Aussie researchers create a robot vacuum for oil spills
A prototype is no larger than a shoe but Australian engineers plan to supersize their oil-consuming robot to tackle sea pollution.
environmental issue
More electric trucks, motorbikes to deliver carbon cuts
It boasts Australia's largest fleet of electric vehicles but one company plans to put even more electric trucks and motorcycles on the road to lower emissions.
Car sales slow down but electric vehicles charge ahead
Electric vehicles have broken sales records in Australia even as the larger automotive market stalled, with sales of petrol and hybrid models falling.
Tax cut could help more drivers dodge petrol price hike
More Australians could turn to electric vehicles to avoid rising fuel costs if governments keep tax cuts for their purchase and consider new incentives.
High steaks: dwindling industry threatens food security
Farmers are having to send their livestock up to four hours' drive away to be processed, as limited access to local abattoirs raises food security concerns.
Why the best way around traffic may be flying above it
Australia has been promised a future filled with flying taxis before but the innovative machines may finally be approaching take-off.
How mirroring nature might just save the humble oyster
Oyster reefs are already a restoration priority and Australian research could boost survival rates of the water-filtering, habitat-providing species.
Big trucks and buses drive a heavy healthcare burden
Premature deaths and childhood asthma are among the health risks of allowing high-polluting heavy vehicles to travel on populated routes.
‘Goliath won’: Santos fends off greenwashing lawsuit
The defeat of a climate suit against Santos has disappointed activists but opened the public's eyes to how the resources giant developed its net-zero targets.
Popular car brand earns $24m debt under pollution rules
Some of the most popular car companies in Australia and a selection of luxury brands have failed to meet emissions targets in their first year of operation.
Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear
Australia's biggest electric vehicle incentive is under review and both traditional car makers and the EV industry warns change could lead to a crash.
Pump it up: former PM calls for action on hydropower
Hydropower projects should receive more support and faster approvals if Australia is to meet its renewable energy targets, a group has warned.
‘Watch this space’: Fortescue bullish on climate target
Battery-powered trains are part of Fortescue's plan to eliminate fossil fuels from its Pilbara iron ore operations as it aims to beat a decarbonisation target.
Flood rescue effort to save woman clinging to tree
A woman clinging to a tree in swollen floodwaters in an outback town has been rescued in an hours-long operation.
Discount loans to drive down the price of electric cars
Finance on electric vehicles from two big brands will be subsidised by the government under a plan to cut the cost of low-emission cars.
Carbon credits seeding next chapter of Tiwi forestry
Tiwi Islanders are confident they've landed on the right forestry formula, one that's community-led and financially and environmentally sustainable.
Petrol, diesel cars slow while hybrids, EVs speed up
Australians are buying fewer cars that use fossil fuels alone as they shift allegiance to low-emission hybrid and electric models.
From inconvenience to crisis, islands battle king tides
Low-lying islands in the Torres Strait have been inundated after another frightening king tide season as locals continue the legal fight for climate justice.
Rural water supplies struggling to cope after heatwave
Locals in one rural town are lining up in a pub car park to receive free bottled water, as parts of country Australia get a reprieve from an intense heatwave.
No seats, no dramas: $30m boost for self-driving cars
A Melbourne company creating vehicles with no seats, no doors and no steering wheel has secured an investment to boost its manufacturing.
Households could get paid under plan to price pollution
Australia could raise $35 billion a year by putting a price on pollution and help households and businesses by sharing the revenue, a report has found.
Fire, floods and fur: keeping pets safe in a disaster
Pet owners are being urged to plan ahead for weather extremes to avoid putting themselves, their furry friends and emergency services in danger.
Savings coming for households able to use energy in day
Australia is pressing ahead with its three-hour timeslot of free electricity as critics warn the design could disadvantage some customers.
High alert as cyclone, heatwaves, fires loom large
Extreme weather is threatening to derail the long weekend, already disrupting holiday plans and major sports events.
Family launches GoFundMe to bring teen’s body home
Tensions are mounting over how to manage a World Heritage island's tourist numbers and dingo population after a teenager's death.
Dad says teen wouldn’t want to see dingoes culled
The father of the woman killed by dingoes on K'gari said the teenager loved animals and would have been against a government cull.
Stacking solar cells could deliver cheaper power
A material touted as a candidate for next-generation solar technology is showing more promise, with Australian scientists behind its success.
Hybrid and electric vehicles rev up second-hand market
Australians are buying more used hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars, although sales across all states and territories are slowing down.
Third hottest year notched as fires, floods hit at home
The world clocked its third hottest year on record in 2025 and is on track to surpass the 1.5C Paris Agreement threshold by the end of the decade.
Bushfires spark inquiry call as funding debate rages
Underfunding has been blamed for the scale of losses from ferocious bushfires but state authorities insist conditions made containment impossible.
Alarm bells as Murray declared critically endangered
Listing the beleaguered Murray River as critically endangered must be backed with action if it is to be saved, environmentalists say.