Robert McLachlan
@robertmclachlan.bsky.social
New Zealand mathematician, writing on climate & the environment at http://planetaryecology.org
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
A hidden but massive weakening of NZ climate policy is the shift from fuel excise to flat distance-based road-user charges. As Robert McLachlan points out here, it changes the effective carbon cost on petrol vehicles from $450/t to $50/t. That will have a huge impact on purchase decisions. 1/-
(PDF) The emissions impact of a shift to universal road user charging in New Zealand
PDF | A proposal by the New Zealand government to remove fuel excise duty and shift all light vehicles to road user changes (RUC) would reduce the... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on...
www.researchgate.net
January 21, 2026 at 1:48 AM
A hidden but massive weakening of NZ climate policy is the shift from fuel excise to flat distance-based road-user charges. As Robert McLachlan points out here, it changes the effective carbon cost on petrol vehicles from $450/t to $50/t. That will have a huge impact on purchase decisions. 1/-
The data at MBIE says gas reinjection at geothermal power stations really works, emissions intensity down by 2/3
January 20, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The data at MBIE says gas reinjection at geothermal power stations really works, emissions intensity down by 2/3
NZ geothermal power hit a new record on 28/12/25 – 29,367 MWh, meeting 31% of demand for the day. Looks like there will be more records set in days to come. Note a lot of capacity was offline in Nov-Dec for maintenance.
January 20, 2026 at 11:11 PM
NZ geothermal power hit a new record on 28/12/25 – 29,367 MWh, meeting 31% of demand for the day. Looks like there will be more records set in days to come. Note a lot of capacity was offline in Nov-Dec for maintenance.
RNZ WTF???
"Schlesier said the rain fell in torrential intensities of about 80mm an hour. Northland typically gets (SUBS: don't change gets to got as this sentence is not said by Schlesier) 80mm of rain in a normal January."
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"Schlesier said the rain fell in torrential intensities of about 80mm an hour. Northland typically gets (SUBS: don't change gets to got as this sentence is not said by Schlesier) 80mm of rain in a normal January."
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Northland's Punaruku gets more than whole summer's rain during weekend weather bomb
It recorded over 285.5mm of rain over the weekend.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 19, 2026 at 9:38 PM
RNZ WTF???
"Schlesier said the rain fell in torrential intensities of about 80mm an hour. Northland typically gets (SUBS: don't change gets to got as this sentence is not said by Schlesier) 80mm of rain in a normal January."
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"Schlesier said the rain fell in torrential intensities of about 80mm an hour. Northland typically gets (SUBS: don't change gets to got as this sentence is not said by Schlesier) 80mm of rain in a normal January."
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Scotland to introduce departure tax of £84-£1,097 per private jet passenger, depending on distance.
@350nz.bsky.social
@350nz.bsky.social
Starting in 2028, the Scottish Government said it will introduce a supplement to departure taxes for private jets so passengers “pay a fair share for that privilege” 👏 👏
www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...
www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...
Scottish Budget: Private jet tax introduced and peak ferry fares axed
New rail station at Winchburgh to be “delivered”
www.scotsman.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Scotland to introduce departure tax of £84-£1,097 per private jet passenger, depending on distance.
@350nz.bsky.social
@350nz.bsky.social
I can't do the fancy graphics but in 2025 Auckland had 51 unusually hot days and only 6 unusually cold ones. The El Nino year of 1998 is starting to look normal!
Of Auckland's 10 hottest-ever days by average temperature, 4 were in 2022 and 3 were in 1998.
Of Auckland's 10 hottest-ever days by average temperature, 4 were in 2022 and 3 were in 1998.
January 14, 2026 at 11:40 PM
I can't do the fancy graphics but in 2025 Auckland had 51 unusually hot days and only 6 unusually cold ones. The El Nino year of 1998 is starting to look normal!
Of Auckland's 10 hottest-ever days by average temperature, 4 were in 2022 and 3 were in 1998.
