Cardboard stove beats NZ invention to prize

A green invention by a New Zealand company has been beaten by a solar-powered cardboard stove in a global climate-change challenge.

Marlborough company Carbonscape was one of five companies shortlisted by London newspaper the Financial Times to find the ultimate climate-change company, The Press reported.

Carbonscape developed a microwave that converted waste material into charcoal.

The company's director, former Christchurch mayor Vicki Buck, said the exposure from being shortlisted was worth more than the US$75,000 ($135,000) prize money.

The cardboard stove, created by a Kenyan company, took out the prize.

- NZPA