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The upcoming launch of EU ETS2 should improve the economics of installing heat pumps for households across Europe by increasing CO2 taxation on gas and levelling the playing field with the unit cost of electricity, according to a clean tech startup.

The EU is channeling an additional €2 billion of ETS revenues to decarbonise energy systems in nine EU member states, the Commission said on Wednesday, though some of that funding will go towards natural gas projects.

Germany became the first EU member state to involve itself in the European Hydrogen Bank’s ‘auctions-as-a-service’ scheme on Wednesday, adding money to top up existing ETS-sourced Innovation Fund grant funding, all of which will be allocated via a competitive bidding process to renewable hydrogen producers and awarded to those with the lowest subsidy needs.

Scotland has moved a step closer to introducing emissions levies on visiting cruise ships and large landowners as part of plans to meet its net zero target of 2045, although added a note of caution about assessing the impact of the measures.

Phenomenon whereby moisture condenses around particles of pollution was noticed near Heathrow in January

A rare phenomenon known as “industrial snowfall” appears to have occurred near Heathrow airport earlier this year, according to a study.

Satellite imagery shows three large, white bands on the ground in parts of Surrey despite relatively dry conditions in the area at the time. The snow, which was recorded on 23 January, was distributed near industrial facilities south-east of Heathrow airport.

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Indigenous campaigners, human rights defenders and climate activists say they are being silenced by fear of reprisals

Incidents of harassment, surveillance, threats and intimidation are creating a climate of fear at UN events including the recent Cop28 climate conference in Dubai, experts have said.

Indigenous campaigners, human rights defenders and environmental activists say they are increasingly afraid to speak out on urgent issues because of concerns about reprisals from governments or fossil fuel industries.

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A crude oil refinery in Finland will be gradually transformed into a renewables and circular solutions refining hub, according to plans announced on Wednesday that would eventually eliminate demand for EU ETS allowances at what is currently the nation's second-biggest emitter.

Tasmania wind farm dumps its original "bird radar" and upgrades it to a more sophisticated model after disappointing results in past year.

The post Tasmania wind farm ditches bird radar for new technology to avoid eagle collisions appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The UK government on Wednesday published updates on its plans for greenhouse gas removals and bioenergy with carbon capture, as part of the country’s measures to meet a legally-binding commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

CSIRO's GenCost report updated to include near term transmission costs for wind and solar, and finds that the case for nuclear has been blown out of the water by the collapse of US SMR project.

The post CSIRO says wind and solar much cheaper than nuclear, even with added integration costs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

European carbon made robust gains early in the session as energy prices rallied after Tuesday's sell-off, though EUA volume was light as the holiday slowdown began in earnest, while exchange data showed that investment funds had reduced their net short position last week for only the second time since mid-October.

MSCI ESG Research has launched a nature framework with a checklist  to help investors start identifying which metrics to consider, to incorporate biodiversity into the investment process.

The UK government intends to launch a new domestic carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) market by 2035, it announced on Wednesday, furthering support for the process towards its aim of storing 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 a year by 2030.

Six projects totalling more than 3.5GW of hydrogen electrolyser capacity shortlisted for Australia's Hydrogen Headstart program, but Fortescue projects a notable absentee.

The post Six of “world’s largest” green hydrogen projects shortlisted for headstart funding appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Indian government has released an updated carbon market regulations draft, making amendments to its existing rules to include voluntary carbon markets under the ambit.

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

The most comprehensive Australian carbon budget assessment completed to date shows the nation flip-flops from source to sink of carbon emissions, depending on the prevailing conditions. Yohanna Villalobos, Postdoctoral research fellow, Lund University Benjamin Smith, Director of Research, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Pep Canadell, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Environment; Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Peter Briggs, Scientific Programmer and Data Analyst, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A new carbon trading exchange is allegedly being launched in Argentina, according to multiple media sources, but one of the companies reported to be involved says it’s fake news.

California regulator ARB on Tuesday published a preliminary Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulatory proposal with amendments to the carbon intensity reduction benchmarks, exemption for intrastate fossil jet fuel, and phaseout pathways for avoided methane crediting featuring among other measures to tighten the programme.

Plans to build a new sub-sea transmission link between Tasmania and the mainland all but locked in after a revenue proposal for early works given green light by the regulator.

The post “Prudent and efficient:” Regulator gives green light to make Marinus Link a reality appeared first on RenewEconomy.