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New Zealand's first utility scale solar farm swings into production, while environmentalists succeed in blocking an even bigger project on the south island on the grounds of biodiversity.

The post New Zealand’s first utility-scale solar farm begins generating power appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A European-based biochar developer has completed a funding round with capital raised from both existing and new investors, to fund its transition from proof-of-concept to the building of commercial-scale facilities.

A European-based biochar developer has completed a funding round with capital raised from both existing and new investors, to fund its transition from proof-of-concept to the building of commercial-scale facilities.

Studies of cetaceans stranded in UK waters show high levels of toxins 20 years since global ban of most PCBs, say scientists

Nearly half of the whales and dolphins found in UK waters over the past five years contained harmful concentrations of toxic chemicals banned decades ago, an investigation has found.

Among orcas stranded in the UK, levels of PCBs, a group of highly dangerous and persistent chemicals that do not degrade easily, were 30 times the concentration at which the animals would begin to suffer health impacts, researchers said.

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Exclusive: Experts ‘alarmed’ after potentially toxic chemicals detected in sources at 17 of England’s 18 water firms

Potentially toxic “forever chemicals” have been detected in the drinking water sources at 17 of 18 England’s water companies, with 11,853 samples testing positive, something experts say they are “extremely alarmed” by.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a group of 10,000 or so human-made chemicals widely used in industrial processes, firefighting foams and consumer products – were found in samples of raw and treated water tested by water companies last year, according to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), the Guardian and Watershed Investigations has found.

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Carbon credits must be scrutinised – and none more so than credits for taking grazing animals off arid rangelands. David John Eldridge, Professor of Dryland Ecology, UNSW Sydney Andrew Macintosh, Professor and Director of Research, ANU Law School, Australian National University David Alan George, Adjunct Assoc. Professor - Australian Rivers Institute - Earth scientist, Griffith University Don Butler, Professor, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A Japanese peer-reviewed study has verified direct air capture (DAC) of carbon occurring in the chemical process for manufacturing concrete, which it said could be useful for the industrial sector or countries looking to offset their emissions.

Home energy efficiency assessor, Lucinda Flynn, explains why your reverse cycle air conditioner feels blowy, how to increase the energy rating on your home, and tips for retrofitting on a budget.

The post SwitchedOn Podcast: How a health check for your home can help upgrade its energy efficiency appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Broken Hill battery, testing grid forming inverters at the edge of Australia's sprawling grid, is about to begin its commissioning process.

The post Broken Hill battery makes first appearance in “most challenging” part of grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A financial conglomerate in Japan has decided to invest in Singapore-based carbon exchange Climate Impact X (CIX) to help scale the international carbon credit market in Asia, they announced Tuesday.

Synergy announces contractor to install and connect the 288 battery modules that will make up what will be - at least for a time - the biggest battery on the main W.A. grid.

The post Synergy awards construction contract for biggest battery on WA grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Mike Cannon-Brookes' Grok Ventures changes cap with a new logo (of a cap), and new focus on climate technologies and "lighthouse" investments that can make a difference.

The post Grok changes cap as it seeks “lighthouse” investments on climate and clean energy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The BBC finds that the UAE, hosts of the COP28 climate summit, are breaking their own ban on gas flaring.

"Community led:" Seven regional councils team with CopperString founder to add new north Queensland transmission link, gigawatts of solar and battery storage.

The post Regions lead plan for huge new transmission link and 4.2 GW of solar and storage appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

SuperPower Institute says Australia has little idea of the extent of its fossil fuel emissions and wants to create a state-of-the-art data network.

The post Australia in the dark on its own fossil fuel emissions, says Superpower Institute appeared first on RenewEconomy.

An academic discussion paper has questioned the veracity of the REDD+ carbon projects being developed in Papua New Guinea and argued regulations being introduced to manage them will do little to improve their governance.

A French start-up is ready to use an enzyme which can break down plastic on an industrial scale.

Gordon Brown leads those signing letter to Cop28 and G20 presidents calling for levy to help fill ‘loss and damage’ fund

The bumper revenues of oil-producing states should be subject to a $25bn levy to help pay for the impact of climate disasters on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, a group of former world leaders and leading economists has said.

Seventy international figures led by the former UK prime minister Gordon Brown signed a letter calling for the measure before a crucial UN climate summit, Cop28, that begins in Dubai on Thursday. The signatories include 25 former prime ministers or presidents.

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The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) issued new guidance for carbon credit-buying firms on Tuesday, lowering some of its thresholds and floating a new claim concept that would enable some carbon credits to be used to meet value chain emissions targets.