Renewables, AI rules top productivity reform wishlist
Fifteen areas have been identified for reform by the Productivity Commission, including artificial intelligence, tax reform and cheaper renewable energy.
environmental issue
Carbon offsets set aside following greenwashing lawsuit
EnergyAustralia has pledged to back away from the use of carbon offsets to deal with emissions, in a statement following a legal settlement.
‘Saltwater in my veins’: fight to protect island homes
Tishiko King's love of the ocean is at the heart of a documentary following her fight to protect her Country in the Torres Strait islands.
Thorny nature reforms threaten to entangle new minister
Labor's pledge to deliver a once-in-a-generation overhaul of environmental laws went unfulfilled in its first term, leaving a new minister to finish the job.
‘Missed opportunity’ as sacred sites legislation passes
An authority which safeguards sacred sites has expressed disappointment over the passing of legislation it says it was not properly consulted on.
Residents to pursue class action over ‘toxic tap water’
Cancer-causing "forever chemicals" have likely been present in a tourist hotspot's drinking water for decades, a major investigation has found.
More households want to go full electric but lack spark
Millions more Australian households plan to cut gas and go all-electric but many say they need more information and guidance to do so.
Rainbow Warrior in NZ return, 40 years after bombing
Greenpeace Aotearoa say they will use the return of the Rainbow Warrior to campaign against the New Zealand government's "war on nature".
Parent group challenges energy giant over carbon claims
EnergyAustralia will face the Federal Court to answer allegations some of its "carbon neutral" products were not as green as they seemed.
Strawberry shields forever: bioplastic cuts fruit waste
Unique packaging material created using bacteria and sawdust could reduce disposable plastic and keep strawberries safe during transport.
Parents, energy company settle over greenwashing claims
A settlement has been reached between a parents' climate action group and one of Australia's largest energy companies over greenwashing claims.
Record electric truck haul aims to drive down emissions
One of Australia's biggest transport companies will invest in a record-breaking electric truck fleet, including prime movers to be built in Brisbane.
A glimmer of hope for nuclear dream after election bomb
Voters rejected a plan to build seven nuclear reactors, but some experts say the technology's role in cutting emissions means it can't be ruled out.
Uranium miner backs off challenge to Jabiluka decision
A bid to overturn a decision not to renew the controversial Jabiluka mineral lease looks set to be abandoned as Rio Tinto moves to take over a uranium miner.
Wastewater may solve wee green hydrogen price problem
The cost of renewable hydrogen could be cut substantially if Australian researchers can scale their latest discoveries involving wastewater.
Woodside blocks climate questions as protesters blow up
Oil and gas giant Woodside has evaded questions on climate issues after its shareholder meeting was gatecrashed by whistle-blowing activists.
Renewables influx a cooler change to summer energy mix
More batteries, solar and wind have combined with shrinking coal input to help slash greenhouse gas emissions from Australia's main electricity grid.
Election expected to drive confidence in electric cars
Australia's transition to low-emission vehicles could speed up after the election, experts say, fuelled by ongoing tax cuts and emission limits.
Wombat AI: software deployed to track native animals
Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls, fallow deer and other wild animals are being tracked using artificial intelligence to free up conservationists' time.
Record anti-salmon rally calls for major party sinking
More than 6000 people have rallied in opposition to salmon farming, with speakers including Bob Brown urging voters to ditch Labor and the Liberals.
Drivers could pay more tax after electric car U-turn
Australian drivers and employers could miss out on thousands of dollars in tax savings if the coalition puts the brakes on an electric vehicle policy.
World coral bleaching crisis spreads after hottest year
Harmful bleaching of the world's coral has now grown to include 84 per cent of the ocean's reefs in the most intense event of its kind in recorded history.
Nuclear power could take the shine off Aussie aluminium
Three out of Australia's four aluminium smelters could risk closure if Australia adopts nuclear power, reducing energy supplied to industry.
Sixth mass bleaching event strikes reef since 2016
Climate change-fuelled ocean warming and floods have been bleaching corals in the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Call for workplace change to drive electric car take-up
Fewer than one-in-three electric vehicle drivers can access a charger at work and incentives could get more people to go electric and drive to the office.
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.
‘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.