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Drilling in one of the greatest carbon sinks on the planet could release greenhouse gases equivalent to Japan’s annual emissions, experts warn

The world’s largest tropical peatlands could be destroyed if plans go ahead to drill for oil under the Congo basin, according to an investigation that suggests draining the area would release the same amount of carbon dioxide as Japan emits annually.

Preserving the Congo’s Cuvette Centrale peatlands, which are the size of England and store 30bn tonnes of carbon, is “absolutely essential” if there is any hope of meeting Paris climate agreement goals, scientists warn.

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Teenage activist tells huge crowd: ‘We will not be silenced because we are the change’

Tens of thousands of people, many of them children skipping school, braved heavy rain to join a climate strike headed by Greta Thunberg in Bristol city centre.

The vast crowd fell silent as the 17-year-old activist told them governments were acting like children and so it fell to young people to be “the adults in the room”.

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EUAs extended their downward plunge early on Friday, but found support above €23 despite global equities facing their worst week since the 2008 financial crisis on the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. 

Queensland energy minister details concerns over potential negative consequences of a new, unneeded, coal-fired power station in Queensland.

The post Queensland “deeply concerned” over Coalition plans for new coal generator appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg rallies protesters in Bristol ahead of a march through the city.

Greta Thunberg made an example of Bristol climate activists for delaying plans for a new airport when she spoke at a rally for youth climate strikers before joining their march.

The Swedish environmentalist addressed the crowd of about 25,000 people in the city. Schools closed, lecture theatres emptied and offices shut as people gathered to hear her speak 

• Watch Greta Thunberg's climate speech in Bristol – as it happened
• Greta Thunberg in Bristol: schools shut as students join climate strike

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Climate activist to address crowd of 25,000 people before taking part in a march through the city

Greta Thunberg is due to address at youth climate strike in Bristol, where schools closed, lecture theatres emptied and offices shut as people gathered to hear her speak.

A crowd of 25,000 people was expected to bring traffic to a standstill in the city. Thunberg is to address the masses before taking part in a march through the city.

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

The oil and gas industry again pushed up greenhouse gas emissions from Australia’s biggest companies last year, as the ongoing export boom outpaced a modest decrease from electricity generation.

Activists hope appeal court’s decision will mean death of third runway expansion plan

In the bar of the Five Bells pub, campaigners against a third runway at Heathrow were celebrating.

The 400-year-old establishment in Harmondsworth has been at the centre of the fight against the airport’s expansion for nearly 20 years. Under the plans, half of the ancient village would be destroyed, including a number of listed buildings and a small housing estate. The rest would be at the perimeter fence of the new runway, and would be, residents say, uninhabitable due to the thunderous noise and pollution.

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The carbon intensity of China’s economy fell 4.1% in 2019, the government said Friday, though a rise in fossil fuel consumption likely meant absolute emissions continued to rise.

This city hates prohibitions of any kind. But maybe a plastic-free future will force us out of our comfort zone

For the last six months, notices have gone up at the checkouts of most supermarkets in New York warning customers of a forthcoming change. You can’t live in this city without ignoring things. At any given point, avoiding the roaches, the smells and the creeping sense that in 50 years we will be underwater takes up fully 10% of one’s energy. At the top of that list has been the energetic avoidance of actually reading the sign at the checkout informing us that on 1 March plastic bags will be banned – not just subject to surcharge, but outlawed – across the entire state of New York. If the city is unprepared for coronavirus, it is safe to say this is nothing next to the scenes that will greet us on Sunday morning, when people with a weekly shop in their trolleys arrive at the checkout.

It is quite thrilling, not least because banning things runs so contrary to the American idea. More than 23bn plastic bags are used in New York each year, and the planet is dying, but even so, the Bag Waste Reduction Law is so muscular, so big government, that no one can quite believe it is happening. There are a few workarounds. You will still be able to buy paper bags, for 5c each, but stores aren’t required to provide them. And some supermarkets are offering reusable plastic bags. (To qualify as “reusable”, a bag has to be able to carry 22lbs over a distance of 175 feet, which it is pleasing to imagine the bag police trying to test and enforce).

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Tesla big battery at Hornsdale delivered $116 million of savings to consumers in 2019, and played critical role in averting blackouts, a new report says.

The post Hornsdale big battery doubles savings to consumers, and keeps lights on appeared first on RenewEconomy.

new report has revealed Western Australia's Future Battery Industry Strategy is driving the creation of new and operational jobs.

The post Future Battery Industry Strategy powers economic growth and jobs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Tesla gauging interest in its solar modules and solar tile products, while IKEA brings its flat pack solar package to Australia. Plus: Suspensions in regulator crackdown.

The post Solar Insiders Podcast: Tesla, IKEA eye Australia solar market appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Company behind Australia’s largest unsubsidised big battery project issues green bond to lure global investors into Asia-Pacific pure renewables space.

The post Vena issues $US325m green bond to help fund Australia battery, solar projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Clean Energy Regulator takes action against another three solar installation companies for non-compliance or fraud within the national small-scale renewable energy scheme.

The post Three rooftop solar companies suspended by regulator appeared first on RenewEconomy.

CEC says decision to retain marginal loss factors will further undermine investor confidence in clean energy generation.

The post Clean Energy Council slams AEMC on MLF decision, says it will undermine investment appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The blast in the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster left a cavity 15 times bigger than our Milky Way galaxy.

Clean Energy Council joins calls for additional ARENA funding, but Taylor avoids further commitments.

The post Industry joins call for ARENA funding extension, as Taylor ducks commitment appeared first on RenewEconomy.