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Experts say even nations that got rich on fossil fuels are seeing the future is green

Norway’s $1tn oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is to plunge billions of dollars into wind and solar power projects. The decision follows Saudi Arabia’s oil fund selling off its last oil and gas assets.

Other national funds built up from oil profits are also thought to be ramping up their investments in renewables. The moves show that countries that got rich on fossil fuels are diversifying their investments and seeking future profits in the clean energy needed to combat climate change. Analysts say the investments are likely to power faster growth of green energy.

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Some developers are reviewing their policies after protests from environmentalists

A grassroots uprising is forcing builders and councils to remove netting over trees and hedgerows installed to prevent birds nesting and hindering their developments.

Environmentalists have condemned the practice and say it has exploded in scale this spring. The use of netting to prevent birds nesting in hedgerows and trees allows developers to get around the law that prevents the removal and damage of birds nests, and avoid delays to development caused by the nesting season.

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He taught himself to read from newspapers but went on to win a Nobel Prize.

The California tide soon washes away work by Andres Amador – but for the artist, that is part of the point

With a bundle of three-pronged tools and hand-assembled rakes cast over one shoulder, the artist Andres Amador quietly descends the steep, crumbling dunes arching over a San Francisco shoreline to the beach below.

Scanning the horizon, stopping every so often to smile and pick up smooth stones, he walks until it seems right – until he finds a wide enough stretch of wet sand to serve as his canvas. Soon, it will come to life, etched with the large-scale angles and arches that form his captivating, signature style of Earthscape art.

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The Queensland government has allocated A$1 million ($710,000) under its Land Restoration Fund to six pilot projects designed to help develop the Australian state’s carbon offset market.

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

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator would likely come under pressure to cancel Emission Reductions Fund contracts under a new government, as Labor’s climate policy would push up secondary market ACCU prices, a legal expert has warned.

Government forced to play down ‘split’ amid reports of Queensland MPs pressuring Coalition over key approvals for Carmichael coalmine

Labor has warned the government against making any major decisions on the Adani coalmine before the election, while Scott Morrison and his environment minister Melissa Price face internal pressure from some Queensland MPs to take action.

While playing down reports of a “split”, government MPs from Queensland, including James McGrath and Matt Canavan have kept up pressure inside Morrison’s office and the party room for key approvals for the Carmichael coalmine, including the ground water plan, to be signed off on as soon as possible.

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Government modelling for climate policy cuts assumes an electric vehicle uptake of 25-50% of new car sales by 2030

Modelling for the Morrison government’s climate policy assumes electric vehicles will make up between 25% and 50% of new car sales by 2030, a similar figure to the target set by the Labor party, which the Coalition criticised this week.

Labor’s climate spokesman, Mark Butler, said “it shows how out of touch the Liberals are even with their own department” when it comes to cutting carbon pollution from transport.

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Big Garden Birdwatch finds fall in long-tailed tits and wrens after ‘beast from the east’

Almost 1.2 million house sparrows were spotted in British gardens during this winter’s Big Garden Birdwatch but smaller garden birds appear to have suffered from the previous winter’s cold weather.

Long-tailed tits decreased by more than 27% and wrens by 17% in 2019 after bumper years in 2018, according to the RSPB survey. Populations of both species are thought to have been affected by last year’s “beast from the east”: small birds are more susceptible to extreme chilly spells.

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Deadly flash floods in Iran kill dozens, and cause destruction across the country.

Electric vehicles and V2G technology will play a key role in helping consumers use their solar and batteries to make their grids more resilient.

The post How sharing solar, batteries and EVs will make energy system more resilient appeared first on RenewEconomy.

CWP Renewables chair Alex Hewitt to discuss the need to accelerate policy, the wind, solar and battery project in NSW, and the giant Pilbara wind and solar plans.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: Pilbara wind and solar will be cheapest power in Asia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

One of the big policy debates around Australia’s energy markets is whether private or government ownership is best. Australia has a lot of both, and as far as we can tell both can be as bad – or in certain circumstances, as good – as the other. The latest news from Western Australia should disabuse...

The post State-owned generator accused of gouging consumers appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Neoen is taking its plans for a 900MW wind and battery storage project, proposed for construction in a west Victorian pine plantation, to local councils and communities.

The post Neoen proposes 900MW wind and battery hub in Victorian pine plantation appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The President needs to be reminded that wind power doesn't causes cancer, but coal power does.

The post US President Donald Trump says wind “noise” causes cancer appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Formerly our Chief Operating Officer, Mary takes on the CEO role after 17 years in senior consulting and leadership roles at Energetics. She is globally and locally recognised as an expert in climate risk and energy management strategies.

The post Energetics announces the appointment of Dr Mary Stewart as CEO appeared first on RenewEconomy.

ARENA commits $2.46m to test capability of behind-the-meter solar and storage to deliver energy and frequency control services to the grid. Another $10m goes to Melbourne VPP pioneer, GreenSync.

The post AEMO to trial using virtual power plants for frequency control appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Queensland’s Daintree region could soon host Australian-first solar to hydrogen microgrid, with federal funding tipped make the 100% renewable project shovel ready.

The post Daintree edges closer to Australia first renewable-only microgrid, with help from green hydrogen appeared first on RenewEconomy.

BYD unveils 3 new pure electric vehicles and 3 plug-in hybrids at its spring launch in Beijing.

The post China’s BYD rolls out six new electric vehicles appeared first on RenewEconomy.