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New IEA report warns there is no slow route to net zero emissions. Rather, the world needs to add 11,000GW of new renewables by 2030 and electrify everything.

The post “Electricity is the new oil:” IEA lays out new net zero roadmap for 2030 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Proposal to build Australia's first commercial scale LFP battery cathode facility at Middle Arm takes step forward, but concerns raised over Fortescue hydrogen plan after office closed.

The post Battery plant advances for Middle Arm, as questions raised over Fortescue hydrogen appeared first on RenewEconomy.

IEA’s Fatih Birol says uptake of solar power and EVs is in line with net zero goal but rich countries must hasten their broader plans

The prospects of the world staying within the 1.5C limit on global heating have brightened owing to the “staggering” growth of renewable energy and green investment in the past two years, the chief of the world’s energy watchdog has said.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, and the world’s foremost energy economist, said much more needed to be done but that the rapid uptake of solar power and electric vehicles were encouraging.

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Plans involve doubling use of such energy but not everybody wants to live near power lines

There are two big tensions in how, and how quickly, the UK gets to net zero. One was the main focus of Rishi Sunak’s speech last week in which the phasing out of sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles was delayed and gas boilers got a semi-reprieve. But the other aspect, only briefly referenced, deserves more attention: it is the reform of planning rules to allow the UK to build new electricity infrastructure, including hated pylons, at twice the pace we usually manage.

For a prime minister who says “consent” is “the only realistic path to net zero”, there is potential for more trouble. Net zero involves doubling the UK’s use of electricity, which plainly requires more kit, but not everybody wants to live near a new high-voltage transmission line suspended on 50-metre stilts. It is hard to see how the government’s target of decarbonising the power network by 2035 (a target that survived last week’s bonfire of deadlines) can be met without upsetting a few local interests.

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Governments need to separate climate from geopolitics so the transition to renewable energy can go much faster using tools the world already has, in order to keep on the narrowing path to curb global warming, according to the IEA in a report published Tuesday. 

Indonesian Prime Minister Joko Widodo launched the country’s national carbon exchange on Tuesday, as market observers say it will likely be primarily used by domestic players initially with several barriers to limit international interest for now.

The slow rollout of new wind, solar and storage has continued into the new financial year. But households are going all out for rooftop solar and heat pumps.

The post No new solar: Latest data shows new renewable projects at near standstill on the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Robert Habeck said supporters of climate action must have the most compelling arguments

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Germany’s vice-chancellor has called on supporters of environmental reforms to shed their reputation for “moral superiority” and focus on having “the better arguments” amid a backlash against climate policies across Europe.

Robert Habeck, the minister for economic affairs and climate action and a leading Green politician, said environmental parties had to push back against their instincts if they wanted their climate agenda to succeed in the long run.

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Project demonstrating how intelligent management of consumer resources can deliver cheaper and more reliable energy for all has won an industry award.

The post Project that calmed network fears about rooftop solar wins innovation award appeared first on RenewEconomy.

You might look at the task ahead of weaning ourselves off fossil fuels and despair. But we’ve changed energy sources many times before – and it’s never a straightforward process. Liz Conor, ARC Future Fellow, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Clean Energy Regulator says consumers looking to save money on energy but investment in large-scale wind and solar all but stalled

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Households are on track to add three gigawatts of rooftop solar capacity to the electricity grid this year but investment in large-scale wind and solar remains all but stalled, according to the Clean Energy Regulator.

The regulator said 1.4GW of capacity, from almost 160,000 rooftop systems, was added to the grid in the first half of 2023, which chief executive and chair David Parker said showed consumers were looking to save money on their energy usage while reducing their carbon footprint.

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To get things back on track, the emphasis needs to shift towards efficient project delivery rather than a sole focus on technological advancements.

The post Offshore wind: Perfect storm risks derailing UK’s main hope for a low-carbon future appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Whyalla, the South Australian steel town once said to be destined for wipe-out, stands at the forefront of a global renewable energy race.

The post Wind, solar and green hydrogen to save Whyalla from Coalition’s promised wipe-out appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

US farmers are implementing sustainable agricultural practices irrespective of monetary incentives, and are also voicing concerns about the burdens of participating in the voluntary carbon market (VCM), according to an academic study published Monday that pointed to a resulting absence of additionality from such soil carbon projects.

Volunteers have been collecting and sorting washed-up rubbish on the beach for years. Thanks to their efforts, we have data on whether container deposit schemes help the issue. Kay Critchell, Lecturer in Oceanography, Deakin University Michael Traurig, PhD Researcher, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Antarctic sea ice is now nearly 9% below norma. But the dramatic decline is not universal around the continent, which makes it difficult to predict the overall impact of climate change. Inga Smith, Associate Professor in Physics, University of Otago Andrew Pauling, Research Fellow in Physics, University of Otago Greg Leonard, Senior Lecturer in Surveying, University of Otago Maren Elisabeth Richter, Assistant Research Fellow, University of Otago Max Thomas, Senior Research Fellow, University of Otago Pat Langhorne, Professor Emerita in Physics, University of Otago Wolfgang Rack, Associate Professor for Remote Sensing and Glaciology, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

RGGI Allowance (RGA) values remained unchanged from their year-to-date highs over the past week, as market participants expressed mixed sentiments to the release of materials published in advance of the next Third Program Review meeting.

UK fuel-from-waste exporters have urged the government to ensure domestic incinerators pay a comparable carbon cost to the EU once the waste sectors become part of the two carbon markets.

A Toronto-based carbon financier and a US reforestation company announced Monday a second streaming agreement that will generate credits from a post-wildfire forest restoration project in California.