Trump, trade worries cloud COP29 climate summit
Nations are preparing for tough talks on finance and trade as the annual UN climate summit kicked off in Azerbaijan.
environmental politics
Pay up or face climate disaster, UN chief warns summit
Nations must "pay up" to prevent climate-led humanitarian disasters or humanity will pay the price, UN chief Antonio Guterres has told the COP29 climate summit.
Qld regions remain in the dark about nuclear power plan
A federal inquiry has heard strong support for a nuclear industry in regional Queensland even though local councillors say they were not consulted.
Fire ants escape Queensland hidden in ‘treated turf’
Turf ticked off as being treated for fire ants has proven to be a Trojan horse for one of the worst invasive species to reach Australian shores.
Regions speak out over carrying ‘forced’ energy burden
Australians in regional towns worry they will be forced to accept nuclear power plants even if they object to them, an inquiry has heard.
Electric cars could keep lights on in Australian homes
The batteries inside electric cars could be used to power households in Australia before the end of the year after the release of technological standards.
Nuclear waste could add billions to energy supply costs
The time needed to build nuclear reactors and the cost of safely storing radioactive waste remain big questions for Australia, an inquiry has been told.
Australia needs to ‘step up’ critical minerals supply
Australian firms need to sharpen their focus on critical minerals to power the world's green energy transition, an international relations conference has heard.
Mental health taking a hit as climate crisis worsens
Poor health outcomes are being attributed to extreme heat events, rapid rain bursts and worsening fire season as part of a growing climate crisis.
Made or assembled in Australia? Solar policy under fire
Questions have emerged over whether solar panels will be manufactured or merely assembled in Australia at a senate hearing into energy agencies.
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.
Commonwealth nations make first ocean declaration
Commonwealth countries have adopted the first ocean declaration during a summit held in the Pacific island nation of Samoa.
PM defends energy transition after Pacific criticisms
Pacific leaders and King Charles have called for greater action on climate change as the region hosts its first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
‘Delay-mongers’: climate boss lashes nuclear supporters
Nuclear proponents are simply delaying the move towards clean and cheap energy as Australia's environment runs out of time, a climate leader says.
No nukes till late 2030s: energy switch may take years
Establishing nuclear power plants in Australia may take more than a decade, an inquiry has heard, and dealing with radioactive waste might be longer.
Who let the dogs in? US airline in biosecurity breach
A US-based airline could have jeopardised Australia's rabies-free status with the unchecked arrival of dogs aboard flights to Brisbane and Sydney.
Election hopefuls urged to tackle severe weather threat
Governments should stem the decline in emergency service volunteers as climate change threatens more and increasingly severe natural disasters, a report 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.
‘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.
Tight gas market to remain as additional wells approved
Two offshore drilling licences have been approved to bring more gas to the domestic east coast market as experts warn of potential shortfalls next winter.
Panel ponders end of native forest logging in NSW
An end to native forest logging in NSW is among five options being put to stakeholders, with conservationists saying the move is a big deal for the environment.
Electric cars crash through Aussie price barrier again
The price of electric cars has fallen in Australia again, with one popular model available for less than $31,000, but experts warn high-end EV sales may stall.
Climate, koala alarm as coal mines cleared to dig more
The Albanese government has been condemned for green-lighting the expansion of three coal mines as operators describe the move as sensible.
Electricity bills could spike under nuclear power plan
Electricity bills would need to rise significantly to recoup costs associated with building and running nuclear plants in Australia, new analysis suggests.
Australia could double solar power by 2030, report says
Putting solar panels on the roofs of businesses, new homes and social housing could double Australia's renewable power, a study has found.
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.
Scientific probe into controversial gas projects
Gas exploration in the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory will be assessed by an independent group of scientists, amid concerns over any impact to water.
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.