Govt finalises geothermal strategy and commits to $50m boost
Thu 19 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government has launched a plan to grow geothermal energy and committed a further $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support early-stage projects and drive expansion of the sector.
LNG sold as insurance, but modelling points to a bigger role
Thu 19 Mar 2026
New Zealand’s gas market is heading for a sharp contraction whether the country sticks with domestic supply alone or introduces liquefied natural gas imports.
ECan says coastal protection a priority despite planning handbrake
Thu 19 Mar 2026
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | Canterbury’s regional council says it is continuing to address coastal protection rules, but conservationists say it is not acting fast enough.
Govt process to change climate plan ‘fundamentally flawed’, says judge
Wed 18 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | The government’s 2024 changes to New Zealand’s first Emissions Reduction Plan was “as fundamentally flawed a process as I think I have ever seen”, the judge presiding in a case challenging climate change decision-making has said.
Disestablishing Environment Ministry 'too risky', say environmental advocates
Wed 18 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government's plan to fold the Ministry for the Environment into a 'mega ministry' is fraught with risk, according to separate submissions from the Environmental Defence Society, Forest & Bird and Environment Network Manawatū.
CARBON PRICE
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Exclusively for subscribers, the Carbon News NZU Index tracks daily movements in the compliance carbon market across multiple trading platforms.
MfE forecasts suggest diminishing NZU stockpile
Thu 19 Mar 2026
By Clive Bradbury | ANALYSIS: The Ministry for the Environment has updated its NZ ETS forecasts of emissions, removals and entitlements from the Crown's financial forecasting, with predictions pointing to a significant drop in the ‘stockpile’ this year.
NZ urged to grab a slice of burgeoning $35 billion market for nature credits
13 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand could unlock strong domestic and international demand for high-integrity nature-based credits, if government, investors and restoration groups work together to scale supply, a new report says.
Unusual scarcity drives early 2026 NZU rally
5 Mar 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | The New Zealand carbon price has recovered since its late 2025 collapse, although the rally is driven by scarcity rather than confidence in market settings.
Bidders no-show at carbon auction – again
3 Mar 2026
By Liz Kivi | As predicted, today’s carbon auction yet again failed to attract any bidders, with NZUs currently trading hands on the secondary market at a 35% discount on this year’s auction floor price.
Countries slash workweek and enact strict AC and elevator bans in ‘energy triage’
Thu 19 Mar 2026
The escalating war with Iran is pushing parts of the world into energy triage, forcing governments to choose where to cut demand or absorb costs, while prioritising dwindling supplies.
Asia pivots to coal as Middle East conflict chokes LNG supply
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Asian utilities are boosting coal-fired power generation to cut costs and safeguard energy supply, industry officials say, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran chokes liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments and soaring prices threaten to suppress LNG demand.
Climate change is the latest weapon in warfare. Trump is indulging it
Thu 19 Mar 2026
The Iran war shows how fossil fuels, conflict and planetary crisis are now inseparable.
Global warming could make exercise harder and kill 500,000 more people a year, study warns
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Analysing data from 156 countries, researchers say each additional month of extreme heat could significantly increase global inactivity levels, especially in lower-income regions.
European carbon prices slide as EU considers intervening in market
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Europe's carbon price fell by more than 5% on Tuesday after the European Commission President said the bloc would consider making more carbon emissions permits available to help curb high energy prices.
EVs could cut fossil fuel dependence – but is our grid ready?
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Media release: University of Auckland | Fuel market volatility is highlighting the risks of New Zealand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and the need to accelerate EV‑ready infrastructure, says Professor Nirmal Nair.
CLIMATE CALENDAR
Thu 19 Mar 2026
The Carbon News calendar of talks, events, conferences, consultations, and petitions related to climate change.
Climate in the courtroom – where to from here?
Tue 17 Mar 2026
Media release: University of Auckland | Around the world, climate lawsuits are reshaping environmental law. Experts in Auckland are examining what this means for New Zealand.
Inquiry into fatal landslides in Tauranga
Tue 17 Mar 2026
Media release | Cabinet has agreed the Terms of Reference and membership for a Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga, Emergency Management and Recovery Associate Minister Chris Penk has announced.
Mountain Clubs speak out against draft approval of Waitaha Hydro Scheme
Mon 16 Mar 2026
Media release | The Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) is deeply disappointed by the Fast Track Panel's draft decision to approve Westpower's application for the Waitaha Hydro Scheme.
