The road to new fuel efficiency rules is filled with potholes. Here’s how Australia can avoid them
Last week, federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen officially put fuel efficiency standards on the national agenda, saying the measure would reduce transport emissions and encourage electric vehicle uptake.
Skills shortages could cripple renewables boom
In just eight years time, the Labor government wants Australia to be 82% powered by renewable energy. That means a rapid, historic shift, given only 24% of our power was supplied by renewables as of last year.
Who’s holding back electric cars in Australia? It’s time to clear the road
New analysis this week found strong fuel efficiency standards would have saved Australia $5.9 billion in fuel costs and emissions equal to a year’s worth of domestic flights if the policy was adopted in 2015.
Recent events push NEM turnover to new heights
The story of recent times in Australia’s National Electricity Market has been the significant escalation of wholesale price outcomes in the market.
The Greens have backed Labor’s 43% target – but don’t think Australia’s climate wars are over
After a decade of climate policy failure, Wednesday brought good news and slightly less good news for Australian action on climate change.
Solar is the cheapest power, and a literal light-bulb moment showed us we can cut costs and emissions even further
New research suggests we might be able to rethink the type of silicon needed to make high-efficiency solar cells, say researchers from the CSIRO, UNSW and Oxford University.
How to release the handbrake: Delivering the workforce Australia needs
To hear Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committing Australia to a clean energy future is cause for enormous optimism for those of us in the renewable energy sector. Finally, after too many years of static, the signal is clear: Australia is open for renewable business. Investors can now move forward with confidence into what is one of the greatest economic opportunities for our country in generations.
Labor introduces controversial climate bill to parliament. Here’s how to give it real teeth
The Federal Government this week introduced its hotly awaited climate change bill to parliament. Despite the attention and controversy it’s attracted, the proposed legislation – as it stands – would be almost entirely symbolic.
Lessons from Australia’s ‘climate wars’ help chart path to better climate policy
Last week, two influential environmental groups warned the Greens not to stymie progress on Australia’s climate policy. In an unusual intervention, Greenpeace and the Australian Conservation Foundation urged the Greens to “play a constructive role” with Labor or risk being blamed for holding climate policy back.
This is Australia’s most important report on the environment’s deteriorating health. We present its grim findings
Australia’s State of the Environment report was released today, after its publication was delayed by the former Morrison government until after the federal election. The review, completed by scientists last year, was described by the new environment and water minister, Tanya Plibersek, has a “shocking document” showing Australia’s environment has been deteriorating and is in poor condition. Professors from the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales present the findings.