Of Auckland's 10 hottest-ever days by average temperature, 4 were in 2022 and 3 were in 1998.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Building communities in our most connected places makes sense, but often seems harder than it should be. So I’ve been working on a research project for Massey University documenting new or improved communities built up around public transport hubs in the UK - transit-oriented developments. 1/
January 12, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Building communities in our most connected places makes sense, but often seems harder than it should be. So I’ve been working on a research project for Massey University documenting new or improved communities built up around public transport hubs in the UK - transit-oriented developments. 1/
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
It's 2026!
And that means we are halfway through implementation of our Paris Agreement 2021-30 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
NZ's NDC is a "responsibility target", that is, it is a target for the sum of domestic emissions and reductions achieved through international cooperation. 1/-
And that means we are halfway through implementation of our Paris Agreement 2021-30 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
NZ's NDC is a "responsibility target", that is, it is a target for the sum of domestic emissions and reductions achieved through international cooperation. 1/-
January 11, 2026 at 3:14 AM
It's 2026!
And that means we are halfway through implementation of our Paris Agreement 2021-30 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
NZ's NDC is a "responsibility target", that is, it is a target for the sum of domestic emissions and reductions achieved through international cooperation. 1/-
And that means we are halfway through implementation of our Paris Agreement 2021-30 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
NZ's NDC is a "responsibility target", that is, it is a target for the sum of domestic emissions and reductions achieved through international cooperation. 1/-
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
That'd be my shop, Wide Awakes! wideawakes.army
Fun fact: it's a twist on an old poster celebrating Lincoln's 1860 election!
I sent my poster as a gift to Mayor Mamdani, and it's made a cameo appearance in two of his videos!
Fun fact: it's a twist on an old poster celebrating Lincoln's 1860 election!
I sent my poster as a gift to Mayor Mamdani, and it's made a cameo appearance in two of his videos!
January 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM
That'd be my shop, Wide Awakes! wideawakes.army
Fun fact: it's a twist on an old poster celebrating Lincoln's 1860 election!
I sent my poster as a gift to Mayor Mamdani, and it's made a cameo appearance in two of his videos!
Fun fact: it's a twist on an old poster celebrating Lincoln's 1860 election!
I sent my poster as a gift to Mayor Mamdani, and it's made a cameo appearance in two of his videos!
RNZ: "international visitor arrivals in Queenstown climb 40 percent higher than pre-Covid levels", surprised me but data confirms. Nov '19 55k passengers, Nov '25 84k, up 53%.
They don't point out that this means 40%+ greater damage as well.
Unsustainable growth.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
They don't point out that this means 40%+ greater damage as well.
Unsustainable growth.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
January 8, 2026 at 10:55 PM
RNZ: "international visitor arrivals in Queenstown climb 40 percent higher than pre-Covid levels", surprised me but data confirms. Nov '19 55k passengers, Nov '25 84k, up 53%.
They don't point out that this means 40%+ greater damage as well.
Unsustainable growth.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
They don't point out that this means 40%+ greater damage as well.
Unsustainable growth.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
New Zealand too
January 8, 2026 at 6:41 PM
New Zealand too
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
So far 10 countries with data for December available.
Collected vehicle registration data
Frequently updated charts and data for new vehicle registrations across countries.
robbieandrew.github.io
January 6, 2026 at 8:02 AM
So far 10 countries with data for December available.
Auction has started!
www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplac...
www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplac...
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Auction has started!
www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplac...
www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplac...
Global oil emissions are 1.5 tonnes CO2 per person. New Zealand is 3.6 tonnes domestic, 1.3 tonnes international aviation and shipping, total 4.9 tonnes – three times the world average.
The past two years numerous Government decisions have acted to increase oil consumption.
Reverse them all.
The past two years numerous Government decisions have acted to increase oil consumption.
Reverse them all.
January 4, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Global oil emissions are 1.5 tonnes CO2 per person. New Zealand is 3.6 tonnes domestic, 1.3 tonnes international aviation and shipping, total 4.9 tonnes – three times the world average.
The past two years numerous Government decisions have acted to increase oil consumption.
Reverse them all.
The past two years numerous Government decisions have acted to increase oil consumption.
Reverse them all.
Today is a good day for New Zealand to stop using so much oil.
