Pacific
Australia’s climate change polarisation hampers long-term bushfire fixes
‘We need to re-invent and re-think the management of our landscape,’ say bushfire experts, warning adapting to climate change will require bipartisan political support
Australia’s bushfires to cost billions as climate risks rise
Australian government announces national bushfire recovery fund, as cost of natural disasters expected to rise in coming years
One of the world’s biggest emitters is trying to fly under the radar at Cop25
Australia is the third biggest fossil fuel exporter, has high emissions and plans to use a loophole to meet its pledges. Don’t let them stay in the background
Australia admits it is on its own using cringe carbon loophole
Governments need to agree the rules over how to use carbon markets to cut emissions, but they shouldn’t take their eyes off Australia’s brash side hustle
Climate Weekly: What went wrong in Australia?
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Australian emissions rise as LNG production soars
Emissions from gas extraction cause carbon pollution to continue to rise, while agency issues warning about health of Great Barrier Reef
Pacific leaders set new bar by collectively declaring climate crisis
When regional giants Australia and NZ joined small islands at a recent leaders’ forum they produced the Pacific’s strongest-ever call to act on climate change
Australia seeks to water down climate declaration at Pacific summit
An annotated draft Pacific Islands Forum statement shows the Morrison administration trying to quash references to 1.5C, carbon neutrality and coal development
Pacific islands criticise Australia’s carbon accounting dodge
Island leaders called out the banking of old carbon credits to meet future climate goals, a trick Australia is relying on in the absence of carbon-cutting policies
Australia’s emissions rise again, putting Paris climate promise in doubt
Data showing increase was released late, in defiance of a senate order, but leaked to a major newspaper, leading to accusations of contempt of parliament
Australia’s coal communities, ignored by Labor, deliver brutal election defeat
In a stunning upset, voters returned the pro-coal government, prompting soul-searching among Australia’s left wing parties
New Zealand’s farmers have a chance to be climate leaders
A separate target for methane from sheep and cattle has been painted as a sop to farmers; on the contrary, it puts the onus on the sector to curb warming
Australian voters can’t trust the Coalition on climate and energy
The current government has only shown contempt for meaningful climate policy and renewable energy – why would they change now?
New Zealand introduces ‘zero carbon’ bill with concession to farmers
Under a draft law, the country will reduce greenhouse gases to net-zero by 2050, except for methane from its large meat and dairy herds
Australia stops payments to Green Climate Fund
Australian budget offers nothing to flagship UN scheme as its board seeks replenishment, while climate shapes as divisive election issue
The ‘laughing matter’ of Australia’s relationship with the Pacific
The Fijian PM used the Australian leader’s visit to call out his promotion of fossil fuels, showing Scott Morrison is on the wrong side in the Pacific as well as at home
Sydney and Melbourne vow to ditch coal power
Australian cities joined global alliance to end coal-fired power, while the federal government proposes using taxpayer cash to underwrite new plants
Lead or sue? Pacific islands take twin tracks on climate change
Vanuatu becomes the first nation state to threaten oil majors with climate damages lawsuits, while the Marshall Islands submits updated climate plan to the UN
Australia leads push to open UN shipping talks to media
Greater transparency would curb industry dominance in the International Maritime Organization, say campaigners, but key countries are opposed
Island president beats no-confidence vote, days before leading climate summit
Marshall Islands Hilda Heine narrowly defeated the motion, just days before she is due to open a virtual summit of climate-vulnerable nations