Around The Web

Humans have an innate affinity with nature. Embracing this in your home while locked down may improve your productivity and health. Cris Brack, Associate Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Aini Jasmin Ghazalli, Graduate student Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's emissions in 2019 fell to their lowest level in four years, but we are still a long way from the cuts needed to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

The post Emissions fall for first time since 2015, as renewables set new records appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The 57MW Cherry Tree wind farm near Seymour delivers first power to the grid to grid in Victoria, just under two months after last of the project’s turbines were installed.

The post Cherry Tree wind farm delivers first generation to Victorian grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Angus Taylor again refuses to details of advice to government about energy and emissions policies, refusing a RenewEconomy FOI request.

The post Taylor, department refuse to release findings of ‘expert panel’ into emissions reductions appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Abu Dhabi Power Corp lays claim to “world’s lowest tariff” for solar power, with competitive bids for 2GW Al Dhafra project setting a price at roughly $A0.02/kWh.

The post Stunning record low bid of US 1.35 cents/kWh wins Abu Dhabi solar auction appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Simec Atlantis has completed the installation of mammoth tidal stream turbine, boasting a rotor diameter of 18 metres, in the Zhoushan archipelago in China.

The post Simec Atlantis completes “mammoth” tidal turbine build in Wuhan appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

Energy minister Angus Taylor said "too much" wind and solar would push up prices. Experience, and new modelling, shows the opposite is true.

The post Recipe for cheaper electricity? Try 90 per cent renewables by 2040 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Great Britain has run for a new record of 18 days, six hours and 15 minutes without burning coal to generate electricity – and counting – as the coronavirus lockdown cuts demand by nearly 20%.

The post Analysis: Great Britain hits coal-free electricity record amid coronavirus lockdown appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The EU ETS is 'fit for purpose' to deliver the bloc's current climate objectives, even despite the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, but it will struggle to deliver the long-term ambitions under the European Green Deal in its current shape, according to a report released Tuesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday reiterated her support for a more ambitious EU emissions reduction target for 2030, and along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged fellow lawmakers to ensure that the bloc’s Green Deal is a central and guiding component of Europe’s post-coronavirus recovery plan.

California gasoline consumption declined year-on-year in January while diesel sales rose over the month, but the statewide ‘shelter-in-place’ order implemented in March to quell the spread of the coronavirus is expected to cause those figures to plummet.

Plants take carbon from the atmosphere as they grow, but it goes straight back when they die or are harvested. There is an important difference between carbon fluxes and actual carbon sequestration. Sebastian Leuzinger, Professor, Auckland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As we face mounting job losses, taxpayers have a right to anticipate that the government's investments will be strategically sound. Laura Schuijers, Research Fellow in Environmental Law, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Emissions in the EU ETS this year will plunge by twice as much as previously thought, analysts have estimated amid predictions of a major economic contraction for the bloc in 2020 due to the coronavirus.

New England ISO (NE-ISO) electricity generation slid during the first quarter amid the COVID-19 pandemic, likely reducing entities' compliance obligations in the US Northeast RGGI ETS, data suggests.

António Guterres calls for coronavirus aid to be directed at firms with green credentials

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

Governments should not use taxpayer cash to rescue fossil fuel companies and carbon-intensive industries, but should devote economic rescue packages for the coronavirus crisis to businesses that cut greenhouse gas emissions and create green jobs, the UN secretary general has urged.

“Where taxpayers’ money is used to rescue businesses, it must be creating green jobs and sustainable and inclusive growth,” said António Guterres, speaking at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, a virtual meeting of more than 30 governments on the climate crisis, which concluded on Tuesday. “It must not be bailing out outdated, polluting, carbon-intensive industries.”

Continue reading...

Three dozen California lawmakers asked Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday to hold firm on environmental and public health regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing industry attempts to utilise the virus outbreak to weaken those policies.

Brussels will delay its assessment of the bloc’s 27 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) initially scheduled by June, as four countries have not yet submitted their own roadmaps, Croatia’s environment minister said on Tuesday.

Nicola Sturgeon says there may be "some benefit" in wearing a cloth face covering in enclosed areas.