New Zealand announces its biggest emissions reduction project in history

Move to power Glenbrook steel plant with electricity from renewables rather than coal will reduce emissions by 1% - or the equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the road

New Zealand has announced its largest emissions reduction project in history, transitioning from coal to renewable electricity at the country's major steel plant in a move that the government says is equivalent to taking 300,000 cars off the road.

The government will spend $140m on halving the coal used at Glenbrook steel plant to recycle scrap steel, replacing that generating power with an electric-powered furnace. The plant will contribute $160m to the project's cost.