Australia
Asian net zero wave leaves Australia’s Scott Morrison isolated
While China, Japan and South Korea set net zero emissions targets and polls show strong support for Australia to follow, Morrison is standing by the coal industry
Australia green-lights controversial project in ‘gas-fired recovery’
Campaigners say the Narrabri gas project will destroy local biodiversity and water supplies as well as increase greenhouse gas emissions.
China host of major nature talks fails to step up at UN biodiversity summit
Campaigners had hoped President Xi would surprise the world again this week with tough measures to reverse biodiversity loss. They were left disappointed
Australia’s carbon accounting plan for Paris goals criticised as ‘legally baseless’
Legal experts wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison warning the use of old carbon credits to meet the country’s 2030 goals would set a ‘dangerous precedent’
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
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 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
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
End of coal power in Australia ‘inevitable’ – report
Market forces alone will see huge drop in coal use over next decade, academics find, adding that planning for a future without coal is ‘prudent risk management’
Australia’s new PM risks climate trade-off with EU
Scott Morrison is not expected to quit the Paris Agreement, as it could jeopardise ongoing trade talks with the EU, although he has no plan to meet climate targets
Ousted Australian PM: This government cannot address climate change
Turnbull says party is captured by ideologues with views not based in ‘engineering and economics’. He is replaced by treasurer who brought lump of coal to parliament
Australian leadership spill brings Paris climate exit into play
A challenge against Malcolm Turnbull, triggered by the collapse of a key energy policy, shows an anti-Paris faction is on the rise in Australia’s governing party
South Australia to hit 100% renewable power by 2025 – market operator
Contrary to federal government modelling, as old gas turbines switch off in the next decade, renewable electricity share will soar
Why is tiny Nauru getting $26.9m in climate finance to build a port?
Nauru’s biggest donor Australia lobbied for a project that raises tough questions over how climate finance differs from traditional development aid
Tasmania to reach 120% renewable electricity in five years, Labor pledge
An election policy from the state opposition would provide a boost to rooftop solar and see more clean energy shipped to the mainland
Another blow for giant Australian coal mine as rail company steps back
Freight company Aurizon has withdrawn its application for a federal loan to build a rail line to link proposed coal mines with ports on the coast
Kevin Rudd: ‘I don’t know how Malcolm Turnbull faces his grandkids’
Australia’s former prime minister talks about the failure of his country’s climate policy, the rise of China and the Carmichael coal mine