I have a proposal for Auckland to become a coal-free zone, writes David Hay. Holding climate change to two degrees or less means the world has to stop burning fossil fuels,

Paris is a significant milestone, yes, but it is not the sum total of the world's response. Every day more people are making changes to reduce their impact on the climate, writes Rachael Le Mesurier.

The world is now on the brink of a landmark new climate deal, as the COP21 UN climate talks in Paris near a climax.

Tensions in Paris are rising as countries race to resolve differences and forge an agreement to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

Science reporter Jamie Morton speaks with Canterbury University researcher Dr Daniel Price.

Not every aspect of climate science is completely resolved, and here are five questions that are guaranteed to get the experts going.

The Herald's science reporter, Jamie Morton speaks with science writer and RNZ producer Veronika Meduna.

Herald science reporter Jamie Morton explains the ABCs of the COP21 conference.

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.