Nature delivers $510b bounty but needs more resources
Australia's environment is delivering much more than the government invests in it and contributes 20 per cent of the nation's economic output, a report finds.
environmental pollution
Hybrid sales accelerate but diesel utes claim top spots
Hybrid and electric vehicles are closing the gap on their petrol and diesel equivalents in Australia but the race remains slow and steady.
Ditch the diesel: the five sectors urged to go green
Major reforms may be needed to wean some Australian industries off diesel and reduce its significant contribution to the nation's carbon emissions.
‘Bizarre’ push to drop net zero sets up coalition clash
An effort to repeal the net zero emissions target has highlighted internal opposition divisions over climate change as Labor is urged to do more.
Industry, climate firms to give green iron green light
Creating a green metals industry is taking longer than expected, experts say, but an Australian summit is seeking ways to accelerate its creation.
‘Enraged’: no plastic treaty as talks end without deal
Delegates are angry and disappointed after negotiators working on a historic treaty to address plastic pollution failed to reach an agreement in Geneva.
Charge ahead: road taxes may be closer than they appear
A road user charge targeting electric vehicle drivers is gaining widespread approval but how it will work and when it will arrive remains up for debate.
Cover-up claims over ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water
More types of so-called "forever chemicals" have been detected in drinking water as scientists grapple with finding and removing them from the environment.
Rebooted plastic scheme could hike groceries cost
Consumers could face higher prices for goods wrapped in soft plastic as plans for a much-anticipated recycling scheme are revealed.
Plug-in hybrids speed up, EVs slow down in record month
Australian drivers have broken car sales records but some vehicle types are proving significantly more popular than others.
US memo urges countries to reject UN plastic caps
Hopes for a "last-chance" ambitious global treaty that tackles the full life cycle of plastic pollution have dimmed.
‘Not good enough’: electric vehicles fail range claims
Both electric and petrol-powered vehicles are failing to meet advertised promises, on-road tests reveal, which experts say is unacceptable.
Electric goes large: low-emission utes, vans get a show
Utes that can be plugged in and vans that run on batteries have gone on show in Australia for the first time, which experts say is proof the market has moved.
Surprise gas guzzlers identified in vehicle road tests
Several popular cars consume more petrol than their manufacturers promise, tests show, and hybrid vehicles are among some of the worst offenders.
Australian-made green plane fuel closer with grant win
Creating sustainable aviation fuel without using farm waste could be possible within months, researchers say, and will cut emissions from air travel.
UN urges Australia to lead global renewable energy race
Australia should set bolder targets to cut pollution and produce renewable energy, the UN says, to secure green exports and avoid further climate harm.
Beyond carbon: big four banks urged to capture more gas
It is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, but a report has found Australia's major banks have yet to single out methane emissions.
More EVs, fewer V8s: changes coming for Aussie drivers
Motorists can expect more electric and hybrid vehicles to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles to reverse after transport regulations finally take off.
Scientists turn to AI to crack the green ammonia riddle
Faced with testing 8000 substances to work out how to cut pollution from a key agricultural product, Aussie scientists turned to artificial intelligence.
Green tick: Australian net-zero projects to be rated
Environmental projects will be analysed and rated in Australia in a move experts say could prevent greenwashing and encourage international investments.
Hitting the brakes on EV, hybrid help could slow cuts
Removing tax breaks for plug-in hybrid vehicles is stalling their adoption, a group warns, and a lack of incentives could slow efforts to cut car emissions.
‘Lifeline’ for coral at risk of rising sea temperatures
Australian researchers have discovered coral bred from reefs in warmer oceans are more able to survive in extreme heat stress.
EV myths drive Aussies wrong way down electric avenue
One third of Australians believe misinformation circulating about electric vehicles, a study has found, with a conspiracy mindset most often to blame.
Why the carbon offset ‘swear jar’ needs an overhaul
Firms relying on carbon offsets to tout their green credentials and reduce their environmental footprints are under fresh scrutiny after a court settlement.
Australia urged to spend big while green iron is hot
Australia could replace carbon-intensive coal and gas exports with green iron and quadruple earnings, a report says, but only if it makes changes.
Winds of change: govt urged to seize energy mandate
More renewable energy projects should go ahead in Australia and be approved faster after Labor's federal election win, experts say.
Carbon offsets set aside following greenwashing lawsuit
EnergyAustralia has pledged to back away from the use of carbon offsets to deal with emissions, in a statement following a legal settlement.
More households want to go full electric but lack spark
Millions more Australian households plan to cut gas and go all-electric but many say they need more information and guidance to do so.
Parent group challenges energy giant over carbon claims
EnergyAustralia will face the Federal Court to answer allegations some of its "carbon neutral" products were not as green as they seemed.
A glimmer of hope for nuclear dream after election bomb
Voters rejected a plan to build seven nuclear reactors, but some experts say the technology's role in cutting emissions means it can't be ruled out.
Wastewater may solve wee green hydrogen price problem
The cost of renewable hydrogen could be cut substantially if Australian researchers can scale their latest discoveries involving wastewater.