January 3, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Today is a good day for New Zealand to stop using so much oil.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
Very modest, but growing like topsy
bsky.app/profile/robe...
Australia has >4million homes (about 40% of homes) with 23 GW rooftop solar
NZ has 70k solar homes (3.5% of 2m homes) and 440 MW
bsky.app/profile/robe...
Australia has >4million homes (about 40% of homes) with 23 GW rooftop solar
NZ has 70k solar homes (3.5% of 2m homes) and 440 MW
NZ solar power generation up 31% in 2023, 52% in 2024, 61% in 2025. Long may it continue. Still only 1.9% of total power generation to there is plenty of remaining scope.
The 4th quarter of 2025 is likely to come in at the lowest emissions and highest renewable proportion on record.
The 4th quarter of 2025 is likely to come in at the lowest emissions and highest renewable proportion on record.
January 3, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Very modest, but growing like topsy
bsky.app/profile/robe...
Australia has >4million homes (about 40% of homes) with 23 GW rooftop solar
NZ has 70k solar homes (3.5% of 2m homes) and 440 MW
bsky.app/profile/robe...
Australia has >4million homes (about 40% of homes) with 23 GW rooftop solar
NZ has 70k solar homes (3.5% of 2m homes) and 440 MW
Although climate action is in a difficult place in New Zealand just now, there is good news if you go looking. By 2024, per-capita CO2 emissions from fossil fuels were down 31% from the peak in 2005.
January 3, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Although climate action is in a difficult place in New Zealand just now, there is good news if you go looking. By 2024, per-capita CO2 emissions from fossil fuels were down 31% from the peak in 2005.
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
November:
Britain became the world’s largest economy to commit to ending new oil and gas exploration.
A decision shaped by years of public campaigning, and a signal that “no new fossil fuels” is entering the policy mainstream 🥳
Britain became the world’s largest economy to commit to ending new oil and gas exploration.
A decision shaped by years of public campaigning, and a signal that “no new fossil fuels” is entering the policy mainstream 🥳
Britain becomes world’s largest economy to end new oil and gas exploration - Greenpeace UK
Commenting on the government’s North Sea Future Plan, in which it has confirmed that no more licences for new oil and gas will be issued, Greenpeace UK’s co-executive director, Areeba Hamid, said: “B...
www.greenpeace.org.uk
January 1, 2026 at 9:09 AM
November:
Britain became the world’s largest economy to commit to ending new oil and gas exploration.
A decision shaped by years of public campaigning, and a signal that “no new fossil fuels” is entering the policy mainstream 🥳
Britain became the world’s largest economy to commit to ending new oil and gas exploration.
A decision shaped by years of public campaigning, and a signal that “no new fossil fuels” is entering the policy mainstream 🥳
And so 2025 ends with another disappointing month for battery EV sales in New Zealand with just 603 new light BEVs sold. Market share also down, so you can't just blame the economy.
Q3: 1,994 (6.8%) last year; 1,772 (5.0%) this year.
Q4: 2,201 (6.7%) last year; 1,802 (5.2%) this year.
Aust: 9.5%
Q3: 1,994 (6.8%) last year; 1,772 (5.0%) this year.
Q4: 2,201 (6.7%) last year; 1,802 (5.2%) this year.
Aust: 9.5%
December 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
And so 2025 ends with another disappointing month for battery EV sales in New Zealand with just 603 new light BEVs sold. Market share also down, so you can't just blame the economy.
Q3: 1,994 (6.8%) last year; 1,772 (5.0%) this year.
Q4: 2,201 (6.7%) last year; 1,802 (5.2%) this year.
Aust: 9.5%
Q3: 1,994 (6.8%) last year; 1,772 (5.0%) this year.
Q4: 2,201 (6.7%) last year; 1,802 (5.2%) this year.
Aust: 9.5%
A year-end post: I mark the final day of the first Emissions Budget period with a list of the New Zealand Government's bottom 10 climate actions of 2025.
Oh, how hard it was to choose.
blog.planetaryecology.org/2025/12/31/a...
