Climate change stories
New Zealand’s shift away from fossil fuels has a dedicated national hub, as Ara Ake opens to test clean energy options for wider uptake.
The milestone could help ease housing and emissions pressures, as the one-piece build cut material, time and budget by about 60 per cent.
New transmission upgrades and extra storage will be needed as the smelter’s exit frees up 12% of New Zealand’s electricity, experts say.
The site could draw USD $2 billion to USD $4 billion in logistics investment and ease freight congestion around Palmerston North.
Consumers faced an extra USD $80 million bill as the Electricity Authority found Meridian’s spilling also raised emissions and fossil fuel use.
The project will add 93 MW of capacity and offset 100,000 tonnes of CO2 a year as MainPower begins site works near Waipara.
Global cooperation and heavy state intervention would favour low-carbon infrastructure, while fossil-fuel projects and greenfield builds are marginalised.
Private technology firms are poised to dominate infrastructure, as automation and data reshape jobs, services and investment across the sector.
Regional blocs and national champions could leave infrastructure slower to innovate, more monopolistic and less resilient as climate risks mount.
Planners warn the rushed consents could sideline community input and environmental safeguards as recovery projects are sped through this month.
Public buildings face tighter access controls as coronavirus drives demand for safer, greener entrance systems across Australia and New Zealand.
Domestic travel spending could help cushion the sector as international arrivals slump and businesses await the effect of a new campaign.
Experts say the $50 billion COVID-19 recovery plan will lift jobs and infrastructure, but warn it leaves big tax and housing gaps.
Better freight services and more reliable trains are set to follow, as the funding also covers new ferries and ageing locomotives.
Buyers in Auckland’s Belmont are being offered sustainably built terraced homes with electric bikes as New Zealand eases property viewing restrictions.
New Zealand’s wage subsidy extension and infrastructure spending are meant to blunt soaring unemployment as the economy heads into recession.
Temporary changes to resource consenting could speed up Covid-19 recovery projects, though councils warn wider planning reforms must follow.
Lockdowns are set to cut CO2 emissions by at least 5% this year, but any climate gain could be erased unless stimulus backs cleaner growth.
e-Waste is the world's fastest-growing domestic waste stream, fueled by consumption rates of equipment, short life cycles, and few options for repair.
Schneider Electric and EcoDataCenter have teamed up with the shared goal of advancing sustainability and eco-friendly practices in the data centre world.