'Inaccurate' methane measure drives NZ climate policy

'Inaccurate' methane measure drives NZ climate policy
NZ's methane emissions need to come down, but measuring them correctly also matters. (Image: Getty)
Adrian Macey and Dave Frame
New Zealand has promised cuts to greenhouse gas emissions using a measure that substantially overstates the global-warming effect of constant levels of methane emissions, say climate change experts Dave Frame and Adrian Macey.In the third part of a series being published by BusinessDesk, setting out how NZ reached its climate change policies, Frame and Macey argue that the so-called GWP100 measure used to calculate methane emissions “greatly overstates the warming caused by NZ’s methane in relation to the Paris Agreement’s lon...

More Policy

Govt announces first three 'regional deal' contenders
Policy

Govt announces first three 'regional deal' contenders

Ministers want regions to consider 'asset recycling', among other funding tools.

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades
Policy

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades

Two of the biggest NZ ports are raising prices as they plan major investments.

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'
Policy

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'

Adam Feeley on the reluctance to call out poor performers in NZ infrastructure sector.

Oliver Lewis 30 Jun 2025
Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations
Policy

Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations

Auckland Council will need to provide for building heights of at least 10-15 storeys.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025