Oh, how hard it was to choose.
blog.planetaryecology.org/2025/12/31/a...
A partial reckoning
By Robert McLachlan Climate action continues in Aotearoa New Zealand As 2025 winds to a close, I am writing from the Rodney district north of Auckland – Rodney being famous as the home of the Rodne…
blog.planetaryecology.org
December 31, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A year-end post: I mark the final day of the first Emissions Budget period with a list of the New Zealand Government's bottom 10 climate actions of 2025.
Oh, how hard it was to choose.
blog.planetaryecology.org/2025/12/31/a...
Oh, how hard it was to choose.
blog.planetaryecology.org/2025/12/31/a...
Reposting this perennial favourite, "Coal Consumption Affecting Climate" from the Rodney & Otamatea Times (New Zealand) of 1912. Andrew Revkin (New York Times) brought it to wide attention in 2016. 🧵
December 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposting this perennial favourite, "Coal Consumption Affecting Climate" from the Rodney & Otamatea Times (New Zealand) of 1912. Andrew Revkin (New York Times) brought it to wide attention in 2016. 🧵
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
The strategic road network is managed by a charity and relies on the goodwill of land owners for access. Some motorways will be muddy and flooded each winter.
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
December 29, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The strategic road network is managed by a charity and relies on the goodwill of land owners for access. Some motorways will be muddy and flooded each winter.
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Also
The strategic road network stops randomly at council boundaries and investment is where councils are willing.
(UK edition).
Reposted by Robert McLachlan
New Zealand has just over 2 million households which makes a theoretical average rooftop capacity of 6.6GW which would generate ~8.5 TWh / year
Assumptions: 55% home roofs suitable for solar, assume 6kW solar system, 3.547 system performance per kW factor
Assumptions: 55% home roofs suitable for solar, assume 6kW solar system, 3.547 system performance per kW factor
December 29, 2025 at 1:15 AM
New Zealand has just over 2 million households which makes a theoretical average rooftop capacity of 6.6GW which would generate ~8.5 TWh / year
Assumptions: 55% home roofs suitable for solar, assume 6kW solar system, 3.547 system performance per kW factor
Assumptions: 55% home roofs suitable for solar, assume 6kW solar system, 3.547 system performance per kW factor
NZ solar power generation up 31% in 2023, 52% in 2024, 61% in 2025. Long may it continue. Still only 1.9% of total power generation to there is plenty of remaining scope.
The 4th quarter of 2025 is likely to come in at the lowest emissions and highest renewable proportion on record.
The 4th quarter of 2025 is likely to come in at the lowest emissions and highest renewable proportion on record.
December 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
NZ solar power generation up 31% in 2023, 52% in 2024, 61% in 2025. Long may it continue. Still only 1.9% of total power generation to there is plenty of remaining scope.
The 4th quarter of 2025 is likely to come in at the lowest emissions and highest renewable proportion on record.
The 4th quarter of 2025 is likely to come in at the lowest emissions and highest renewable proportion on record.
"Backer LanzaTech, founded in Auckland in 2005, relocated to Skokie in 2014... [Trump so] LanzaJet shifted to ethanol from U.S. corn. “Maybe it’s a 10 or 20% improvement rather than a 50 or 60 or 70% improvement,” he says of initial CO2 reductions using corn ethanol."
Skokie, that rings a bell.
Skokie, that rings a bell.
MAGA-to-jet will not end well.
www.inc.com/fast-company...
www.inc.com/fast-company...
How This Sustainable Jet Fuel Company Is Charting a New Route in the Trump Era
LanzaJet aims to power planes without petroleum. Its first plant got caught up in politics—forcing a sudden retooling before it can begin producing sustainable aviation fuel.
www.inc.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:39 PM
"Backer LanzaTech, founded in Auckland in 2005, relocated to Skokie in 2014... [Trump so] LanzaJet shifted to ethanol from U.S. corn. “Maybe it’s a 10 or 20% improvement rather than a 50 or 60 or 70% improvement,” he says of initial CO2 reductions using corn ethanol."
Skokie, that rings a bell.
Skokie, that rings a bell.