Atmosphere

MethaneSAT

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite. The core mission of this unique satellite is to support reductions in methane emissions around the world, primarily by reducing leaks from oil and gas production. NIWA's Dr Sara Mikaloff Fletcher is leading a science programme to develop capability to map agricultural emissions and determine the best places for the satellite to look for methane emissions around the world.

Go to research project

Atmosphere

Research

Explore

Services

Explore

Facilities & measurement

Explore

Link to source page

CarbonWatch NZ

CarbonWatch NZ is an internationally-recognised research programme that will enable New Zealand to make the right decisions for a zero carbon future.

Atmosphere

Greenhouse and trace gases

Climate change
Link to source page

MethaneSAT

Research Project

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite

Atmosphere

Greenhouse and trace gases

Climate change
Link to source page

Community air: Air quality issues in NZ towns

Research Project

Community Air is a family of research studies, community projects and commercial services that empower local communities to engage with, assess and tackle local air quality issues.

Air quality
Link to source page

Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station

Facility

The Baring Head station, which overlooks Cook Strait, has been operating since 1972 and the data collected there makes significant contributions to our global understanding of greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse and trace gases
Link to source page

Lauder Atmospheric Research Station

Facility

NIWA's Atmospheric Research Station at Lauder in Central Otago specialises in measuring CFCs, ozone, UV levels and greenhouse gases and has a wide range of world-class instruments and research scientists.

Greenhouse and trace gases

UV and ozone
Link to source page

Traffic emissions mapping - black carbon and nitrogen dioxide

Research Project

Black carbon, commonly known as soot, is made of microscopic particles generated by incomplete combustion.

Air quality
Link to source page

Total Carbon Column Observing Network

Research Project

NIWA participates in the Total Carbon Column Observing Network, a ground-based observing network dedicated to making precise and accurate measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations in different parts of the atmosphere.

Greenhouse and trace gases
Link to source page

Warm, dry summer ahead sparks SunSmart reminder

Media release

27 November 2024

New Zealanders are likely to spend considerable time outdoors this summer, with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) predicting warm and dry conditions across most of the motu.

Atmosphere
Link to source page

Microbes behind unprecedented surge in methane emissions

Media release

25 November 2024

Microbes - such as those living in wetlands, landfills or the digestive tracts of livestock – are behind unprecedented spikes in methane emissions.

Atmosphere

Climate change
Link to source page

Accurate quantification of methane emissions from waste and agriculture

Research Project

NIWA researchers are testing new methods for quantifying methane emissions from agriculture and waste.

Greenhouse and trace gases
Link to source page

Greenhouse and trace gases

NIWA carries out world-class research that contributes to our understanding of greenhouse gases, including emissions and uptake across cities, forests, farms and oceans.

Greenhouse and trace gases
Link to source page

Atmospheric analysis

NIWA has been using advanced scientific instruments to measure atmospheric trace gases and isotopes for over 50 years.