Treasury papers released today show the Government did not follow a call from its financial advisers for it to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions target 15 percent above 1990 levels.

Painting the world's roofs and roads white would be the equivalent of taking all the cars off the road for 11 years, scientists say.

The Government has afforded itself ample wriggle room in international negotiations on carbon-dioxide emissions.

The Government has set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of between 10 per cent and 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

Government has announced that New Zealand's new target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions will be a reduction of between 10 per cent and 20 per cent by 2020.

Scientist Sir David King says carbon dioxide emissions need to be halved by the middle of the century.

Federated Farmers says agitation about dirty dairying has led farmers to import foreign concepts such as feed sheds.

Prime Minister John Key now says he is prepared to have a chat to actor Keisha Castle-Hughes over her stance on climate change.

John Key has told Whale Rider star Keisha Castle-Hughes to 'stick to the acting' over her stance on climate change.