Australia under fire as Pacific seeks climate lifeline
Australia is facing renewed calls to phase out fossil fuels as it seeks international support to help Pacific nations fight climate change.
environmental politics
Australia talks up renewables but fuels climate critics
Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen have delivered strong climate messages at COP31 in Turkey but have been criticised for avoiding a fossil fuel phase-out.
Artificial intelligence, nuclear power a costly combo
Powering Australia's growing number of data centres using small nuclear reactors could take decades and cost billions of dollars more than renewable energy.
World leaders urged not to overlook Pacific plight
Climate finance and a move away from fossil fuels have dominated discussions at the opening day of the COP31 leaders' summit.
Building net zero: architects call for housing rethink
A challenge to make Australian homes greener has found smarter design, better materials and renovating rather than rebuilding can dramatically cut emissions.
‘Forests on the moon’: carbon credit reforms under fire
Reforms to Australia's carbon credits have divided an inquiry, with critics warning they will not do enough while others argue they could undermine confidence.
Recycle, reuse or regret: clock ticks on solar waste
Australia needs to act quickly to address the growing number of end-of-life solar panels before a wave of waste hits in the 2030s.
In the dark: solar recycling scheme delayed for months
A single complaint has stalled plans to recycle solar panels at a national level, with the federal government relying on a state government to lead the way.
Hot topic: Aussies lose sleep and work to rising temps
Global warming is affecting Australians' ability to sleep, exercise and work outdoors, costing the economy billions of dollars in lost productivity.
Australia pays biggest bill for global diesel crisis
The worldwide fuel crisis has cost Australia an additional $9 billion for diesel imports over six months – more than any other country.
Greens chief scolds senator for defence on social media
David Shoebridge says taking to social media is 'not the way' to handle allegations and is vowing to let the investigation run without further interference.
Snowy 2.0 exit cost unknown despite price blowout
One of Australia's largest energy projects will need more government funding to reach completion, but the cost of giving up has not been calculated.
Coalition eyes climate, housing money to fund tax cuts
Savings of $31 billion earmarked by the federal opposition would be used to fund the coalition's plan to index income tax brackets.
Diesel shake-up could hit big miners, help small firms
Reforming a controversial diesel credit scheme and forcing large miners to invest in alternatives could reduce Australia's reliance on imported fuel.
‘Worst of both worlds’: sparse support for gas changes
Labor's gas reservation has raised more questions than answers for industry groups pushing for numerous changes to limit overreach and to maintain investment.
Bushfire bill blows out to $6b a year as climate warms
Researchers have put a figure on the growing toll of bushfires in Australia but say better preparation could prevent billions of dollars in losses.
‘No surrender’: UN urges action as 1.5C goal slips away
Global temperatures are on track to rise by 2.8C by the end of the century unless nations make deep emission cuts, including those from coal, oil and gas.
Multimillion-dollar bid to make electric fleets pay up
A fleet of more than 100 electric vehicles will be put to the test over three years to find out if vehicle-to-grid technology can cut costs and make money.
Ill winds: calm weather puts Great Barrier Reef at risk
Australian researchers have identified weather patterns that can raise the risk of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, and winds play a key role.
Greens divided over under-fire senator’s leave claims
The leader of the Greens has hit back at one of his senators, insisting it is appropriate he takes leave while allegations he mistreated women are investigated.
Australia should ‘roll out red carpet’ for data centres
Clear rules and less 'green tape' are needed to ensure tech giants don't abandon Australia and take investments elsewhere, a climate leader warns.
Over-tyred: inquiry calls for a recycling overhaul
Fewer end-of-life tyres would be buried in the ground and more recycled into new roads under changes recommended by a parliamentary inquiry.
Warming seas threaten billion-dollar salmon industry
Climate change could cost Tasmania's salmon industry millions of dollars in revenue and force major changes to farming operations, a report has warned.
Pacific head rebukes Australia’s focus on pre-COP costs
Tuvalu's climate minister says he was "very happy" with pre-COP attendance, but alarmed by new fossil fuel projects being green-lit in Australia.
‘Long memory’: Pacific faces decades of global warming
Cutting all greenhouse gas emissions will not immediately reverse the effects of climate change on the world's largest ocean, a study has found.
Coalition seeks to shield mines from climate activists
Angus Taylor has pledged to tighten protections for coal and gas projects after environmentalists successfully challenged a major coal expansion.
Rain fails to dampen climate mission at pre-COP31 event
The government has defied critics and bad weather to highlight climate threats to Pacific nations but pre-COP31 also turned the spotlight on its commitments.
Coal demand set to plunge as the world goes electric
Increasing global use of electricity is set to be a major focus at the COP31 summit in Turkey, but a report finds progress is falling short.
High Court ruling in coal court case spooks miners
Australian miners are worried investments could dry up after a critical High Court finding on coal mining emissions that could be felt globally.
Besieged nation warns COP31 can’t be climate talkfest
The tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu has hosted presidents and prime ministers to demonstrate the starkest impacts of rising sea levels before major climate talks.
Australia backs energy as it cops heat at climate talks
Australia has pledged millions of dollars to boost renewable energy in the Pacific but faces criticism from other nations over fossil fuel exports.