Two international reports have slated New Zealand's climate change efforts as UN negotiations in Paris ramp up in their final week.

COMMENT: She doesn't have Tim Groser's intellectual subtlety and flair but Paula Bennett does have a strong opportunistic streak, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

There's growing optimism in Paris over reaching a landmark agreement to spare future generations the worst impacts of climate change.

John Key has responded to more than 35,000 climate action marchers by smugly claiming that because 80 per cent of our electricity comes from renewable sources, we're respectable.

Tuvalu has issued a stern warning to its Pacific Island neighbours, urging countries not to do deals outside of the like-minded group at major climate talks in Paris.

Australia would support a UN review of restricting global warming to 1.5C, despite holding firm on a less ambitious goal.

As the Prime Minister said, "It makes no sense to be calling for emissions restrictions on one hand while subsidising emissions on the other."

Jamie talks to Paul Young of youth advocacy group Generation Zero about what climate change means for our young people.

New Zealand has picked up the embarrassing honour of being named the most regressive country at the Paris climate change talks, writes Sam Judd.

"I write this from my inner city Parisian hostel, nose still stinging from tear gas, sirens drowning out the background traffic noise."

Kiribati believes Australia is struggling with its position on climate change, preventing the nation from going into bat for its Pacific neighbours at major climate talks in Paris.

Mr Hughes cited Climate Action Network which said National had increased subsides to the oil, coal, and gas industries sevenfold since it was elected in 2008.

With the UN climate talks now underway in Paris, the Herald's science reporter Jamie Morton is talking to a range of experts on climate-related issues.

Jamie Morton talks to Professor Ralph Sims about how New Zealand might slash emissions in its energy and transport sectors.

Climate change rallies over the weekend throughout the country called for urgent action from a UN Climate Summit in Paris.

Jamie Morton talks to Professor Tim Naish about the major part the frozen continent has in the picture of climate change.

Green MP Julie Anne: "The march was incredible. Tens of thousands of people filling the streets of London, calling for a meaningful deal out of Paris. It's now up to the politicians to listen to those people and do the right thing over the next two weeks. This could be a watershed moment in the fight against dangerous climate change." Supplied: Green Party

An estimated 2000 to 3000 people turned out to show their concern about climate change in a Dunedin march this afternoon. Source: ODT

In an effort to lower carbon emissions in New Zealand, Westpac has publicly revealed the amount of lending committed to fossil fuel and environmentally friendly companies.

Ahead of the UN climate change conference in Paris, the Herald's science reporter Jamie Morton is talking to a range of experts on climate-related issues.

The silliest thing about the potential end of our world is it's so boring, people don't care. Who'd have thunk it?

That's it: I am no longer faithful and true to the Queen's heirs and successors, writes Rodney Hide.

Showery spring weather did not dampen the spirits of thousands of New Zealanders who took to the streets this weekend to demand stronger government action on climate change.

Ahead of the 2015 UN climate change conference in Paris, the Herald's science reporter Jamie Morton talks to the author of a new book about climate change

People's Climate rally in Hastings