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Britain is set to obtain more of its power from zero-carbon sources than from fossil fuels.

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

How one amputee is helping scientists improve the lives of other people who rely on prosthetic limbs.

Four California assemblymembers asked state regulator ARB this week to adopt the Tropical Forest Standard (TFS) for international sector-based offset programmes despite ongoing disagreement and environmental justice opposition to the proposal.

California Carbon Allowance (CCA) prices dropped significantly on the secondary market this week as aggressive sellers caused the first major retracement since this spring’s bull run began, while RGGI allowances (RGA) dipped slightly amid New Jersey finalising its regulations to join the nine-state ETS.

The New York legislature late Wednesday passed an omnibus climate bill that will see the Empire State make deep emission cuts through 2050 with the possible use of some in-state offsets, though environmental justice groups lamented compromises made regarding the allocation of green project revenues.

EU leaders failed to agree on setting a 2050 date for the bloc to reach net zero emissions late Thursday, as talks broke with four nations holding out.

Concern grow over ammonia particles from fertiliser and bioaerosol from intensive farms

We think of the countryside as being a place of fresh air. Each weekend thousands of us leave our cities to hike or cycle in rural areas or simply to enjoy time in nature. Increasing attention is being given, however, to air pollution from farming. Ammonia from fertiliser and slurry mixes with air pollution from cities, traffic and industry to add to the particle pollution that plagues many parts of the world. It is estimated that halving ammonia from farming could avoid about 52,000 premature deaths from air pollution across Europe each year and 3,000 in the UK.

Increasing attention is also being paid to bioaerosol from intensive farming. In animal houses these are tiny particles and dust from the animals themselves, their food, bedding and waste. They can also include fungi, bacteria and pollen. A recent review by Imperial College and Public Health England found evidence of respiratory problems in farm workers and raised concerns about exposure for people living close to intensive livestock farms, including some evidence of increased asthma in children. Bioaerosol concerns mean that composting facilities need to be at least 250 metres from UK homes and schools, but farms can be nearer and only require assessment if they are closer than 100 metres.

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You can barely communicate with your kids, but these creatures are sending complex interspecies instructions. Alyssa Weinstein, PhD Candidate, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Oregon Senate Republicans fled the state on Thursday in protest of a scheduled final vote of a WCI-modelled cap-and-trade bill, leaving Democrats without a quorum to conduct any business in the interim.

The Netherlands formally launched a bid for an EU-wide carbon tax on aviation on Thursday, stressing that it would take unilateral measures if the effort failed.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has appointed a new environment minister to replace Rod Phillips, who was shifted to the finance file in a major cabinet reshuffle on Thursday.

Could lab-grown meat and 3D-printed meals be on our dinner tables by 2050? Award-winning environmental journalist Amanda Little thinks it's highly likely.

MPs launch assembly plan but environmental activists say its conclusions must be binding

A citizens’ assembly on the climate emergency will take place this autumn to explore the fastest and fairest ways to end the UK’s carbon emissions.

Six House of Commons select committees announced the assembly on Thursday. It is the second of the three demands made by the Extinction Rebellion protest group to be addressed.

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Mass migration back to UK waylaid by stormy conditions and lack of nesting places

The number of swifts that returned to Britain from their wintering grounds in Africa this spring was the lowest since records began, with poor weather in the Mediterranean delaying their arrival by two weeks. Experts fear the recent wet weather will further hit their numbers. Swift numbers in Britain have fallen by more than 50% since 1995.

More than 100 walks, talks and visits to urban areas to witness the swift’s aerial “screaming parties” will be held this week to raise awareness of the plight of this unique migratory bird.

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Diplomats say deal unlikely in Brussels but summit may signal intent to move toward target

European leaders will spar at their latest summit over how to tackle the climate crisis, with Poland and the Czech Republic leading a minority action against a net-zero carbon emissions target for 2050.

Meeting in Brussels, European leaders will debate the EU’s role in tackling the unfolding climate emergency that threatens to significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat, poverty and destruction of wildlife around the world.

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A former senior Chinese government official has rubbished claims from the power sector that the country must build more coal-fired power plants to avoid power shortages.

**Following some reader suggestions, we’re trialling a new brief midday EU ETS market report.**

Latest Draft Standard for residential battery installations threatens same impact as scrapped “battery bunker” rule – blocking battery installations in, or on, homes.

The post Revised battery standards again risk “banning” home installs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is under pressure to explain whether he attempted to intervene in a decision effecting a company part-owned by his colleague, Energy Minister Angus Taylor.