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Extraction also causes 80% of biodiversity loss, according to comprehensive UN study

Extraction industries are responsible for half of the world’s carbon emissions and more than 80% of biodiversity loss, according to the most comprehensive environmental tally undertaken of mining and farming.

While this is crucial for food, fuel and minerals, the study by UN Environment warns the increasing material weight of the world’s economies is putting a more dangerous level of stress on the climate and natural life-support systems than previously thought.

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Thousands have joined the Trashtag Challenge and cleaned up litter-filled places along the way.

This position will provide an expert level of leadership in the matter of GHG accounting and reporting for BP’s downstream segment including Refining, Petrochemicals, Lubricants, Fuels, and Offsetting services.

Researchers say dirty air is killing 800,000 people a year in Europe, and urge the phasing out of fossil fuel burning

The number of early deaths caused by air pollution is double previous estimates, according to research, meaning toxic air is killing more people than tobacco smoking.

The scientists used new data to estimate that nearly 800,000 people die prematurely each year in Europe because of dirty air, and that each life is cut short by an average of more than two years. The health damage caused by air pollution in Europe is higher than the global average. Its dense population and poor air results in exposure that is among the highest in the world.

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Interest in New Zealand carbon allowances flared up on Tuesday, pushing the spot contract up 15 cents to close at its highest level in a month.

UN warns of global failure to tackle hazards – with risks ranging from cancer to coral damage

Sales of synthetic chemicals will double over the next 12 years with alarming implications for health and the environment, according to a global study that highlights government failures to rein in the industry behind plastics, pesticides and cosmetics.

The second Global Chemicals Outlook, which was released in Nairobi on Monday, said the world will not meet international commitments to reduce chemical hazards and halt pollution by 2020. In fact, the study by the United Nations Environment Programme found that the industry has never been more dominant nor has humanity’s dependence on chemicals ever been as great.

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By investing in solar panels and going electric for your motoring and heating, you can directly offset your greenhouse emissions. And in the long run, the upfront costs will repay themselves. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Regulator lifts target for rooftop solar certificates for 2019, but leaves price untouched.

The post Regulator sets higher rooftop solar target, no changes to price appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Developers say size and unpredictable nature of changes to output ratings could leave some wind and solar projects stalled at the gate, with big consequences for the market.

The post New solar, wind projects may stall in face of network “bloodbath” appeared first on RenewEconomy.

2GB broadcasts from inside a coal mine, interviews a couple of old fossils, and warns of "economic chaos" from renewables.

The post 2GB’s high emissions, low integrity broadcast from “greeny-free” coal mine appeared first on RenewEconomy.

WA government terminates $16m Albany wave project contract with Carnegie Clean Energy, citing reasons outside the company's control.

The post Carnegie dealt new blow, as WA govt pulls plug on Albany wave contract appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Genex Power completes acquisition of 50MW Jemalong project in NSW, in bid to diversify, boost earnings, as flagship Kidston solar and pumped hydro storage project progresses.

The post Genex finalises NSW solar purchase, as progress continues on Kidston hydro appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Ever wondered what happens to the household waste paper thrown out for recycling in Europe and the US?

Another major solar farm in Queensland has joined the grid, with the 100MW Lilyvale plant – 50km north east of Emerald – beginning production late last week. The Lilyvale solar farm is being developed by Spanish renewables developer FRV  and has a long term power purchase agreement with state-owned retailer Ergon Energy for all of its...

The post Lilyvale is latest large scale solar farm to begin production in Queensland appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Renewables accounted for 65% of Germany's electricity production last week.

The post Germany sources 65% of electricity production from renewables in last week appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Ikea Australia unveils first electric delivery vehicles and says all 350 of its fleet will be electric by 2025.

The post IKEA Australia to take delivery vehicle fleet all electric by 2025 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Tesla teases with online glimpse of its first electric SUV ahead of Thursday’s Model Y launch.

The post Tesla gives first glimpse of Model Y ahead of March 14 launch appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

Washington state representatives are currently deciding if a proposal to implement a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) will be put to a floor vote or extended ahead of a deadline this week, a legislative spokesperson told Carbon Pulse.

Air pressure over Europe and North Atlantic may provide vital data to UK energy suppliers

This time last year the UK was recovering from the “beast from the east”. Across the country heating was dialled to max and gas suppliers struggled to keep up with demand. Now a study shows how autumn wind patterns could help utility companies anticipate winter weather.

Normally energy providers use historical data to predict the temperature in the colder months. But British weather is fickle and winters vary, so this technique is unreliable. Instead Prof Adam Scaife, the head of long range prediction at the Met Office, and his colleagues compared atmospheric circulation patterns in November with gas demand the following winter.

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