Around The Web

Renewed commitment to coal could scupper Britain’s aim to secure global phase-out pact at climate summit

China plans to build more coal-fired power plants and has hinted that it will rethink its timetable to slash emissions, in a significant blow to the UK’s ambitions for securing a global agreement on phasing out coal at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow.

In a statement after a meeting of Beijing’s National Energy Commission, the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, stressed the importance of regular energy supply, after swathes of the country were plunged into darkness by rolling blackouts that hit factories and homes.

Continue reading...

Two investment management firms from the US and Australia opened RGGI CO2 Allowance Tracking System (COATS) accounts in recent days, while a Pennsylvania-based facility also registered a general account ahead of the state’s possible entrance to the scheme next year.

Transgrid study says Australia could – and should – be 100% renewable powered by 2035, with all coal generation phased out by 2032.

The post “Unstoppable transition:” Australia can hit 91% renewables by 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Bulgaria will target a coal phaseout by 2038 or 2040, caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev told business this week.

EU lawmakers on Tuesday urged the EU to form an "international climate club” with other big emitting nations that would be shielded from the effects of the bloc's proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).

A record 75% of voters are worried about climate and 69% want the PM to push for net zero, but Queenslanders are less concerned than the rest of the nation

• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

A majority of Australians are worried about the threat posed by global heating and want serious action to address it, but Queenslanders are less concerned than people in other states, according to the latest Climate of the Nation report.

The authoritative annual survey of 2,626 voters – now in its 14th year and managed by the progressive thinktank the Australia Institute – suggests three-quarters are worried about the climate crisis, the largest proportion in its history.

Continue reading...

The Environment Agency says the UK is unprepared for dealing with the effects of climate change.

‘Absurd’ practice causes ecological damage, releases carbon dioxide and can lead to flooding

More than 100 moorland fires have been reported across England’s national parks in the past four days, a fivefold increase on last year.

Just weeks before countries gather in Glasgow for Cop26, the UN climate summit, thousands of acres of moorland across the north of England have been torched as part of annual burning carried out by the grouse shooting industry, a practice wildlife campaigners describe as “absurd” and “illogical on so many grounds”.

Continue reading...

NSW unveils a green hydrogen plan, aiming to attract $80 billion of investment and slashing costs of the technology.

The post NSW unveils $80 billion green hydrogen strategy, with incentives to plug into grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New survey shows 8 in 10 Australians support the phase of coal power, and vast majority say economic recovery should be powered by renewables, not gas.

The post Australians reject “gas led recovery” as climate concern surges to new highs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Tens of thousands of Australian jobs at risk due to country's weak climate policies, as other countries ponder carbon border taxes.

The post Australia’s weak climate policies a threat to 70,000 Australian jobs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The activist says she will continue to repeat her message until governments take meaningful steps to address the climate crisis

Greta Thunberg is “open” to meeting with Joe Biden at the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, though the young Swedish activist does not expect much from either the US leader or the make-or-break summit that runs from 31 October to 12 November.

In an interview with the global media collaboration Covering Climate Now, Thunberg expressed surprise at the idea that the US president, or any world leader, might want to sit down with her at Cop26, but said she was open to the possibility, if asked. “I guess that will depend on the situation,” she said. “I don’t see why these people want to meet with me, but yeah.”

Continue reading...

A number of CDM developers are planning a rush of CER issuances to benefit from slightly higher prices and to get them off their books before potential UN decisions leave the units worthless.

The global CCS pipeline has expanded rapidly in 2021, adding dozens of new projects since the end of last year, according to the Global CCS Institute in its 2021 status report released on Tuesday.

EUAs weakened on Tuesday morning as participants eyed the steadily increasing pace of issuance of free allowances for 2021, while energy markets all fluctuated within a comparatively narrow range.

North American environmental firm Bluesource has partnered with investment firm Oak Hill Advisers to form a $500 million joint venture and develop forestry-based carbon credits for both the compliance and voluntary markets, the companies announced Tuesday.

China on Tuesday announced several key reforms to its coal-fired electricity market, which analysts say could allow generators to pass on the cost of carbon.

South Korea plans to do its purchasing of international credits under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, according to government documents, potentially ruling out the option of incentivising private sector players to buy some of the volume under mechanisms such as the CDM.

At laboratories across Florida, marine biologists have been creating coral reefs, complete with artificial currents and local fish, in the search for a way to prevent stony coral tissue loss disease, which has swept along the state’s coastline and across the Caribbean

• Photographs by Chandan Khanna (AFP/Getty)

Continue reading...

Queensland government-owned coal generator to build a solar and battery-powered hydrogen electrolyser near Chinchilla on the Darling Downs.

The post Queensland coal generator pivots to renewable hydrogen, powered by solar and battery appeared first on RenewEconomy.