Climate change stories
New Zealand could slash transport emissions by up to 88% by 2050 if policymakers back a faster switch to electric and renewable fuel vehicles.
Road freight operators say the new works will ease bottlenecks, but they want four-lane routes to match future traffic growth.
Craigieburn motorists could soon drive on a 300-metre test road made from 200,000 plastic bags and 63,000 glass bottles.
Scientists warn the world could breach 1.5C as soon as 2030, raising flood, drought and sea level risks unless emissions fall sharply.
Residents and developers could face tighter rules as Sydney commits to net zero carbon buildings by 2050 and new builds by 2030.
Bitcoin mining is already drawing billions of gallons of freshwater a year, raising fresh questions about who pays for its hidden costs.
A record 70 projects have made the 2018 National Architecture Awards shortlist, underscoring architects’ growing focus on sustainability and design.
Cities could cut treatment costs and recover water, nutrients and carbon by replacing end-of-pipe sanitation with nature-based systems.
Lower vacancy rates in Auckland and Wellington are boosting landlords' returns, with Green Star office buildings drawing tenants more quickly than the wider market.
Delaying climate reform could make New Zealand’s shift to a low-emissions economy costlier, more abrupt and far harder to manage.
New Zealand architects will hear how buildings can cope with heat, cold and rising climate risks when Kai-Uwe Bergmann visits in September.
Northland’s fast-moving network of chargers is helping EV drivers reach Cape Reinga, with 13 stations now in place across the region.
Consumer NZ says mandatory sunscreen standards and a sunbed ban are needed after a study confirmed New Zealand leads the world in skin cancer.
Corrosion and extreme weather may have weakened the ageing Genoa motorway bridge, which collapsed and killed and injured dozens.
Space, safety and pollution concerns are driving a rethink in central Melbourne, where streets may be narrowed and parking repurposed.
The rail operator plans to measure and report emissions, while shifting more freight off roads could cut New Zealand's annual output by 518,000 tonnes.
Consumers are being misled by confusing plastic labels, as experts call for clearer standards and tougher government oversight.
Lower-emission cars could become more affordable in New Zealand if ministers adopt incentives, fuel pricing reforms and tougher scrappage rules.
Drought-hit cities are turning sewage into a valuable supply, cutting demand on drinking water and easing pressure on rivers and seas.
A lack of concrete policy could leave New Zealand’s 2050 climate goals out of reach, academics warn as consultation opens on the Zero Carbon Bill.
