Some hybrid cars thirstier than their petrol peers
On-road vehicle tests show some hybrid vehicles are not saving as much petrol as lab tests promise and a two use more than standard cars on highways.
environmental issue
‘No more bills’: why batteries may change energy market
Helping more households capture solar power in a battery could have a market-wide impact, although some could miss out on the biggest savings.
Axe falls on loggers’ plan to avoid battle over gliders
The High Court permitting individuals and groups to prosecute state loggers is a win in the eyes of advocates but they'd rather it wasn't left to citizens.
Electric cars to rev up the energy grid, one at a time
Technology that will let drivers use their electric vehicles as giant household batteries is launching in Australia, although its reach is limited.
Good dog, bad dog: beloved pets ruff on the environment
Research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
‘Underwater bushfire’ devastating reefs yet to let up
Some corals have been found to skip bleaching to go to instantaneous mortality after being hit with particularly extreme heat stress.
Plumes of flying sand to save iconic beaches
Efforts are under way to revitalise the glitter strip's beaches after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred's monster waves eroded the golden sand on the famous coastline.
Thirsty nuclear plants ‘could suck water from farmers’
Farmers and businesses may be forced to surrender gigalitres of water to fuel proposed nuclear power stations due to their inland locations, a report claims.
Reality check for reviving dead and dying coral reefs
Expensive and up against climate change, experts say restoration is a drop in the ocean when it comes to protecting coral reefs.
Car sales accelerate, with hybrids leading the charge
More drivers are getting behind the wheel of a new car but preferences are changing, with hybrids speeding up and petrol cars slowing down.
Marine climate projects might do more harm than good
Potential environmental damage from a growing number of marine climate projects should be scrutinised more carefully before approval, a study says.
Beaches much cleaner as litterbugs get the message
Australian beaches and shorelines are littered with less plastic debris in a sign waste reduction messaging has been cutting through.
Eat the problem: sea urchin pest-to-plate funding urged
Harvesting sea urchins from ocean beds they are grazing to oblivion has been hailed as a success yet more needs to be done to keep populations in check.
Will Tesla’s problems crash Australia’s electric dream?
The brand that has long led Australia's electric vehicle charge is falling out of favour. Can the nation's move to low-emission transport go on regardless?
Greens flag new condition in event of a hung parliament
A minority party will push for one per cent of the federal budget to be spent on "restoring" nature if the election produces a hung parliament.
U-turn on gas-guzzler fines could penalise motorists
Carmakers who fail to meet environmental standards will not be penalised under proposed changes expected during the election campaign.
Hitting the brakes: hybrid sales clouded by tax cut end
A tax concession for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles has come to the end of the road and experts say it could affect future car sales and emissions.
Libs home in on small business for power bill election
Australians are being asked to trust the coalition to reduce energy bills and supercharge business as the opposition leader attacks Labor over a broken promise.
Call for household battery help to plug energy concerns
Cutting the price of solar batteries would lower household bills while easing pressure on the energy network, say groups pushing for a national scheme.
‘Arrogance’: Indigenous ire at sacred sites amendments
Amendments to sacred site legislation have attracted the ire of traditional owners, who have expressed frustration and alarm with the 'fast-tracked' process.
App to reveal how much farmers can reap from renewables
Work will be fast-tracked on software that can assess how much landowners could earn from installing renewable energy projects on their properties.
Cryo-born corals thrive on reef in win for restoration
Millions of corals born from frozen sperm could one day be deployed on reefs to help them recover from climate change-induced heat events.
Echidna digs in to help island wildlife back from blaze
Rangers are over the moon after an echidna was spotted on an island where wildlife was mostly destroyed by a devastating bushfire more than a decade ago.
Environment in better shape overall but threats linger
Australia's environment experienced above-average conditions in 2024 yet temperature extremes and more threatened species suggest there's more to the story.
RSPCA pulls approval for salmon farm after mass deaths
A salmon farm where workers were filmed sealing live fish in boxes has had its RSPCA tick of approval removed following an investigation.
Climate fight here and now, and linked to living costs
Fighting misinformation and communicating the link between cost of living and back-to-back weather disasters are key priorities for climate advocates.
Move to enshrine eco approval smells fishy, critics say
The federal government has been accused of selling out the environment and undermining democratic rights after pushing controversial laws through parliament.
Tesla Cybertruck named the hero of motor show comeback
It is large, futuristic and not ready to drive on Australian roads but Tesla's Cybertruck will be the centrepiece of the first Melbourne motor show in 15 years.
Indigenous groups cautiously optimistic about budget
Indigenous peak organisations have welcomed spending on early childhood care, mental health and domestic violence but are disappointed in some budget omissions.
Days of fish kills expected after ex-tropical cyclone
Large numbers of fish have been washing up on a beach dead or dying in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, habitat advocates say.
Reports of ‘rafting’ fire ants prompt border crackdown
A temporary ban has been put in place for some products in an attempt to stop "super pest" fire ants from hitching a ride over state lines.