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European countries are spending big to revive their economies, but they will have no legitimacy with young people if they ignore the climate

The future of Europe depends on climate action. This is the resounding message that young Europeans have delivered to their leaders over the past two years. To be sure, the wave of young climate activists across the continent, from Fridays for Future to Extinction Rebellion, is part of a global response to the climate crisis. But for the EU in particular, it is also a warning from a new generation of Europeans to their leaders: our European identity hinges on your climate policies.

For our parents’ generation, the European Union defined itself as a protector of peace, a fortress against fascism and a society of (relative) social security. For our generation – we are in our mid-20s – this narrative does not resonate. We came of age in a Europe of crises: a financial collapse, a panic over migration, a surge of populism. These formative moments gave the lie to the notion of a united European identity. To many of us, the EU appeared less a project of democracy, diversity or solidarity than one of bureaucracy, xenophobia and fracture. What is more, Europe’s responses to these crises were hardly material for a new common narrative. Just the opposite: the responses were the crises.

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The Paris agreement threw a lifeline to millions of people of color facing a premature death. Trump is tearing that away

It’s official – in 100 days the United States will formally withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. The impact of Donald Trump’s decision, taken three years ago, is already being felt by environmental justice communities.

Racism is the driving force behind why certain people and places face disproportionate environmental exposure to toxic substances, adverse climate change effects, Covid-19 infections and deaths. This raises the question: was withdrawing from the Paris agreement also a racist decision? How will this morally incomprehensible policy change affect Black, Latinx, Indigenous and other communities of color?

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• The day after the election, the US is poised to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
• The Guardian believes the climate emergency is the defining issue of our time. Make a contribution today to support our journalism.

On 4 November, the day after the presidential election, the US is poised to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. The agreement, which came together after years of diplomacy by the Obama administration and other global leaders, commits 200 countries to chart a new course in efforts to combat climate change.

But very soon the United States may not be one of them.

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After decades of negotiations, all 197 nations in the world decided to voluntarily cut the heat-trapping pollution that is causing the climate crisis by signing the Paris climate agreement. Only a handful of countries have not ratified the deal.

But on 4 November, in a coincidence of timing just 24 hours after its presidential election, the US will formally exit the agreement, joining Iran and Turkey as the only major countries not to participate in the pact, which is seen by many as the minimum effort the world needs to make on cutting emissions.

The Guardian's environment reporters Emily Holden and Oliver Milman look at why Donald Trump wants to leave the agreement, whether the deal can be successful without the US and what is at stake for the planet without America's cooperation

• Q&A: What the US exiting the Paris climate accord means
• Sign up to the Green Light email to get the planet's most important stories
  

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Brunei Darussalam will introduce a carbon pricing mechanism by 2025 as the main pillar of its strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions around 50-60% below BAU levels by 2035.

Climate-related financial risks have already entered the corporate boardroom. With this case, they’ve now come knocking at the government's door. Jacqueline Peel, Professor of Environmental and Climate Law, University of Melbourne Rebekkah Markey-Towler, Research assistant, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Pacific Community is looking for a director for its Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme.

The Industry, Infrastructure and Environment Division offers fascinating work on issues that matter to communities and go to the heart of our country’s amenity, resilience and global reputation for unique environmental assets.

Another nine large scale solar farms in north Queensland with total capacity of more than 700MW warned their output could be cut to zero due to "system strength" issues.

The post Nine more solar farms could have output cut to zero due to system strength issues appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Operator says UK can tap carbon capture and renewables to help meet UK’s targets

Carbon emissions from Britain’s electricity system could turn negative by as early as 2033 if the UK uses carbon capture technology alongside more renewable energy to reach its climate targets, according to a report from National Grid.

The electricity network operator on Monday set out its vision for an “emissions negative” grid that would include 30m electric vehicles on UK roads, and 8m heat pumps used to replace gas boilers in energy-efficient homes.

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Latest AEMO study into virtual power plants shows how household batteries and solar will be critical for managing highs and lows of the grid.

The post Household batteries and solar will be critical for managing highs and lows of the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

System of overhead cables and adapted lorries could pay for itself within 15 years

The UK could eliminate the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from road freight by installing overhead charging cables for electric lorries on “e-highways” across the country, a report by government-funded academics suggests.

The plan for a so-called electric road system would cost £19.3bn and put all but the most remote parts of the UK within reach of the trucks by the late 2030s, with the potential for the investment to pay for itself within 15 years, according to the report by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight. The centre is backed by government research grants and industry partners including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis.

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Labor refers federal funding for Queensland coal plant feasibility study to watch dog, and asks why fund was granted before a company with no energy experience even applied for it.

The post Federal funding for coal power station feasibility study referred to watchdog appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Some of Australia’s biggest carbon emitters have joined efforts to identify pathways to making five major industrial sectors reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Demand is up in past month, and wind was down, but renewables share has grown over last 12 months and is helping lock in low prices for next year or two.

The post Know Your NEM: Home heating demand rises, but low prices locked in appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Redflow zinc-bromine flow batteries paired with solar take Tambourine Mountain home – and electric vehicle – off-grid and 100% renewable-powered.

The post Solar + flow batteries take Brisbane home off grid, no back-up required appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The rivalry between Europe and China in emission-free hydrogen technologies could become one of the defining business stories in the global effort to stop climate change.

The post Europe vies with China for clean hydrogen superpower status appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A group of Australia's largest industrial emissions set to co-operate on reducing supply chain emissions through newly formed Energy Transitions Initiative.

The post Australia’s big emitters sign up to co-operate on cutting supply chain emissions appeared first on RenewEconomy.

W.A. unveils plan to spend $66.3m on solar and battery storage for schools, isolated communities and social housing as part of a $5.5bn Covid recovery plan.

The post W.A. to spend $66m on solar and batteries for schools, communities and social housing appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The NHS soon needs to start flu vaccinations and Covid vaccine trials - but anti-vax attitudes seem to be spreading.