Why electric cars are almost cheaper than petrol peers
The falling price of some electric cars is making more Australian motorists move but potential savings come from more than the price tag, experts say.
Environmental Issue
Nature the big loser as scientists face suppression
Government suppression of good science is hampering the fight to address the biodiversity crisis gripping the planet, an Australian expert says.
Space age road tankers to lighten the load on emissions
A first-of-its-kind road train with tanks made from aerospace material will launch in north Queensland in a move its makers say could cut emissions.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy resources
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
natural gas
politics
Federal backing for Rio Tinto refinery hydrogen pilot
A refinery in Gladstone will get a federal grant for a renewable hydrogen project that is key to the decarbonisation of Queensland's industrial heartland.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy resources
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
natural gas
politics
Alumina refinery trial swapping gas power for hydrogen
The federal government is contributing $32 million to a trial project swapping gas for hydrogen to power the emissions-intensive alumina refining process.
Tesla chair urges Australia to spark more tech startups
The Australian chair of an electric vehicle giant says the nation must drive tech startups and renewable energy or risk being left behind.
Aussie lake among world’s worst for plastic pollution
A new international study has found some freshwater lakes are more affected by microplastics than the ocean, with one in Australia among the most polluted.
Fears fire ants on march as eradication funding stalls
Australia's agriculture ministers won't say how much more they'll spend on fighting highly invasive fire ants despite accepting the need for serious action.
Drones a threat to critically endangered Aussie bird
Australia's largest shorebird is being pushed further towards the brink of extinction by people using drones, a study suggests.
Murray crays and fish head home after flood rescues
More than 1500 crayfish and hundreds of native fish are back home after they were rescued from the Murray River flood and sent on unscheduled holidays.
Cross-cultural map is as functional as it is beautiful
In the Northern Territory desert, traditional knowledge and art are meeting Western science in a double-pronged approach to biodiversity conservation.
Speedy electric car adoption drives charging challenge
Australian drivers are adopting electric vehicles faster than expected but, while cutting pollution, the trend is driving challenges for public charging.
Sick, skinny snakes loaded with forever chemicals
Wild tiger snakes in Perth appear to be suffering the effects of exposure to long-lived, toxic PFAS chemicals.
Government finance agencies sued over climate reporting
An environment group is suing two government finance agencies, arguing they must tell taxpayers about climate and other harms caused by projects they funded.
Electric vehicle demand revs up as companies eye future
One in every two Australian businesses is likely to start electrifying vehicle fleets in the next two years and some are already stocking up on the cars.
Mining company gets ‘slap on the wrist’ for water theft
The resources regulator has determined a mining giant unlawfully took water at a time of extreme drought in rural NSW but has declined to prosecute.
Tasmania trashed as ‘Australia’s most secretive state’
Tasmania has the highest rate of freedom of information refusals in the nation and average review request wait times have tripled in five years, analysis shows.
Court backs green light on Narrabri coal mine expansion
Climate activists say a court's decision to dismiss their bid to stop Whitehaven's Narrabri coal mine expansion was "out of step with community expectations".
Nation put on high alert as El Nino warnings heat up
More extreme weather is forecast as Australians braces for warmer, drier conditions this summer after heavy rain and record floods.
Grant funds clear runway for pollution-busting biofuels
Reducing emissions from flights is the aim of $30 million in grant funding with a recent report calling sustainable fuel the "only viable near-term option".
Push on to lure city dwellers to jobs, life in the bush
Industries desperate for workers in regional Australia are talking up the benefits of country life as a campaign promotes the switch.
Hundreds of electric car discounts nabbed in final race
A rush to beat the end of electric vehicle subsidies is on in Victoria while hundreds of subsidies remain available in other states.
Australian efforts to clean air travel get $30m boost
Australian projects to cut emissions from air travel will get a $30 million boost and support from a new industry body.
Why brands are driving down the price of electric cars
Australia is expected to see the cheapest electric vehicle launch into the market within days in a move experts say could ignite greater competition.
Councils to plug into $100m energy efficiency fund
A $100 million fund will be set aside for the nation's local councils in a bid to make key community facilities more energy efficient.
New tech to help electric vehicles soak up the sunshine
Next-generation technology could help electric car owners work out the best times to refuel their vehicles using energy from wind, sun and water sources.
More rideshare drivers to go electric after $20m grant
Another 500 electric vehicles will be offered on subscription to rideshare drivers in Australia as part of an investment in replacing petrol cars.
Tiny trackers give up gliders’ secrets after bushfires
Ecologists have made death-defying tree climbs to catch greater gliders and fit them with trackers to understand how bushfires affect the endangered species.
Eco group wants shareholders to prod Toyota on electric
Shareholders could force Australia's most popular car brand to reveal details about its lobbying and speed up electric car development under new proposals.
Packaging industry hit with waste-busting rules
Waste rules will be imposed on the packaging industry after the dismal failure of voluntary targets aimed at slashing landfill.
Farmers nervous about a return to dry times
Farmers are preparing for drought with predictions Australia is likely headed for a return to drier and hotter conditions, with an El Nino on the cards.