Aussie drivers need more electric utes, more incentives
Electric vehicles will not be adopted at rates necessary to reach emissions targets, an inquiry has heard, without tax and financial incentives.
environmental politics
Farming fuels NSW land clearing crisis: data
NSW cleared an area more than 160 times the size of Sydney's CBD in a single year, new government figures show.
Federal minister’s lack of control on logging ‘absurd’
Federal independents are mounting a renewed push to get the environment minister to deal with state-based logging threats to endangered species.
Fears skate extinction will damage Tasmania’s image
Tasmanian businesses have formed a new group to campaign for the salvation of an ancient fish, fearing its demise could cost them dearly.
Nation failing to pull species back from brink: report
A new report card has given Australia an F, for fail, for its efforts to bring the nation's endangered plants and animals back from the brink.
Heavy electric vehicles face roadblocks in Australia
Electric trucks could cut emissions significantly, an inquiry has heard, but inconsistent regulations were making it hard for businesses to invest.
Twenty species added to extinction risk list
Another 20 species have been added to Australia's endangered list including imperilled plants and animals.
Surprise state shines brightest in solar energy ranking
Victoria may have better coffee, NSW a more iconic bridge, but Queensland is winning the race for solar energy in a report card from the Climate Council.
PM criticised for walking back from environment pledge
Environment groups are dismayed after the prime minister indicated he was open to stripping decision-making powers from Australia's new watchdog for nature.
Landowners lock the gate on mandatory fire ant baiting
A national program designed to stop the march of a deadly and destructive super pest is facing rising community resistance to mandatory baiting.
‘Fanciful’ to tie power bill cap to coal-plant deal
The idea that a deal to keep open Australia's largest coal power station until 2027 could include a power price guarantee to help consumers has been dismissed.
‘Save our home’: coal mines could cost koala habitat
More than 20 new coal projects in two states would have a devastating impact on the habitat of endangered koalas, climate and conservation groups warn.
Queensland renters locked out of solar savings
In the lead-up to the Queensland state election, Solar Citizens wants the major parties to make big commitments to renewable energy.
Farmers take fight against renewables to their premier
Angry farmers and their families have protested at an event attended by the Victorian premier amid rising tensions over planned energy infrastructure projects.
Thousands of fire ant nests infest Qld properties
Fire ants are having a field day in Queensland, with reports of thousands of nests on some properties. Questions are now being asked about suppression efforts.
Anger over handling of major reef health report
The latest government cash splash for the Great Barrier Reef failed to mention a major report about its "very poor" prospects was about to drop.
More cash to recycle soft plastic after REDcycle fiasco
More than 43,000 tonnes of hard to recycle plastics will be diverted from Victorian dumps each year under a $15.6 million investment program.
Two regional cities may unlock Aussie renewable future
The Queensland cities of Townsville and Gladstone have been singled out as key to Australia's future in clean exports at a renewable energy event.
New climate projections drill down to suburban level
NSW and ACT residents can now zoom in on sophisticated new projections that show how climate change will affect their own backyards.
NSW did nothing in a year to help most at-risk species
A government audit has delivered a scathing assessment of the NSW environment department's efforts to save more than 1000 species from extinction.
Ocean health ‘at tipping point’ as climate threat grows
As climate change threatens the health of Australia's oceans, the government is developing a plan that will attempt to bolster the biome's sustainability.
Australia risks missing $250b green iron opportunity
Urgent reforms are being called for to allow Australia to become a world leader in the production and export of iron produced with renewable energy.
It’s a girl! Milestone in fight to save ancient fish
Scientists are celebrating the arrival of a bouncing baby girl, as they race to save an ancient species from the jaws of extinction.
‘They’re failing my people’: calls for climate trigger
A climate trigger is urgently needed to stop gas and mining projects destroying Australia's environment, activists and Indigenous people say.
Homes of endangered greater gliders face logging threat
A conservation group is urging the Queensland government to protect land with greater glider habitat after logging near a site where the species has been seen.
A bird? Plane? It’s an autonomous electric flying taxi
Catching a ride to a faraway place could involve a small aircraft with no pilot in future, experts say, as regulations race to catch up with the technology.
Timber industry battles shift to man-made power poles
The timber industry has stepped up its fight against the phase out of wooden power poles in NSW - a move designed to make the network more fire resilient.
Scientists despair as farmers clear nature hot spot
Scientists say one of Australia's most valuable biodiversity hot spots is in danger of death by a thousand cuts as pastoralists clear the landscape unchecked.
Hit the brakes: taxes could slow hybrid vehicle sales
Cuts to transport emissions could slow down next year unless the government extends its tax cuts for plug-in hybrid cars, an inquiry has been told.
Why the next ride you share could be in an electric car
Another 500 electric vehicles will be made available for rideshare drivers as part of a $20 million investment in the industry.
Industry calls for $3b fund to clean dirty big trucks
A big investment will be needed to put more heavy-duty electric trucks on the road, an industry group says, as well as changes to support cleaner fuel.