Complex puzzle: concessions needed for climate target
Steps to boost renewables might have an impact on local environments, experts say, but a trade-off is needed in efforts to slash emissions.
Environmental Issue
Time to get hands dirty in fight to protect farms, land
Farmers and the community need to trust one another and work together to tackle challenges facing the land - and outdated laws need to catch up, an expert says.
‘Bring it home’: PM’s diplomatic fight for climate meet
Anthony Albanese will use a visit to the UN to make the case for a rival country to drop its bid to host a major climate summit in order for Australia to host.
Climate hearing heats up over ‘explosive’ target detail
As the government prepares to release its 2035 emissions-reduction goal, officials have given more information about how Labor has decided on the figure.
Beloved fairywrens take slow flight towards extinction
Scientists say a common garden bird species is vulnerable to sudden drops in temperature during more frequent extreme weather events and may become extinct.
Climate, China concern bookend Pacific leaders meeting
A major Pacific leaders conference has wrapped up, with Australia warned about its stance on major coal and gas projects and "silencing" of Pacific voices.
Deadly and costly: the climate threats Australians face
As many as 1.5 million Australians will be at high risk from the damaging affects of climate change, a confronting government outlook shows.
‘Confronting’ climate risk report goes under microscope
The prime minister describes a climate risk report as a wake-up call, as one coalition frontbencher threatens to quit or be dumped over greenhouse gas targets.
Plan to protect threatened species in energy transition
Most at-risk native species live close together, making their habitats easy to identify and avoid when building clean energy infrastructure, researchers say.
Pacific unity stressed at keystone regional summit
The host nation of major regional talks has urged fellow Pacific nations not to be "passive bystanders" to intensifying competition among powerful interests.
People prioritised as wildlife-killing shark nets stay
Only about 10 per cent of animals caught up in the nation's largest shark net program were targeted species, a report reveals following a fatal attack.
Gas call takes shine off Australia’s Pacific blitz
Australia's fossil fuel exports remain a source of tension as Pacific leaders double down on supporting a bid to co-host global climate talks.
Pricey bills to carry clear alerts for cheaper plans
Households and small businesses will be warned if they are paying more than necessary under a reform designed to encourage more people switch plans.
Former Greens leader reveals new role after politics
Adam Bandt will play no further role in the party he led for five years, as he takes on a role with one of Australia's biggest environment groups.
Company accelerates electric truck parcel deliveries
Quiet and clean, if costly: an Australian delivery business says more companies should adopt electric trucks ahead of World EV Day.
Massive koala park plan to give logging the chop
A huge proposed national park to protect koalas has been hailed by conservationists, but the logging industry says jobs will be decimated.
Beloved shark attack victim mourned as net trial paused
Tributes are flowing for a surfer mauled to death in a rare city shark attack as a net-free beach trial is put on hold until the incident in fully investigated.
Climate finance crunch time at Pacific leader talks
The existential threat of climate change and ever-intensifying regional rivalries will loom large over Pacific leader talks in Honiara.
Nature delivers $510b bounty but needs more resources
Australia's environment is delivering much more than the government invests in it and contributes 20 per cent of the nation's economic output, a report finds.
Wind farm fans ‘death row’ fears for endangered species
Strict conditions imposed by the federal government will do little to protect the environment surrounding a controversial wind farm project, green groups warn.
‘Law on our side’: parents push for bold climate target
Historic legal advice from the World Court has informed a Parents for Climate pursuit of science-based emissions cuts.
Australia risks losing green iron race after head start
Australia may be left stranded on the blocks in the race to lead the globe in green iron projects, with its main rivals coming from some unexpected nations.
‘Bizarre’ push to drop net zero sets up coalition clash
An effort to repeal the net zero emissions target has highlighted internal opposition divisions over climate change as Labor is urged to do more.
‘Broken’ nature laws fast-tracked but details up in air
Tougher nature protections are promised as the government tries to steer long-stalled law reforms into the fast lane, but it's not clear how they will pass.
Custodian ‘sick of waiting’ on heritage decision
A Traditional Owner who launched a legal bid to safeguard rock art on her Country says there'll be nothing left to protect if action is not taken swiftly.
Grid reliability gaps covered, if no project delays
Australia's investment pipeline for clean energy, storage and transmission to replace coal is "healthy", but project delays pose reliability questions.
Call to screw the cap on $11 billion diesel subsidy
More mining giants may clean up their operations if the government capped generous credits on diesel fuel and incentivised green projects, a report finds.
Cover-up claims over ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water
More types of so-called "forever chemicals" have been detected in drinking water as scientists grapple with finding and removing them from the environment.
‘Don’t slam brakes on EVs’: sparks fly over fee push
The federal treasurer is being urged to adopt user charges for electric cars to help pay for road maintenance and the roll out of charging infrastructure .
Bright idea for businesses to power household bill cuts
Solar panels installed on commercial and industrial buildings could deliver savings to nearby residents in a trial proposed by a major energy firm.
Climate ratings could spare buyers from risky homes
Star ratings for resilience and winding back electric car incentives have been flagged by the Productivity Commission in its pursuit of climate cost savings.