New Zealand to ban most single-use plastics by 2025
The new measure builds on the country’s 2019 decision to phase-out plastic bags and includes everything from disposable cutlery to ear buds and fruit labels, The Guardian reported.
New Zealand
Major firms sign ambitious deal to cut plastic waste in the Pacific
Called the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, the agreement aims to drastically reduce plastic waste from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific by 2025. Among the signatories are big brands like Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Woolworths.
New Zealand requires financial institutions to prepare climate impact reports
Companies within the financial sector, like banks and insurers, must give a detailed report of climate change impacts on their businesses as well as information on how they handle climate-related risks and opportunities.
New Zealand approves paid leave for miscarriage
The country is expanding upon its public health policies surrounding reproductive rights and has unanimously approved a bill that gives mothers and their partners the right to paid leave following a miscarriage or stillbirth.
New Zealand buys enough COVID vaccine for its Pacific Islander neighbors
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta confirmed NZD $75 million of assistancehad been earmarked to support Pacific and global vaccine access and roll-out.
New Zealand declares climate emergency
The government of New Zealand declared a climate emergency, a symbolic step recognizing IPCC predictions of substantial global warming if emissions do not fall. Alongside the declaration, New Zealand announced it would require its public sector to become carbon neutral by 2025.
New Zealand PM appoints first female indigenous foreign minister
After being re-elected in a landslide victory last month, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to make positive progressive change in the country. Yesterday, she appointed Nanaia Mahuta as the country’s first indigenous female foreign minister.
New Zealand’s progressive champion Jacinda Ardern wins second term as Prime Minister
Ardern’s victory comes after she has won widespread praise and support for her ambitious leadership on the climate crisis and science-based approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand Prime Minister pledges to reach 100% renewable energy across nation by 2030
New Zealand’s Labour party has pledged that—if elected in the upcoming October 17 elections—all energy generation in the country will be 100% renewable by 2030. This ups a previous target of phasing out all non-renewable energy by 2035.
Zero-emission trucks set to make New Zealand a world leader in hydrogen energy
Kiwi company Hiringa and Hyzon Motors—a U.S. manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cells—signed a “heads of agreement” that would allow Hiringa’s hydrogen-powered electric vehicles (HPEVs) to start hauling freight as early as 2022, positioning New Zealand as a world leader in hydrogen vehicle infrastructure.