Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) For Dummies

Geoff SimmonsEnvironment

We are just about to start a conversation about the Government’s emissions trading scheme and thought it would be useful to make a beginner’s guide to the ETS just in case you are not familiar with the details.   Emissions … Read More

The beach, the monkey and rationality

Gareth MorganEconomics, Environment

One of the tenets of classical economics is that markets are rational (in other words, logical), that in the end if enough people participate, the outcome will be optimal. This assumption is often criticised and is why governments intervene via … Read More

Little thinking behind beach purchase

Gareth MorganEnvironment

Kiwis have generously got behind a campaign to buy 7 hectares of beach and scrub, with the aim to fold it into the Abel Tasman National Park. So far the campaign has raised over $1.3m, attracting over 20,000 donors. Even … Read More

TPPA trust nz

TPPA – It Comes Down to Trust

Geoff SimmonsEnvironment

The controversy over the TPPA looks likely to continue right up to the signing and in the days afterward, with Prime Minister John Key confronting Maori indignation over lack of consultation, and Labour battling internal divisions. Jane Kelsey and other … Read More

Dealing with criminals in climate fraud

Geoff SimmonsEnvironment

The Government’s plan for meeting our Kyoto Protocol commitment and 2020 emissions reduction target was released this month. It reveals a shocking truth: New Zealand has been a willing participant in a wholesale climate fraud. We’ve been dealing with criminals … Read More

New Zealand – the climate Grinch

Paul YoungEnvironment

Earlier this month, the world received some very welcome news that global CO2 emissions are projected to fall in 2015 – the first time this has ever happened while the global economy has grown. Assuming it’s accurate, the world mainly … Read More