Rainy 2022 drove down NZ's greenhouse gas emissions

Rainy 2022 drove down NZ's greenhouse gas emissions
New Zealand's emissions fell in 2022, largely because of reduced coal and gas generation as wet weather provided plentiful hydro resources. (Photo: NZME)
Greg Hurrell
Wet weather in 2022 played a large role in a 4% decrease in gross emissions from the year before. It was the third year-on-year decrease in a row.New Zealand’s gross emissions fell by 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2-e) from 81.8 Mt CO2-e in 2021 to 78.4 Mt CO2e, a figure more than triple the total emissions of 1 Mt CO2-e from domestic aviation.The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) released its annual greenhouse gas inventory on April 18. The latest data set is for 2022 due to the lead time in gathering the data.NZ’s ne...

More Environment

Breakthrough could end NZ’s hazardous medical waste exports
Environment

Breakthrough could end NZ’s hazardous medical waste exports

The first low-emissions processing plant is expected to start up in Auckland next year.

Greg Hurrell 27 Aug 2025
Think like a forest and save billions of dollars
Environment

Think like a forest and save billions of dollars

A new half-hour documentary makes the case for native reforestation.

Greg Hurrell 22 Aug 2025
Got $50m? Help rebuild Scott Base
Infrastructure

Got $50m? Help rebuild Scott Base

Antarctica NZ is seeking private funds, and the UAE is touted as a possible source.

Oliver Lewis 21 Aug 2025
Inside Goodnature's 'world-leading' trap factory
Environment

Inside Goodnature's 'world-leading' trap factory

Goodnature CEO Shoemack wants to "flip the industry upside down".

Gregor Thompson 13 Aug 2025