforestation, land use and
agriculture, there's going to have to be a comprehensive package."
Q: "In the UK, they're promoting an initiative encouraging people to use
their cars less...shifting from car use to alternative modes of
transport...is this something this government's considering?"
Clark: " this hasn't cropped up to the best of my recollection in the
optins we've been looking at; its fair to say of course, that up until
the past year, the Ministry of Transport hasn't really been particularly
engaged in theses issues, so we're starting policy development there
from a reasonably low base..
"the reality is that the high price of fuel in NZ particularly over the
past year and a half, or so has already effected quite a significant
change in people's transport behaviour and patterns, and public
transport usage has taken off...you'll be aware of the reports coming
out of Wellington where people are having to stand all the way into town
on the train; trains in Auckland, the usage is soaring, and bus use is
transport
"i see this as a very, very positive problem to have because it not only
eases congestion in the city, but its also going to make a contribution
to the greenhouse gas reduction programme...so those are the sorts of /SPAN>
issues we've been looking at.
"the reality is that the volatility upwards in the price of fuel
probably put a much greater burden on the consumers' purse than the
carbon charge (govt's scrapped carbon tax) would've.
"the debate is moving really fast...onecan see that sustainability
issues are really a huge focus of debate in the western social
democratic parties and indeed in governments more generally; when push
comes to shove and when more is known in New Zealand about the size and
scale of the problem, it may well be that people say yes, we do need a
balanced package of measures between sticks andcarrots ....its all
promising in terms of the climate change issue no longer being remote,
abstract, theoretical...people are starting to see that this is real and
has got implications for us.
"i detect a lot of enthusiasm in officialdom for upping the level of
work in this area; we have been doing an evaluation of how that first
sustainable development plan of action went and where we take the plan
from there...i think i would be looking to my prime minister's statement
next February to indicate more direction and policy substance around
these issue and we'll continue to build on that.
Q: Is the government going to invest more in public transport?
Clark:...sure, there's going to have to be growing, ongoing investment;
we have hugely increased spending on public transport but clearly there
is a need for more; when you see the pressure on the system in
Wellington and Auckland particularly, an when you see the impact that
the increased fuel prices have had on the private motor car, yes there's
going to have to be more.
--
Stern Review Report
The pre-publication edition of the Stern Review Report on the Economics of Climate Change is available to be downloaded below either on a chapter-by-chapter basis or in parts covering broader themes. "
The pre-publication edition of the Stern Review Report on the Economics of Climate Change is available to be downloaded below either on a chapter-by-chapter basis or in parts covering broader themes. "
NZ leaders respond to dire report on climate change
Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand is already implementing policies to deal with the climate change issues highlighted in a new report that warns of impending global catatastrophe.
A report commissioned by the British Treasury and authored by the former World Bank chief economist Sir Nicholas Sterns warns of a global catastrophe unless billions are spent now to offset global warming.
Helen Clark told Morning Report that New Zealand is putting in place sustainable policies affecting forests, energy efficiency in homes and car emissions."
Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand is already implementing policies to deal with the climate change issues highlighted in a new report that warns of impending global catatastrophe.
A report commissioned by the British Treasury and authored by the former World Bank chief economist Sir Nicholas Sterns warns of a global catastrophe unless billions are spent now to offset global warming.
Helen Clark told Morning Report that New Zealand is putting in place sustainable policies affecting forests, energy efficiency in homes and car emissions."
PM's Address to NZ Labour Party Annual Conference
There is also the great environmental challenge of the unsustainable way of life of developed nations like ours.
As Britain's Environment Secretary said last month, the United Kingdom is living as if there were three planets to support us, not one. So are we. That can't go on.
The issues have come to a head with the climate change crisis - with extreme weather variation and its impact on human life and the natural environment.
The climate change deniers are in retreat as the evidence mounts. Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is helping spread public awareness of the scale of the problem.
Here in New Zealand we did the right thing in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and resolving to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
But it did come as a blow to learn that the net credit position we thought we had in the first commitment period had become a net deficit position.
That sent us back to the drawing boards to look for better, more comprehensive strategies.
Now policy decisions, proposals, and initiatives to help us pull our weight on climate change and on sustainability more broadly are pouring out - on everything from solar heating and fuel efficiency in the transport fleet, to afforestation and sustainable land use.
