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Calls for sachets to be included in UK and European legislation banning other single-use items

The government must act urgently to stamp out the “curse” of single-use plastic sachets, billions of which are helping to fuel the global plastics crisis, campaigners are warning.

A coalition of more than 50 business leaders, politicians and campaigners is demanding that the plastic sachets – used for everything from ketchup to shampoo – be included in European and UK legislation outlawing other “throwaway” items such as plastic straws and cotton buds.

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

California’s cap-and-trade linkage with Quebec created a binding agreement between the jurisdictions, while also obstructing or running afoul of the federal government's position on international climate policy, according to US Department of Justice (DOJ) brief filed Monday evening.

Nathusius’ pipistrelle sightings reported from as far apart as Cornwall and Scotland

An elusive British mammal, the tiny bat Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii), may be more widespread and numerous than previously thought.

Sometimes described as a rare visitor or a new coloniser because of climate change, it may have been here decades but had gone undetected.

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California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) prices for near-term delivery continued to retreat from record highs set earlier this month, while steady forward contract demand is supporting values at the back end and flattening the price curve.

In all the strategies and tactics of the climate wars, the most disturbing development is that the carbon pricing became roadkill. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

EPH's big-emitting German lignite power operations were given a lift on Tuesday as one of its mines resumed operations after six months of closure due to an environmental lawsuit.

WCI compliance entities grew their short positions on the secondary market ahead of the February auction, but traders are questioning whether that US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) data paints a complete picture of California carbon holdings.

President of farmers’ union says attacks on meat industry cause ‘enormous damage’

The National Farmers’ Union has criticised stars such as Joaquin Phoenix who use their celebrity to promote veganism, claiming the growth in meat-free living is fuelling a rise in mental health problems among British farmers.

Days after the Joker actor’s Oscars speech attacking the meat industry, the NFU president, Minette Batters, said farmers fearing the imminent loss of their livelihoods and family holdings were in a state of stress and anxiety.

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Protecting against coastal flooding, boosting recycling and ensuring water security are now high priority initiatives

Rising sea levels, water security and waste management are among the environmental challenges that Infrastructure Australia has, for the first time, elevated to the top tier of its priorities list.

In its latest list, to be released on Wednesday, Infrastructure Australia said it was elevating environmental concerns because climate change was altering the water cycle and was projected to cause sea level rises of 0.4 to 0.6 metres. It also cited a renewed focus on “resilience” in the face of natural disasters.

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EUA prices stabilised on Tuesday, pausing after the previous session's heavy falls on concerns that the Covid-19 coronavirus would spread worldwide.

Clean Energy Regulator sees positive outlook for renewables sector in post-RET era as it attempts to revive stalled Emissions Reduction Fund.

The post Regulator expects “second wave” of wind and solar projects if grid issues sorted appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator expects carbon credit issuances to grow nearly 11% this year and offset delivery to the Emissions Reduction Fund to increase by a fifth, while demand from Safeguard Mechanism entities is likely to drop further.

South Pole, a leading provider of global sustainability financing solutions and services, is looking for a German-speaking Consultant Climate Strategy (DACH). As a Consultant Climate Strategy you will focus on the delivery of high quality consultancy advice on climate change mitigation solutions to the corporate sector for international clients and be responsible for the management […]

Political interference in scientific research has been weaponised during the past decade, and we are all suffering the consequences

Policies matter. Good policies lead to good outcomes, while bad policies can lead to disaster. But what about where there is no policy, or a policy that is incohesive and incomplete? We only need to look at the state of science research policy in Australia to find out.

Scientific research in Australia has always suffered from political influence, because research in Australia is heavily dependent on federal government funding. But political interference in scientific research has been weaponised during the past decade of Coalition governments.

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APA Group is pleased to announce Hannah McCaughey has been appointed APA’s Group Executive Transformation and Technology.

The post APA Group appoints Hannah McCaughey Group Executive Transformation and Technology appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Network operator Spark says the energy transition is happening even without clear federal goals.

The post Renewable transition happening, despite lack of federal policy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Perhaps 2℃ doesn't sound like much, but if you look through history, 2℃ temperature changes have had huge effects on the planet and people. Alan N Williams, Associate Director/National Technical Leader-Aboriginal Heritage, EMM Consulting Pty Ltd, UNSW Chris Turney, Professor of Earth Science and Climate Change, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, UNSW Haidee Cadd, Research associate, UNSW James Shulmeister, Professor, The University of Queensland Michael Bird, JCU Distinguished Professor, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, James Cook University Zoë Thomas, ARC DECRA Fellow, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Premier says overhaul will ‘take responsibility for our waste’ and help fix longstanding problems

The Victorian government will double its $28m in grants for businesses to sort and process recycling as part of a $96.5m package to fix the state’s waste industry.

Another $30m will be opened up for grants for technology to create new products from recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, organics, electronic waste, concrete, brick and rubber.

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Queensland government barely scrapes a pass on renewables report card that says it is "not on track" to achieve their 50% by 2030 commitment.

The post Queensland not on target on renewable target, says advocacy group appeared first on RenewEconomy.