Small steps are underway to pay other countries to help meet New Zealand's international climate change commitments

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New Zealand is taking incremental steps to meet its international climate commitments, including the possibility of paying other nations, such as Ghana, to implement clean technologies on its behalf, a practice already used by countries like Switzerland. However, critics warn that this may represent "carbon colonialism," suggesting New Zealand should address its own emissions rather than outsourcing the problem. This mirrors global discussions about equitable climate responsibility.

In Australia, despite its ongoing climate policy challenges, there has been an unexpected triumph: the rapid adoption of rooftop solar power. With more than 3.7 million households and small businesses using solar systems, Australia is a leader in decentralised solar energy, setting an example for New Zealand. In the U.S., New York State exceeded its solar energy installation goals, adding enough capacity to power a million homes, which highlights how distributed solar projects can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating thousands of jobs.

Meanwhile, the U.S. power grid has seen a remarkable growth in battery storage, adding an amount equivalent to 20 nuclear reactors in just four years. This advancement helps balance renewable energy sources like wind and solar, especially during periods of low generation. On the global stage, Oxfam's latest report critiques the immense carbon footprints of the world's richest individuals, with billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos contributing disproportionately to emissions through their luxury consumption.

For individuals seeking to lower their emissions, experts advocate focusing on fuel efficiency and switching to electric alternatives, a concept promoted by Rewiring Aotearoa. Small changes can lead to significant reductions in energy use and costs. In technological innovation, a new carbon capture solution made from a yellow powder can absorb as much CO2 as a tree, demonstrating promising advances in atmospheric CO2 reduction.

Educational efforts to combat climate change are also gaining momentum, with New Zealand’s Ministry of Education rolling out a transformative climate education framework, integrating climate science with mental health support for students. Additionally, initiatives to restore biodiversity are proving effective, such as Marine Protected Areas and wetland rehabilitation, offering hope for reversing biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, an art exhibition in San Francisco, "The Poetics of Dimensions", repurposes waste materials like plastic bags and computer keys into thought-provoking artwork, spotlighting the environmental and social impact of consumerism and waste.

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New Zealand appears to be inching its way towards paying other countries to fight climate change on its behalf. If New Zealand goes ahead, it will echo practices of countries such as Switzerland, which has paid the African nation of Ghana to use clean technologies such as biofuels. Is “carbon colonialism” taking the easy way out by paying poorer states to do the hard work on their behalf. ‘Fixing’ the issues in New Zealand itself makes much more long-term sense. Read more…

In Australia it’s difficult to overstate how rapidly Australians have embraced solar power – there’s now more rooftop solar than coal-fired power. Could the NZ government learn from Australia success? More than 3.7m households and small businesses have solar systems. More than one in three homes generate their own power when the sun is out. An upfront national rebate that is processed by and paid to the installer that is progressively wound back as solar becomes more affordable – maintains wide support, including from both major political parties.  Read more… 

The state of New York recently met its goal of installing 6 gigawatts of solar power one year ahead of schedule. Distributed solar is at the heart of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the availability of renewable energy, and delivering substantial benefits for our health, our environment, and our economy (14,000 solar jobs statewide in a variety of roles). in 2023 alone, 885 megawatts worth of solar projects were installed, raising the total amount of private equity invested into the state’s solar energy market to $9.2 billion. Read more…

Sticking with renewable energy, the US power grid added battery equivalent of 20 nuclear reactors in the past four years. The Pace of growth helps maintain renewable energy when weather conditions interfere with wind and solar. From barely anything just a few years ago, the US is now adding utility-scale batteries at a dizzying pace, having installed more than 20 gigawatts of battery capacity to the electric grid, with 5GW of this occurring just in the first seven months of this year. Read more…

On the carbon front, did you know the world’s 50 richest billionaires can match the average person’s lifetime emissions in just 90 minutes according to the latest Oxfam report? Between private jets, yachts and investments in destructive companies, the rich elite are accelerating the failure of our 1.5℃ carbon budget, which is on track to be used up by January 2029. In fact, if the world’s population were to adopt the transportation habits of those 50 elites, the 250 gigaton budget would be gone in just two days. Read more…

The key to eliminating emissions is focusing on reducing our reliance on fuels, by simply swapping fossil fuel machines for more efficient, better-performing options can significantly reduce emissions. What’s more, is that these options are often significantly cheaper than their fossil fuel alternatives, even when accounting for upfront costs. This is the mission Rewiring Aotearoa as set out on. If you have the choice between a fossil fuel machine or an electric one, make your next machine electric. Especially if you’re earning as much as an Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos. Read more…

Carbon capture is usually voiced as a means for the rich to continue their high emitting activities, instead of reducing their emissions. However, broad scientific consensus is that carbon will need to be removed from the atmosphere, and we found this innovation fascinating. Student inventors at UC Berkeley have created a yellow powder, where roughly half a kilogram can capture roughly 40 kilograms of carbon dioxide. This is about the same amount of carbon dioxide that a large tree does by the time it reaches maturity. Read more… 

Theresa Bowen, a Year 5–6 teacher in Dunedin, is enthusiastic about the Ministry of Education’s new climate education framework, which she calls transformative. The initiative, part of the Carbon Neutral Government Programme, helps schools track and reduce emissions, prioritising transport. At Northeast Valley Normal School, Theresa leads efforts like establishing a walking school bus and switching to wood-pellet heating. She balances climate science with mental health for students, ensuring they are informed without feeling overwhelmed. The "On Our Way" program further supports schools’ climate literacy and low-carbon goals. Read more… 

World leaders gathered in Colombia to discuss strategies for combating biodiversity loss. A study confirms that conservation measures like protected areas and habitat restoration can slow or reverse biodiversity decline. Proven methods include establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard oceans, removing invasive species to restore ecosystems, and rehabilitating wetlands. Additionally, saving keystone species such as beavers and elephants boosts ecosystem health, while rewilding forests supports carbon capture and wildlife. These initiatives are pivotal to achieving global conservation targets like the 30x30 plan for land and ocean protection. Read more…

The Institute for Contemporary Art in San Francisco features The Poetics of Dimensions, an exhibition highlighting artworks crafted from discarded objects. Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah and Alison Gass, the show repurposes everyday waste—from plastic bags to computer keys—into artistic expressions. Miguel Arzabe’s woven tapestry, created from art catalogues, and Hugo McCloud’s plastic bag art are highlights that critique consumerism and waste. The exhibition, displayed in San Francisco’s Cube building, emphasising the global waste cycle and the social impact of repurposing discarded materials. Read more…

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