Around The Web

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a revised RGGI regulation on Friday that installs state-run auctions, cuts the 2020 CO2 budget and makes other technical changes ahead of its scheduled adoption later this summer.

California should evaluate the future of refinery allocations under its WCI-linked carbon market if allowance prices are expected to remain near the floor price in the post-2020 period, a state watchdog said Friday, adding that regulators should also consider the impact of the supply surplus and possible auction changes.

California carbon offset (CCO) supply may have topped out in recent years as protocol changes, manufacturing trends, and transitions to other climate programmes reduce future credit issuances, a project developer said Friday.

If the ALP loses Eden-Monaro next Saturday, it will be a significant blow to morale and a green light for internal mischief

We are going to track back to the week’s developments on energy policy, but I want to open this weekend in Eden-Monaro, with voters in the seat heading to the polls next Saturday.

The truisms of federal byelections are well known. Governments don’t normally win. Usually, voters use these contests as an opportunity to “send a message to Canberra” – often the message is “up yours”.

Continue reading...

Audit of offsets to approve developments suggests usage is worsening impact of endangered species, not reducing it

The Morrison government is being urged to fix the use of environmental offsets to approve developments after an audit found major flaws in a system supposed to help protect threatened species from extinction.

Scientists said the scathing audit of how the federal environment department administered national conservation laws suggested the use of offsets was worsening the impact on endangered species, not reducing it.

Continue reading...

We must demand that our leaders are up to the challenge or we will lose what is most precious about this beautiful and fragile wide brown land

Next week, Prof Graeme Samuel, the former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, will deliver interim findings of his review of the effectiveness of Australia’s national environment laws, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

The review will be delivered in the context of a devastating critique by the auditor general of the effectiveness of the federal environment department in administering the laws and with a backdrop of the environmental devastation caused by years of drought and a horrific summer of bushfires.

Continue reading...

The US will opt out of the first three years of the CORSIA offset mechanism for global air travel if other countries do not agree to alter the programme’s emissions baseline next week, with other nations potentially following suit, a Dutch minister said Friday.

Four EU governments including Germany have co-signed a statement asking the European Commission to consider additional options in preventing carbon leakage besides a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).

The pick of the world’s best flora and fauna photos, including a perky grasshopper and a sleepy turtle

Continue reading...

European carbon prices continued to ease on Friday after the most bearish auction in almost two months and as traders said the six-week rally appears to be "petering out".

Ministers fear over-reliance on US-based GPS in the event of an attack or technical failure.

Wireless charging could give all-electric taxis a competitive advantage as Jaguar partners in world-leading trial.

The post Jaguar offers high-powered wireless charging for taxi networks appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Ministers must act urgently to avoid significant emissions rebound, says Kevin Anderson

Kevin Anderson, one of the world’s leading climate scientists, had a familiar reaction to the latest report from the government’s climate advisors, which was published this week.

The 196-page document by the Committee on Climate Change delivered a stinging rebuke of the government’s record and said ministers must urgently up their game if the UK is to avoid a significant rebound in carbon emissions after the coronavirus crisis and meet its 2050 net zero carbon target.

Continue reading...

New Zealand carbon allowances on Friday were almost back up to their June 11 all-time high as sellers are reluctant to let go of permits amid bullish sentiment and high logging prices.

Closing prices, ranges and volumes for China's regional pilot carbon markets this week.

Weeks after launching plans for Australia-made hydrogen fuel cell SUV, H2X teams with ACT-based renewables company on the local manufacture of green hydrogen electrolysers.

The post H2X and Elvin Group to develop Australian-made green hydrogen refuelling stations appeared first on RenewEconomy.

NSW energy and environment minister Matt Kean's new government car is a Tesla Model 3, and he believes he is the first minister in the country to have an EV.

The post “Best car I’ve ever driven”: NSW energy minister gets a Tesla Model 3 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

PRESS RELEASE SYDNEY – JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. announced today that they have confirmed orders totaling more than 100MW with specialist wholesale distributor Blue Sun Group, with the focus of the orders on JinkoSolar’s Cheetah Plus panels.  JinkoSolar Cheetah Plus is unique in the power class due to the narrow profile, which allows use of...

The post JinkoSolar completes supply agreements totaling 100MW with Blue Sun Group appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia’s peak trade union body calls on Morrison government to introduce “credible” emissions and renewables policies or risk losing some of the nation’s core industries.

The post ACTU warns Morrison: get real on climate and renewables, or lose metals industry appeared first on RenewEconomy.