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.
environmental politics
‘Absolute dream’: candidate’s hope for sex abuse reform
As politicians prepare for a hotly contested federal by-election, an independent reveals her hope for big reforms to protect child sexual abuse survivors.
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.
Green groups slam ministerial exemption for Alcoa mine
Conservationists are outraged that a minister has used national interest provisions to continue strip-mining a forest ecosystem.
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.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.
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.
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.
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.
Bushfire evacuee slams ‘selling the future for money’
An activist arrested while blocking a major port has slammed the "unbelievably irresponsible" federal government after fighting to save her home from fires.
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.
National recycling pilot to stop solar energy eclipse
A national trial will recycle solar panels at the end of their working lives to extract valuable metals and boost Australia's circular economy.
Charges and changes: electric car shifts coming in 2026
Twists and turns are coming to Australia's electric car market, from a potential road-user charge and tax reform to the price of models launching on our shores.
Nukes and carbon capture remain off future energy plan
Wind and solar systems are projected to be the cheapest energy-generating technology in 2050 while small nuclear reactors will cost the most.
Mine site emissions new battlefield in coal climate war
Coalminers and environmentalists are clashing over a climate report on the sector finding net-zero emissions targets are unlikely to be hit at the current pace.
Koala ‘misinformation’ cry as population counts soar
Fresh data reveals Australia's koala count could be much higher than previously thought, as a contentious park to protect the species is called into question.
Aussies’ latest car choices are driving down pollution
The growing popularity of hybrid and electric cars is helping to reduce Australia's transport emissions but big, old cars are slowing progress.
Thirsty AI technology could strain Aussie water supply
Data centres supporting artificial intelligence technology could use as much as 20 per cent of the water supply in some cities unless policies change.
Energy costs force most renters to swelter over summer
Most Australians who rent their home say they avoid using cooling and heating appliances due to high costs.
Environment reforms to pass after Labor-Greens deal
The first major changes in decades to Australia's long-criticised environment laws aim to better protect natural sites and speed up project approvals.
‘It’s disastrous’: state scathing of nature reforms
A ground-breaking overhaul of Australia's environment laws has been labelled a disaster that could devastate economic growth.
Grins as environment laws pass in ‘win for the country’
An overhaul of environmental laws has cleared parliament, with the prime minister toasting the reforms despite the coalition branding them "economy wrecking".
Brumby’s days numbered after shift in alpine regions
Opinions are split over the removal of special protections for wild horses living in the Australian Alps, which some say threatens the identity of the region.
Dirty deal the death knell for forestry industry: Ley
New environment laws have sparked grave warnings for the Tasmanian forestry sector, but the government says a $300 million support package will safeguard jobs.
Ships turned, arrests made at annual climate protest
Rising Tide's attempts to blockade the world's largest coal port are continuing, with activists scaling a ship and more arrest made at the Newcastle Harbour.
Arrests top 150 as three-day climate action makes waves
A long weekend climate "protestival" has disrupted coal shipping and landed scores of activists under arrest but smaller protests continue.
Pope pleads for climate action to save God’s creation
Pope Leo XIV is urging countries at United Nations climate talks to take "concrete actions" to stop climate change that is threatening the planet
Early COP30 climate deal eludes Brazil but Lula upbeat
The COP30 talks are split on whether countries will agree to develop a "roadmap" setting out how the world will transition away from fossil fuels.
‘Can’t have it all’: Australia abandons climate summit
Australia will not host the UN's annual climate summit in 2026, instead yielding to a rival bid from Turkey in a last-minute compromise deal.
Federal environment laws ‘won’t fix’ project backlog
As Labor tries to pass an overhaul of Australia's environmental laws before Christmas, analysis suggests they might not address a backlog of energy projects.