Around The Web

We are currently seeking a Team Leader for our multidisciplinary Climate Policy and Energy Transformation Team of 10-15 experts, mostly based in Berlin, with some based in other countries/CA offices.

The Senior Director, Nature Based Climate Mitigation, will lead the strategic development of NCS science across the institution, working closely with a network of scientists and practitioners across CI Divisions and in collaboration with core external partners.

New Zealand carbon allowances rose to record highs for the sixth day in a row on Tuesday with market observers saying there is more upside, though volumes are falling sharply as supply remains short.

Rare coral has been found in a deep sea research mission off the west coast of Ireland.

South Korea’s cabinet on Tuesday approved two key climate plans that will set the nation on course to meet its 2030 Paris pledge but also allow a near-term rise in CO2 emissions from ETS companies.

Seismic testing plan would cause irreparable harm to Alaska national wildlife refuge, biologists say

The Trump administration has announced it is considering a proposal to conduct seismic testing for oil and gas in the Arctic national wildlife refuge, the largest such preserve in the US.

If the plan moves forward, vehicles with “shakers” – diesel-powered equipment that sends tremors through the landscape – will be deployed along Alaska’s northern coastal plain in an effort to map underground hydrocarbon deposits.

Continue reading...

"Decisions document" for National Energy Guarantee - circulated just a week after submissions closed - confirms worst fears of critics, but confirms the huge savings likely from new wind and solar projects.

Risen Energy insures its core competitiveness with mass production of the industry's first 370W bifacial PERC double glass module.

Former Irish president’s initiative kicks off with podcasts pairing her with comedian Maeve Higgins

Women around the world who are leading the fight against climate damage are to be highlighted by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and UN high commissioner, in the hopes of building a new global movement that will create “a feminist solution for climate change”.

Perhaps more revolutionary still, the new initiative is light-hearted in tone, optimistic in outlook and presents positive stories in what the originators hope will be seen as a fun way.

Continue reading...

Don't get too excited about the ACCC proposals on energy prices – the big players will be able to dance around them, precisely because of the huge power and protections offered them by the industry regulators, particularly around competition.

Committee says body that takes on environment oversight role needs powers to hold government to account

A new environmental watchdog with powers to hold the government to account must be set up after Brexit to ensure protections are kept in place, an influential group of MPs has said.

The environmental audit committee (EAC) on Tuesday also called for targets on air, water, soil, biodiversity and other issues to be legally binding and subject to five-yearly reports, in a similar way to the carbon budgets produced by the Committee on Climate Change under the 2008 Climate Change Act.

Continue reading...

Australia's first fully electric, zero emission delivery van is now available to freight and taxi operators, from local outfit SEA Electric.

The 87MW Beryl solar farm will provide all electricity offsets for north-west rail link in Sydney, and could add battery storage to further improve returns.

Japanese tech giant signs up to RE100, pledges to source 100% renewable electricity by 2050.

Any suggestion “clean coal” can deliver cheap reliable power should stand for what it is – a naked claim befitting an emperor with no clothes.

DB Cargo UK, which freights coal and petroleum, inks deal to power all its rail sites and offices with 100% renewable electricity.

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

A US federal judge has ruled that the EPA was wrong to refuse to relieve a West Virginia-based refiner of its Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance obligation, the latest instance of oil companies successfully receiving exemptions from the biofuels programme this year.

California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) prices could be strengthened further in the years ahead if the federal government revokes the state’s authority to regulate vehicle emissions, thus removing what is expected to be a major source of credit supply.

Representative Carlos Curbelo has proposed a tax on carbon dioxide emissions but Republicans are expected to block it

A Republican lawmaker has proposed the US introduce a tax on carbon dioxide emissions, in a departure from the party’s decade-long hostility toward any measure aimed at addressing climate change.

Carlos Curbelo of Florida, considered a moderate GOP member of Congress, said a carbon tax would avoid “saddling young Americans with a crushing environmental debt” and expressed his belief that “this bill or legislation similar to it” will become law one day.

Continue reading...