Paris agreement 'more for big countries' says NZ climate minister

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The integrity of New Zealand’s climate change goals and commitment are in question… again, after Climate Change Minister Simon Watts told attendees at an event organised by Waikato Federated Farmers that New Zealand committed to the Paris Agreement’s climate goals purely out of optics. So New Zealand “could be seen to do its part”. What’s worse, is that he downplayed the potential costs we could face as a country if we don’t meet our targets, saying “no one sends you an invoice” if these commitments aren’t met.

While this isn’t the case, the climate change minister’s lack of care toward New Zealand’s climate targets are echoed again with the appointment of a second fossil fuel advocate to the board of New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) in December 2024. Whilst he was appointed by former energy minister, Simeon Brown, Simon Watts sees no issues with his appointment, citing a more balanced view on the energy transition.

New Zealand will be seeing nationwide increases in electricity costs from April this year, as Transpower seeks to fund grid investments. With gentailers making record profits and two advocates for increasingly costly fossil fuels sitting on EECA’s board, will those with power have vulnerable consumers in mind? And will hardship funds be enough to lessen the negative impacts of energy poverty?

In other news, the high energy consumption of mining Bitcoin is back under the magnifying glass. Miners seeking low-cost electricity are resorting to countries with low grid security, often adding to the problem with increasing energy demands. Keep the lights on or mine Bitcoin? The answer to that question may have effects on both the environment and people’s livelihoods worldwide.

It’s important with the rise of energy and environmentally intensive technologies that we rid of any misconceptions surrounding clean energy solutions. Electric vehicles really are better for the environment than traditional vehicles, even when accounting for manufacturing. CleanTech – also referred to as climate technology, is critical for New Zealand’s decarbonisation journey, but CleanTech innovators in New Zealand are raising 95 percent less investment than other small, advanced economies. While the funding of CleanTech is seeing decreases worldwide, funding for climate innovations in the built world are seeing less of a decrease.

While technology improves in the background, new mindsets such as climatemaxxing can encourage both individual action and collective efforts in living more sustainably. We should also consider more niche solutions when addressing climate change, such as reintroducing wolves to Scotland’s highlands.

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Here is the full list of articles...

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts told attendees at an event organised by Waikato Federated Farmers that the Paris Climate agreement was more for big countries that NZ only joined so "it could be seen to do its part" and that the targets were essentially aspirational, as "no one sends you an invoice". Other commentators have now asked if these comments may lead to questions about the integrity of New Zealand's climate change goals and commitments, which are requirements of some key trade agreements.  Read more…

John Carnegie, a fossil fuel advocate, was appointed to the board of New Zealand's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) in December 2024. As the CEO of Energy Resources Aotearoa, he had previously criticised EECA's clean energy grants for harming the fossil fuel industry. Carnegie's appointment has raised questions - especially as EECA promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy - about both the fossil fuel industries' influence on key regulatory decisions and EECA's commitment to renewable energy and achieving New Zealand’s net-zero goals.  Read more… 

Power prices in New Zealand are rising due to increased revenue limits for Transpower and local network companies, aimed at funding grid investments. From April 1, most households will see price hikes of around $10 per month. This affects vulnerable customers, particularly those on low-use plans or with pre-pay power. Power companies, including Meridian, Genesis, and Contact, are making record profits, while offering some support through credits and hardship assistance. However, continued price hikes are expected, further straining those already struggling to pay bills.  Read more…

The mining of cryptocurrencies is incredibly energy intensive, with the mining of just one currency (Bitcoin) consuming more energy than is used by all of Pakistan. To keep costs down, miners look for where they can access cheap electricity. CNN exposes how unfortunately this often falls within countries like Paraguay, Ethiopia, and Georgia where access to electricity is not reliable, forcing locals to turn to fossil fuels for energy when the cheap renewables are being used for mining. Greater regulatory interventions could ensure the expanding crypto industry doesn’t have unintended environmental consequences. Read more…

Contrary to common misinformation, research shows that electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t as bad for the climate as combustion vehicles. Although emissions from manufacturing EVs can be higher, most of a vehicle’s emissions occur during the portion of its life when it is driven: comparing lifetime emissions, the average EV creates 52% fewer than the average combustion vehicle, depending on the electricity mix available where the EV is charged. More emissions reductions are possible if manufacturers switch to using renewable energy and if a greater number of vehicle types are electrified. Read more…

Business as usual is not enough in the face of climate change, and New Zealand will need innovators of CleanTech to create emission reducing products, services, and processes. CleanTech innovators present New Zealand with a significant economic opportunity on the global stage. However, independent research has shown that innovators in New Zealand raise 95 percent less investment than other small advanced economies. We need to advocate for a stronger commitment to environmental innovation, as the success of our innovators often depends on new ways of thinking across culture, policy and infrastructure. Read more…

The need for environmental innovation rings especially true in the built world, which accounts for nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions. However, whilst global funding of CleanTech decreased by 13 percent in 2024, the funding of built world technologies only experienced a 7 percent decline. Between AI driven energy management, robotics for renewable energy inspection and deployment and a sharp increase in electrification, 2025 looks to be a great year for innovations in the built world, offering practical and scalable solutions to some of our most pressing climate challenges. Read more… 

Climatemaxxing reframes climate action as an aspirational challenge rather than a guilt-driven burden. Inspired by internet trends like gymmaxxing and sleepmaxxing, it encourages individuals to optimise their climate-friendly choices, from biking to advocating for greener policies. The concept counters the despair linked to personal carbon footprints and climate inaction, promoting a balance between individual and collective efforts. By gamifying sustainability and injecting positivity into climate discourse, climatemaxxing offers a fresh, engaging approach to environmental responsibility, making action feel rewarding rather than sacrificial.  Read more… 

Reintroducing wolves to Scotland’s Highlands could expand native woodlands and store up to one million tonnes of CO2 annually, according to a University of Leeds study. Wolves would help control red deer, whose grazing prevents tree regeneration. Researchers estimate 167 wolves could reduce deer populations enough to support natural woodland recovery, contributing 5% of the UK’s carbon removal target. While concerns exist, particularly among farmers and deer stalkers, scientists emphasise the potential climate and biodiversity benefits, stressing the need for public engagement and policy planning for successful reintroduction. Read more…

Hydrology Report - 13th March 2025

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