I believe it's time to be bold in this area.
Why shouldn't New Zealand aim to be the first country which is truly sustainable - not by sacrificing our living standards, but by being smart and determined?
We can now move to develop more renewable energy, biofuels, public transport alternatives, and minimise, if not eliminate, waste to landfills.
We could aim to be carbon neutral.
I believe that sustainability will be a core value in 21st century social democracy.
• I want New Zealand to be in the vanguar"
There is also the great environmental challenge of the unsustainable way of life of developed nations like ours.
As Britain's Environment Secretary said last month, the United Kingdom is living as if there were three planets to support us, not one. So are we. That can't go on.
The issues have come to a head with the climate change crisis - with extreme weather variation and its impact on human life and the natural environment.
The climate change deniers are in retreat as the evidence mounts. Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is helping spread public awareness of the scale of the problem.
Here in New Zealand we did the right thing in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and resolving to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
But it did come as a blow to learn that the net credit position we thought we had in the first commitment period had become a net deficit position.
That sent us back to the drawing boards to look for better, more comprehensive strategies.
Now policy decisions, proposals, and initiatives to help us pull our weight on climate change and on sustainability more broadly are pouring out - on everything from solar heating and fuel efficiency in the transport fleet, to afforestation and sustainable land use.
I believe it's time to be bold in this area.
Why shouldn't New Zealand aim to be the first country which is truly sustainable - not by sacrificing our living standards, but by being smart and determined?
We can now move to develop more renewable energy, biofuels, public transport alternatives, and minimise, if not eliminate, waste to landfills.
We could aim to be carbon neutral.
I believe that sustainability will be a core value in 21st century social democracy.
• I want New Zealand to be in the vanguar"
Labour switches focus to climate change
Climate change has emerged as a key issue for Labour in the wake of its weekend annual conference.
Prime Minister Helen Clark told Morning Report that Labour has always embraced the issue, and ratified the Kyoto protocol on climate change as soon as it could.
She says sustainability will be the watchword in future for all social democratic governments, including Labour, and the appropriate policies are now coming through on the issue.
Miss Clark says she went into the weekend conference confident of the Labour party's support. Almost 700 party members attended - the largest number since 1986 - with Labour seeking to put the election spending row and the Taito Phillip Field affair behind it.
Miss Clark told Morning Report there was never any chance the party would blame her for its woes, and there are more important things to consider, particularly climate change, which is making headlines daily around the world.
She says the party is putting issues like the pledge card behind it, with fundraising to cover its outstanding bills well in hand.
Radio New Zealand's political editor says delegates were mostly unfazed by the party's troubles this year, and offered strong support for the fundraising efforts.
Bold response called for
In her keynote speech to the conference on Saturday, the Prime Minister says it is time to be bold in response to climate change, and is promising new policies to steer New Zealand towards an environmentally sustainable future.
Miss Clark said New Zealand should aim to be the first country to be truly sustainable. She said this could be done by being smart and determined, without sacrificing living standards.
She said the"
Climate change has emerged as a key issue for Labour in the wake of its weekend annual conference.
Prime Minister Helen Clark told Morning Report that Labour has always embraced the issue, and ratified the Kyoto protocol on climate change as soon as it could.
She says sustainability will be the watchword in future for all social democratic governments, including Labour, and the appropriate policies are now coming through on the issue.
Miss Clark says she went into the weekend conference confident of the Labour party's support. Almost 700 party members attended - the largest number since 1986 - with Labour seeking to put the election spending row and the Taito Phillip Field affair behind it.
Miss Clark told Morning Report there was never any chance the party would blame her for its woes, and there are more important things to consider, particularly climate change, which is making headlines daily around the world.
She says the party is putting issues like the pledge card behind it, with fundraising to cover its outstanding bills well in hand.
Radio New Zealand's political editor says delegates were mostly unfazed by the party's troubles this year, and offered strong support for the fundraising efforts.
Bold response called for
In her keynote speech to the conference on Saturday, the Prime Minister says it is time to be bold in response to climate change, and is promising new policies to steer New Zealand towards an environmentally sustainable future.
Miss Clark said New Zealand should aim to be the first country to be truly sustainable. She said this could be done by being smart and determined, without sacrificing living standards.
She said the"
