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There was an exodus of climate experts from the White House after the 2016 election – but they still turn up to UN talks

In a hallway beneath the UN climate change headquarters in Bonn, Germany, Sue Biniaz leans on a table, scribbling some thoughts on a piece of paper.

It’s May 2018, three years after representatives from nearly 200 countries convened in France in an extraordinary display of international unity and agreed to keep global warming below 2C and to pursue a tougher target of 1.5C.

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European firms are making faster progress in refusing to insure polluting firms, says campaign group Unfriend Coal

UK and US insurers are lagging far behind European firms when it comes to divesting from coal-heavy businesses and refusing to insure them, campaigners have warned.

At least 19 major insurers holding more than $6tn in assets – a fifth of the industry’s global assets – have now divested from coal, according to a report from the Unfriend Coal campaign, which represents a coalition of a dozen environmental groups including Greenpeace, 350.org and the Sierra Club.

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Buybacks also recommended for those affected by PFAS contamination from defence bases across Australia

A group of MPs from across the political divide has urged the commonwealth to consider compensation and property buybacks for people affected by contamination from toxic firefighting chemicals which leached off defence bases and into soil and waterways across Australia.

On Monday a joint parliamentary committee, which for months has been investigating the defence department’s firefighting foam contamination scandal, handed down its long-awaited report, recommending the government “assist property owners and businesses in affected areas for demonstrated, quantifiable financial losses associated with PFAS contamination that has emanated from defence bases”.

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Indian mining firm Adani has announced scaled-down plans for its planned Queensland coal mine, which it will now fund itself. But there are still many questions hanging over the project. Samantha Hepburn, Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Law, Deakin Law School, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Jordi Casamitjana wants to have ethical veganism recognised as a philosophical belief, in a landmark legal action.

The Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury, is calling for at least four new members to join the ACT Climate Change Council.

The post Be part of the climate change solution— ACT Climate Change Council seeks new members appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Lacour Energy's secures environmental approval for 800MW Clarke Creek wind project that plans to integrate large-scale solar and storage.

The post Huge 800MW wind farm set for construction, with approval for solar and battery appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Following energisation in late 2017, the Project has undergone detailed commissioning processes that have allowed for the gradual ramp-up to full capacity.

The post Kidston Solar Project reaches Practical Completion appeared first on RenewEconomy.

As Australia notches up a new milestone of 2 million rooftop solar homes, new CEC data shows that the top 5 postcodes leading the rush to residential PV are all in Liberal National Party electorates.

The post Two million Australian households now have rooftop solar – and they vote appeared first on RenewEconomy.

It was clear at Transgrid's stakeholder presentation day that despite NSW's newly announced scheme, it is not doing nearly enough to prepare for the exit of most of its coal stations. It is talking the talk, but not walking the walk.

The post Why NSW may have to choose between football stadium and power stations appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The project, named Karadoc, became Australia’s fastest semi-scheduled solar farm to begin contributing power to the grid when it was first energised in mid-October.

The post BayWa r.e.’s 112MW solar farm achieves 100 per cent generation in Northern Victoria appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Indian mining giant Adani has announced  it will scale back its proposed Carmichael mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin, but begin construction 'imminently', using its own funds. But the company still faces numerous obstacles including groundwater approval and native title. Most of all, it has its eyes on the impending federal election and the uncertain position of a potential incoming Labor government on the mine. Ben Smee breaks down the state of play

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Mark Butler explains the details of Labor’s energy and climate policy, and how to reach 50% renewables and 45% emission reduction cuts by 2030.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: Mark Butler on Labor’s energy and climate policy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Mondo will provide the most comprehensive range of services and technology for essential infrastructure across the energy, water and transport sectors.

The post AusNet Services’ commercial energy businesses will, from December 3rd, be known as Mondo appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Carnegie says cost blowouts at its solar and battery hybrid projects the major cause of its problems as it seeks to return focus on wave energy developments.

The post Carnegie laments solar-battery blow-outs as it returns focus on wave energy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Almost 80% of Poland's electricity is generated by coal. Patryk Bialas says it's time that changed.

Big cuts in carbon emissions and a rise in protection from extreme weather urgently needed

The UN climate change summit begins on Monday with a warning that today’s generation is the last that can prevent catastrophic global warming, as well as the first to be suffering its impacts.

Almost 200 nations were set to meet in Poland for two weeks, aiming to hammer out a vital agreement to turn the carbon-cutting vision set in Paris in 2015 into reality. Moves to rapidly ramp up action would be another key goal, with current pledges leaving the world on track for a disastrous 3C of warming.

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United Kingdom-based renewable energy investment and asset management specialist Bluefield Partners has chosen Sydney for the headquarters of a new Australian subsidiary, Blueshore.

The post UK company chooses Sydney for Australian HQ appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Renewable energy-focussed Queenslanders will have all but exhausted the Palaszczuk Government’s solar-battery loan scheme within weeks.

The post Solar-battery dollars racing out the door appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Environment secretary launches consultation into ‘biodiversity net gain’ requirement

Developers could be obliged to enhance wildlife habitats when building houses or commercial property, under new government proposals.

A mandatory “biodiversity net gain” requirement could be put in place, meaning developers would have to leave habitats better off for wildlife than before any construction work.

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