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AEMC to fast-track assessment of new rules requiring energy regulators to undertake annual reviews of energy system security risks.

The post AEMC fast-tracks new rules for identifying electricity system risks appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Researchers counted particles in seaballs that washed up on beaches in Spain

Underwater seagrass in coastal areas appear to trap plastic pollution in natural bundles of fibre known as “Neptune balls”, researchers have found.

With no help from humans, the swaying plants – anchored to shallow seabeds – may collect nearly 900m plastic items in the Mediterranean alone every year, a study reported in the journal Scientific Reports said.

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ASX-listed Vulcan Energy Resources unveils pre-feasibility study for profitable, zero carbon, lithium plant in Germany

The post Australian company reveals ‘positive’ results for zero carbon lithium production appeared first on RenewEconomy.

NSW environment minister Matt Kean to declare ‘dinosaur trees’ an asset of international significance

The world’s only known natural stand of Wollemi pines has become the first site in New South Wales to be given special protected status to try to ensure its survival for future generations.

The environment minister, Matt Kean, will declare the so-called “dinosaur trees” an asset of intergenerational significance after heroic efforts by remote area firefighters in the Blue Mountains world heritage area saved the pines during the 2019-20 bushfire disaster.

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The Fund seeks to recruit a Board Affairs Consultant to fill emergency work requirements under the Board affairs pillar, including providing support to the Board Co-Chairs and secretariat services to the Climate Policy Committee.

In this role, you will support a team of experts actively engaged in analysis and influence of the UNFCCC negotiation process, linkages between the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and related projects.

2021 is well underway and is already on track to be another year of climate policy shenanigans - here's what to watch out for this year.

The post 2021 is here: what to watch out for in Australian climate and energy politics appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Pennsylvania holds the legal authority to join the RGGI cap-and-trade scheme, according to public comments, but regulators should take steps to increase the stringency of the programme to avoid adversely impacting the Northeast US carbon market and align with possible federal climate mandates.

2020 confirmed as another year ranking amongst the hottest on record. The urgency of reducing emissions only gets higher every day.

The post 2020 among the top three warmest years on record, along with 2016 and 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The first carbon credit standard in the Middle East aims to issue 10 million offsets this year from carbon-cutting projects, including units that other standards won’t touch.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) on Wednesday identified a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) as one of her priorities for the state’s 2021 legislative session, adding to the state’s roster of possible market-based climate policies.

RGGI Allowance (RGA) prices fell from all-time highs over the week while speculators opted to sell off positions amid limited compliance demand, as California Carbon Allowance (CCA) values rose slightly on the front end of the curve.

Quebec’s initial free allowance distribution for 2021 declined slightly from the previous year, with additional allocation due to industrial emitters by the end of 2022, according to data published by the province's environmental ministry.

For the past 50 years, international animal cognition research has focused on how tool use is related to animal intelligence. But new research casts doubt on long-held assumptions. Gisela Kaplan, Emeritus Professor in Animal Behaviour, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

EUA prices recovered from an early drop below €33 on Thursday, finding buyers near a key technical support as gas prices continued their retreat from lofty highs seen earlier in the week.

Emissions from global energy systems will peak in 2023, but the speed of decarbonisation remains off pace to put GHG output on a path in line with a temperature rise of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, according to a report released Thursday.

Due to different methods, US Noaa judged year as fractionally cooler than 2016 while UK Met Office put 2020 in close second place

Last year was by a narrow margin the hottest ever on record, according to Nasa, with the climate crisis stamping its mark on 2020 through soaring temperatures, enormous hurricanes and unprecedented wildfires.

The average global land and ocean temperature in 2020 was the highest ever measured, Nasa announced on Thursday, edging out the previous record set in 2016 by less than a tenth of a degree.

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Climate change: Cumbria coal mine "risks making Britain a laughing stock"

The US EPA this week will move to extend the 2019 and 2020 compliance deadlines for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as a result of an ongoing court case involving small refinery waivers and because the agency has not yet proposed blending quotas under the programme for this year.