Nuclear and renewables at odds over power bill shock
Two forums looking a nuclear power and renewable energy have been told contrasting views about their impact on power prices.
environmental issue
Authorities cop fire over response to ant ‘super pest’
Critics have blasted the federal government for "failing to grasp the urgency" of tackling potentially devastating invasive fire ant incursions.
Australia to test drive a battery electric dual-cab ute
An electric ute prototype from Toyota will be put the test in Australia during the next year but there is no word on when it might be released for sale.
Climate tops agenda at Australia, UK PMs’ first meeting
The prime ministers of Australian and the UK have pledged greater investment in green hydrogen and offshore wind during their first meeting in Samoa.
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
Feeling climate dread? Nature may be the best medicine
While young people experience increasing levels of eco-anxiety, an eminent Australian psychiatrist says working in the environment can be a powerful antidote.
US approves Australian Ioneer’s Nevada lithium mine
The Biden administration has given the nod to an Australian lithium mine in Nevada despite concerns for a rare flower at the site.
Parks Australia hit with $200k fine over sacred site
Gunlom Falls will again welcome visitors after Parks Australia was ordered to pay a $200,000 fine for disturbing a sacred site in Kakadu National Park.
Forget electric and focus on hybrid utes, inquiry hears
Australia is not ready to make a full switch to electric vehicles, an inquiry has heard, as the technology cannot accommodate farmers and tradespeople.
Generators chase peaks as wholesale energy prices spike
Batteries are setting the price in the electricity market more often than a year ago but gas is the dominant price-setter as generators chase lucrative spikes.
Grey area: questions over Sunshine State’s green future
Queensland could revert to coal central as calls grow for a power plan from the energised LNP, days out from voters heading to the polls in the Sunshine State.
Drinking water chemical limits hard to swallow for some
Guidelines for potential cancer-causing chemicals allowed in Australian drinking water have been released, with at least one region failing to meet them.
Autonomous flying taxis prepare for launch in Australia
Would you ride in a plane with no pilot? One aerospace company is betting on it, signing a deal with Australian air safety regulator to establish rules.
Car battery ‘passports’ could help manage growing waste
Australia should adopt a tracking scheme and battery passports like Europe to deal with the growing pile of electric car waste, an inquiry has heard.
Deadly bird flu could lead to mass extinctions
Australia is preparing for a deadly strain of the bird flu which could lead to the extinction of unique species, as authorities brace for its arrival.
‘Climate action pays’: call to rev up clean investment
There can be winners in the clean energy race, a group of super funds says, rolling out a campaign to quell community fears and accelerate development.
Global report charts ‘catastrophic’ wildlife decline
The world's monitored wildlife populations are down 73 per cent, with Australian species and the reef in the crosshairs, a major report warns.
‘Get on with it’: renewables rollout too slow out west
The renewables rollout is not happening quickly enough in WA, a summit has been warned, with leading proponents of clean energy exports calling for targets.
Green ideals meet hip-pocket pain as power prices surge
Young Australians are most likely to pay a premium to access renewable energy at home, a study has found, but high energy prices are turning off others.
Wanted: $100m investment fund seeks green Aussie tech
A multimillion-dollar venture capital fund, backed by 50 companies including Westpac, is looking for clean energy innovations that could go global.
Aggressive dingo growling, barking in latest attack
Rangers are trying to locate an aggressive dingo after a woman was bitten on the leg in the latest attack at a popular Queensland tourist destination.
Time for a check-up: hospitals not yet climate ready
All-electric hospitals could cut emissions by using clean energy under a proposed retrofit that would also keep services on during power cuts and catastrophes.
Hybrids demoted to make way for electric Uber rides
Rideshare giant Uber is making changes to encourage more drivers to adopt electric vehicles, including knocking hybrid cars out of 'green' service.
Australia urged to see how environment, economy connect
Australia is refusing to see connections between the environment and economy, as a summit explores ways to value nature instead of incentivising destruction.
Renewables option as climate change fuels conflict
Australia can take advantage of its geography and become energy independent as the risk of conflict over resources spikes, an ex-military general says.
Coal town to battery base: firm keen to make power move
Renewable energy companies are eyeing opportunities in traditional coal-mining towns as part of Australia's electricity transition.
Environment ministers summoned over bird flu threat
Australia is looking at vaccinations for bird flu as environment ministers are called to a special meeting to discuss the threat to wildlife.
Aussie researchers turn wine into green battery tech
Australian university researchers have won a patent for using food acids to create a major component of battery technology.
Hybrid vehicles in fast lane, as petrol cars slow down
Australians are buying fewer new cars as the economy bites but hybrid vehicles are bucking the trend, sales figures have revealed.
Fire ant eradication refuseniks face sting of the law
Tensions are ramping up between authorities and property owners who are resisting the fire ant eradication program with a lock-the-gates style campaign.
‘Pitiful’ funding for ‘looming catastrophe’ of bird flu
Pressure is mounting on the federal government to pour more money into bird flu preparations, amid warnings Australia's worst ecological disaster is looming.