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New research proves what we already knew, the main problem with climate change is ... the super wealthy!

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The Australian Energy Regulator is considering options to impose more controls over the dispatch of wind and solar farms, after alarms were raised over the increasing number of wind and solar projects that suddenly withdraw capacity when wholesale prices are negative. In the last year or two an increasing number of wind and solar facilities...

The post Energy regulator considers options to control output of wind and solar farms appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Queensland Zinc producer Sun Metals to expand push into clean energy after securing state government grant for green hydrogen facility.

The post Sun Metals to add green hydrogen facility to Zinc refinery and solar farm appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Car taxes should increase to help fund the battle against climate change, government advisers say.

Conceptual still-life photographer Ted Humble-Smith celebrates 50 years of world-beating technology.

Report says Boris Johnson’s lack of climate leadership risks missing target and embarrassing UK at Cop26

• Road to net zero: what the Committee on Climate Change recommends
  

The UK is falling behind on its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions and risks a surge in carbon emissions as lockdown eases, the government’s climate advisers warn.

Ministers must act fast if the UK is to avoid a massive rebound in carbon emissions after the coronavirus crisis eases, Lord Deben, chair of the committee on climate change (CCC), which published its progress report to parliament on Thursday, said. By setting up new schemes to insulate homes, raise carbon taxes, switch to electric vehicles and improve broadband, the government could spur a green recovery to create jobs and cut emissions permanently.

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The government adviser publishes its progress report today. Here are the areas it says require urgent attention

• Act fast to stop UK carbon emission rebound, climate advisers urge

The government’s statutory adviser, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), publishes its progress report on Thursday on efforts to cut emissions. This is what it says needs to happen urgently if the UK is to reach its target of hitting net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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WWF Australia says after new analysis that federal department is failing to enforce environmental laws

More than a million hectares of threatened species’ habitat was cleared for agriculture in New South Wales and Queensland without referral to the federal environment department for assessment, according to new analysis by WWF Australia.

Data for land-clearing in both states suggests the department is failing to ensure developers and farming operations are following environmental laws, according to the analysis.

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Bipartisan Congressional legislation to help farmers and landowners participate in voluntary carbon markets could aid a sector that has recently experienced economic turmoil through trade wars and declining margins, agriculture groups and other stakeholders said Wednesday.

California granted more than 1.9 million new compliance offsets this week as the bulk of the credits went to a Washington-based forestry project on tribal lands, according to data published by regulator ARB on Wednesday.

German investors want the government to more than double the starting price for the country’s domestic carbon tax for transport and heating, which is due to launch next year.

EUA prices set a new four-month high on Wednesday despite heavy selling in other markets and experts warning that carbon is due a similar correction.

A Wisconsin-based compliance offset project violated state regulations after a waste storage facility leaked into the groundwater and caused contamination, according to documents published this month.

Small bird can forage more efficiently when Antarctic sea ice is sparse, research finds

Adélie penguin populations could boom in coming years, according to research revealing the small birds find it easier to forage when sea ice is sparse around continental Antarctica.

While sea ice extent has increased in the Antarctic over recent decades, in the past few years it has fallen dramatically – a matter of deep concern in the scientific community.

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The job losses will be equivalent to the entire local coal industry if the renewable energy target is not replaced

Up to 11,000 renewable energy workers are expected to lose their jobs over the next two years under current government policies, according to a university analysis.

If correct, the loss of jobs would be equivalent to the abolition of the domestic-focused coal industry, which employs a little more than 10,000 people in mining thermal coal for local use and running Australia’s coal-fired power plants.

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The EU’s 27 member states agreed on Wednesday on a common position for the €40 billion Just Transition Fund (JTF) aimed at supporting the bloc’s coal dependent and energy-intensive regions, with negotiations to finalise the bill expected to begin after the summer break.

The European Commission is working on a legislative proposal to incentivise EU-wide GHG removals using nature-based solutions and plans to launch a certification scheme in 2023, a senior Commission official said on Wednesday.

Solar and battery project planned for NSW Riverina region put on fast-track in third tranche of state government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.

The post Yanco solar and big battery project fast-tracked by NSW government appeared first on RenewEconomy.

First section of Goldwind Australia's 312MW Moorabool wind farm in central-western Victoria completed, and first turbine of second section fully installed.

The post First section of massive Moorabool wind farm completed in Victoria appeared first on RenewEconomy.