‘Trying times’: farmers stare down trifecta of troubles
Farmers are being forced to adapt and innovate as drought conditions intensify and global shocks push up costs and risk vital fertiliser supplies.
environmental issue
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
environmental issue
environmental pollution
exports
iron and steel
metal and mineral
mining
renewable energy
report
research
research and development
Competition puts Australia’s green iron edge at risk
Australia's renewable energy and rich iron ore deposits make it a potential leader in green iron and steel but other nations may be closing the gap.
Batteries undercutting gas, keeping lid on power bills
Batteries are now the primary tool for managing evening spikes in electricity demand, a job previously falling to gas and hydro at greater expense.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
investments
renewable energy
road transport
transport
‘Like charging a phone’: $1.5m boost for EV network
More than 400 apartment buildings could get access to electric vehicle chargers as part of a push to remove a speed bump to their adoption.
Export tax push runs out of gas as budget hopes dashed
Furious lobbying for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports is failing to sway the federal government, which is ruling out the measure for the upcoming budget.
Coast clear as response to toxic algal bloom eased
Improved water quality has triggered the scaling back of a state's multi-million-dollar response to a toxic algal bloom but fishing closures remain in place.
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
investments
metal
metal and mineral
renewable energy
research
research and development
Trial could boost Australia’s bid to be battery leader
A multimillion-dollar pilot program will test whether Australia can produce more materials for electric vehicle batteries with less impact on the environment.
‘Elvis of birds’: clue found in hunt for elusive parrot
Researchers are racing against time to find and protect a critically endangered parrot after a decade-long search led to audio of the rare bird's call.
Caveat empty: car buyers beware fuel and range promises
Road tests show most vehicles are using more petrol, diesel or electricity than advertised, with one hybrid SUV using almost 30 per cent more fuel.
alternative energy
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
environmental issue
environmental pollution
exports
renewable energy
research
research and development
After the sun sets: hub to tackle coming e-waste crisis
With millions of solar power systems installed across the country, a national research centre will probe what to do with the panels at the end of their lives.
Global Shift to Green Power Leaves Coal in the Shadows
For the first time in modern history, renewable energy sources have overtaken the world’s growing demand for electricity. Led by a record-breaking year for solar in China and India, clean power now makes up more than one-third of the global electricity mix. For a sun-drenched state like Queensland, this global shift offers a promising blueprint for our own energy future.
AI cameras spotted more than 1000 bushfires over summer
Cameras powered by artificial intelligence are helping Australian agencies identify fires before they can spread, protecting plantations and properties.
Electric vehicle batteries could spark recycling market
An Australian company will create a recycling plant for the batteries used in households and electric cars after a multimillion-dollar investment.
Court denies Aboriginal woman’s ‘on Country’ request
A magistrate has rejected an Aboriginal woman's request for a hearing on culturally significant land, saying the case can be fairly determined without doing so.
auto trends
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
report
research
sales
transport
Aussies want electric cars to save cash, not the planet
Australians are considering electric cars as fuel prices rise, with potential buyers fuelled by the possibility of saving money rather than the environment.
Magnetic attraction to lift Aussie green iron prospects
A process that uses magnets rather than water to extract high-quality iron ore will be tested at an Australian mine to boost the nation's export potential.
Inquiry launched as governments spar over oil project
A state government has launched an inquiry into new environmental laws as it calls for a national interest exemption for an oil exploration project.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy (general)
energy (general)
environmental issue
road transport
sales
transport
High-performance EVs and hatchbacks ready to steal show
After smashing sales records in Australia, electric vehicles are expected to be in high demand at the largest motor show in the southern hemisphere.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economic policy
economy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Electric vehicle fee could throttle record adoption
A road user charge for electric vehicle drivers could stall record-breaking sales, a study has found, with households in outer suburbs the hardest hit.
Cyclone-hammered reefs can take many years to recover
Coral reefs and their fish populations can take many years to recover after being hammered by severe tropical cyclones, researchers say.
auto trends
automotive equipment
breaking_news
consumer goods
diesel fuel
economy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
report
road transport
sales
transport
More records loom as fuel crunch turbocharges EV sales
A record number of Australian motorists are buying electric vehicles in a trend automotive experts say could stick around even if fuel prices fall.
auto trends
consumers
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
road transport
sales
Fuel fears drive more Aussie buyers to electric cars
Fuel shortages and price rises are providing a "tipping point" for electric vehicles in Australia, with one brand selling out of its local stock.
‘They’re everywhere’: fresh rural mouse plague warning
Farmers are being overrun by mice in some rural areas, with scientists warning the rodents could cause havoc for the agricultural sector.
Superb wrens could be canaries in the coalmine
A three-decade study of superb fairy wrens in a botanic garden has led to predictions the common birds could be extinct within 50 years.
Discount loans to rev up Aussie electric vehicle market
A $100 million scheme designed to cut the cost of buying an electric vehicle will launch during a period of record demand.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy
energy (general)
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Electric car race speeds up as fuel crisis drags on
The global fuel crisis could be a turning point for electric vehicle sales in Australia, with one subscription service reporting record adoption.
auto trends
automotive equipment
diesel fuel
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
environmental issue
environmental politics
heavy construction
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Fill ‘er up: electric trucks plug into charging network
Three electric truck charging hubs will be built in one Australian capital city in the first stage of a project designed to power up the transport transition.
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
heavy engineering
oil and gas - downstream activities
politics (general)
pollution
regulatory policy and organisation
road transport
transport
Electric or bust: truck industry demands urgent U-turn
Skyrocketing diesel prices are adding cost and uncertainty to heavy transport and operators are calling for help to change the industry's direction.
Shock at the petrol pump sparks electric vehicle surge
Enquiries about new and second-hand electric cars are setting records as motorists look for ways to avoid the rising price of petrol and diesel.
Wet year brings on-land nature wins but oceans suffer
Australia's environment has enjoyed another above-average year of rainfall, though climate change has been stressing oceans and vulnerable species.
‘Flashing red’: climate imbalance reaches all-time high
Energy in must equal energy out for a stable climate, but the balance is increasingly off kilter with troubling, long-lasting consequences.