Urgent action needed to stamp out battery fire risks
Companies who import electronic goods to Australia should be forced to register and recycle their batteries, an expert says, to address growing fire risks.
environmental pollution
Sky’s the limit: Australia urged to boost green fuel
Australia has the potential to lead the world in sustainable aviation fuel but a report warns that other countries are making progress faster.
Consumer group sees red over ‘greenwashing’ claims
Appliances should receive a repair rating to help consumers navigate vague claims and invest in genuinely sustainable products, a consumer group says.
Australia to be scored on its renewable energy progress
Australian efforts to cut emissions and generate more renewable electricity will be tracked and traced by a climate group.
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.
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.
Big coal miner stares down protests, shareholder vote
Shareholders voting at Whitehaven Coal's annual general meeting have supported the company's executive remuneration plan, defeating moves to spill the board.
Pollution problem: the issue making kids sick at school
Children face higher risks of poor health outcomes due to traffic-related air pollution as one in six capital city schools are located near major roads.
Electric prime movers finally rolling into Australia
More companies are swapping heavy-duty diesel trucks for electric prime movers, but industry experts say regulations still need to change to get more on roads.
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.
Australia to test drive a battery electric dual-cab ute
An electric ute prototype from Toyota will be put the test in Australia during the next year but there is no word on when it might be released for sale.
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
‘Tar balls’ shut Sydney beaches, but low safety threat
Experts believe the mysterious, dark-coloured balls washing up on Sydney beaches are tar balls, which often occur after an oil spill.
Beaches reopen after baffling tar ball mystery
Remaining Sydney beaches affected by tar balls have been cleared to reopen this weekend as authorities continue trying to identify who or what was responsible.
Autonomous flying taxis prepare for launch in Australia
Would you ride in a plane with no pilot? One aerospace company is betting on it, signing a deal with Australian air safety regulator to establish rules.
Car battery ‘passports’ could help manage growing waste
Australia should adopt a tracking scheme and battery passports like Europe to deal with the growing pile of electric car waste, an inquiry has heard.
Red Cross on a quest for clothing fit for a friend
The Red Cross wants Australians to donate quality to its clothing drive this year, with Uber also on hand to pick up people's offerings from their doorstep.
Green ideals meet hip-pocket pain as power prices surge
Young Australians are most likely to pay a premium to access renewable energy at home, a study has found, but high energy prices are turning off others.
Wanted: $100m investment fund seeks green Aussie tech
A multimillion-dollar venture capital fund, backed by 50 companies including Westpac, is looking for clean energy innovations that could go global.
Hybrids demoted to make way for electric Uber rides
Rideshare giant Uber is making changes to encourage more drivers to adopt electric vehicles, including knocking hybrid cars out of 'green' service.
Liquid metals might solve puzzle of shipping hydrogen
Cutting emissions from transport and agriculture could be possible after an Australian discovery published by researchers from three universities.
Australia’s first solar garden prepares for its harvest
Solar gardens could be a solution for people locked out of the booming renewable energy market, experts say, as the first of its kind prepares to pay investors.
Shareholders test Coles, Woolies over extinction threat
Australia's supermarket duopoly is facing a double-barrelled shareholder challenge over fish farming threats to an ancient, imperilled species.
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.
Australia could be global launch pad for green flights
Aviation experts say Australia could lead the world in carbon-cutting jet fuel if governments and the industry take action in the next year.
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.
Trial for tech that strips forever chemicals from water
There's rising global concern about a vast family of toxic man-made chemicals but Queensland scientists have developed a promising new solution.
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.
Opportunity knocks for winner of women in country award
Indigenous advocate and creator of the Remote OpShop Project, Tanya Egerton, has been named the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National Winner
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.
What’s that name? Little-known EV brands race to market
Your next car might have a brand name you have never seen before as a host of Chinese automakers line up to launch electric vehicles in Australia.