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In the latest Carbon Pulse Conversations podcast, we speak to Oslo-based carbon and power analyst Yan Qin from Refinitiv about the latest developments in preparing for China’s national emissions trading scheme and the outlook for getting that market up and running this year.

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has released draft regulations that would open for allowing companies with state-level carbon obligations to generate domestic offsets.

Thermal power output in China fell 7.5% YoY in March, failing to pick up as the country began emerging from its virus lockdown while the economy contracted in Q1 for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Leaders condemn backing of global sectors that disregard green economy goals

• Polluter bailouts and lobbying during Covid-19 pandemic

Polluting industries around the world are using the coronavirus pandemic to gain billions of dollars in bailouts and to weaken and delay environmental protections.

The moves by the fossil fuel, motor, aviation, farming, plastic and timber sectors are described as dangerous and irresponsible by senior figures. Environmental campaigners describe some participants in these industries as “coronavirus profiteers”.

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More than 5,000 solar households apply for battery subsidy in just five weeks, in a last-minute rush to access a $6000 discount via state government home storage scheme.

The post Thousands rush to S.A. home battery scheme before subsidy winds back appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Risen Energy’s 132 MWdc Merredin Solar Farm has completed all pre-commissioning testing on major plant and equipment and is now in the stages of starting the commissioning process.

The post Risen Energy’s Merredin Solar Farm is powering on appeared first on RenewEconomy.

"I arrived in Perth and bought a foam mattress for the back of my car – my bed for half of the trip. I stocked up on tinned food, and I headed north in search of these tiny eight-legged gems." Joseph Schubert, Entomology/Arachnology Registration Officer, Museums Victoria Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Operator of the 700MW Longview Power coal-fired power plant files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The post Longview coal plant, one of US newest, files for bankruptcy, again appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Smart Energy Council takes unprecedented step of cancelling 2020 conference and exhibition, turns focus to helping industry through global Covid-19 crisis.

The post SEC cancels flagship 2020 conference entirely, as Covid-19 reality bites appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Rystad says up to 3GW of new wind and solar projects may be delayed due to Covid-19 impacts on currency, debt and financing.

The post Covid-19 pandemic could delay up to 3GW of Australia wind and solar projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

There's little transparency or clarity about how much water states are allocated. This failure in communication and leadership across such a vital system must change. Daniel Connell, Research Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New analysis suggests the emissions intensity of Australian gas sector is worsening, raising new questions around its suitability as a transition fuel.

The post Gas industry’s emissions intensity is getting worse, new report finds appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia’s grid-scale battery market had a record year in 2019 and is expected to sail past 500MWh in 2020 and add at least double the amount of new capacity in the residential sector.

The post Australia’s big battery market set to add “at least” 500MWh in 2020 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Future of ARENA remains uncertain after energy minister chose to renew terms of exiting board for only three months.

The post ARENA future clouded as Taylor fudges on board appointments appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

The UK's first person in space has past experience of restricted movement and time away from family.

Scores of amateur writers describe the arrival of new season in fields and gardens

Some wrote in praise of the signs of spring glimpsed through windows or from balconies while others focused on the birds, the bees and the unfurling leaves spotted during outings for permitted exercise.

Scores of amateur authors have taken part in a spring nature diary project to document the early days of the new season, with most clearly taking solace and finding some hope in flora and fauna at this most challenging of times.

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The bottom fell out of the CORSIA international aviation offset market almost as soon as it began with the coronavirus fallout grounding airlines worldwide, yielding slim prospects for even limited test buying this year.

Major Virginia-based utility Dominion Energy has opened a RGGI Compliance Allowance Tracking System (COATS) account, enabling the company to purchase allowances at future auctions in the Northeast US ETS or take delivery from the secondary market.

California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices rose by nearly a dollar during the week as regulated parties were said to have ramped up their purchases, while RGGI allowances (RGAs) hit a one-month high on thinly traded volume.