NZ climate policy: spend on action, not carbon credits

NZ climate policy: spend on action, not carbon credits
Electrification of industrial process heat is vital to reducing NZ's carbon emissions. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
New Zealand should pursue climate change policies that reward the country’s high levels of renewable electricity and efficiency as an agricultural producer instead of treating both as millstones to achieving carbon emissions reductions.“It would certainly mean faster progress to net zero for us,” climate policy critics Adrian Macey and Dave Frame argue in the final of a five-part series on BusinessDesk, published this morning.“If only a fraction of the money that would have had to be found for carbon credits were availab...

More Policy

KiwiSaver providers want more out of retirement reform
Policy

KiwiSaver providers want more out of retirement reform

The Retirement Commissioner says KiwiSaver does not work equally well for everyone.

Digital Investment Plan expected this month
Policy

Digital Investment Plan expected this month

Health NZ to release its 10-year Digital Investment Plan in Christchurch.

Cécile Meier 14 Nov 2025
Emissions impacts of NZ's largest companies under microscope
Policy

Emissions impacts of NZ's largest companies under microscope

Nearly half of NZ's biggest companies increased their emissions last year.

Michael Neilson 13 Nov 2025
Electricity Authority launches review as questions linger
Policy Analysis

Electricity Authority launches review as questions linger

The review has been described as a ‘rare opportunity for genuine transformation’. 

Ian Llewellyn 10 Nov 2025