Climate
'Astounding' heat for two months in near-record year
2023 was one of NZ's hottest on record, but far from the wettest, while Whakatāne and Nelson have lost their crown as the country's sunniest spots.
2023 confirmed as world's hottest year on record
The year 2023 has been confirmed as the warmest on record, driven by human-caused climate change and boosted by the natural El Niño weather event.
Norway approves controversial deep-sea mining
It means the hunt for precious metals in high demand for green technologies can be accelerated.
El Niño bites in the Pacific
Some Pacific nations are feeling the bite of El Niño through dry conditions, while others in drought get relief through above average rainfall.
One of our few native frogs could disappear in decades
The Hochstetter's frog is suffering through a dry summer and could disappear over the next several decades.
Cricket's own climate crisis
Analysis: As an outdoor summer game in which the natural environment plays a unique role, cricket is perhaps the pitch sport most at risk from a changing climate.
New community climate adaptation pilot for Northland
A new community-led pilot focused on improving climate change adaptation and resilience in Northland's Oakura district has launched.
Lessons from a year of floods
Communities devastated by severe weather in 2023 are facing hard decisions. Kate Green investigates.
El Niño looms large over tourism this summer
The industry is bracing for the weather pattern during a busy season.
Stricter plan adopted as signs point to higher wildfire risk for capital's parks
Wellington's regional parks are getting a new wildfire risk management system in preparation for a hot summer.
NZ will meet first target for transport emissions cuts without EV subsidy, Simeon Brown says
The Transport Minister says advice shows scrapping EV payments won't derail the country from meeting its first carbon budget, which runs from 2022-2025.
Stalled cycling and walking project will not receive more funding - Transport Minister
Simeon Brown has confirmed all Transport Choices programmes put on hold in October will not receive further funding.
What we need to do to move on climate change commitments
The United Nations conference on Climate Change, or COP28, wrapped up in Dubai last week, agreeing to ratchet up climate action before the end of the decade. Chief Executive Officer of Eco Choice… Audio
Pine or native forest? There's a third way
Analysis - We need to cut emissions drastically. But we also need to remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as possible over the next 20 years.
Scientists' letter calls for freshwater protections to remain
Scientists and leaders have sent an open letter appealing to the prime minister not to change the country's freshwater policy.
2020: Jane Fonda
Actor, producer, activist and former fitness guru, Jane Fonda reflects on her relationship with climate change activism in her 2020 book: ‘What Can I Do? My Path from Climate Despair to Action’. She… Audio
Man-made 'liquid trees' cleaning the air in Serbia
Dr. Ivan Spasojevic has created "liquid trees" which turn carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen and further help to clean harmful pollutants from the air. He talks to First Up about his world-first… Audio
Parliament repeals Clean Car Discount
Parliament has repealed the Clean Car Discount, labelled by National the "ute tax", as it continues to sit in urgency in the lead-up to the Christmas break.
Pacific leaders critical of COP28 deal
Pacific climate leaders are critical of the new COP 28 deal, released overnight after marathon negotiations. The deal calls on all countries to move away from the use of fossil fuels but does not… Audio
Modelling reveals Te Ngākau Civic Square flood risk
Wellington City Council is hopeful buildings in Te Ngākau Civic Square will be fine in a big flood - but that could be up-ended by fresh climate change data.
