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More than 200 species make their homes at America’s most diverse sanctuary, but construction through the reserve could begin in February

On any given day at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, visitors can to see more than 60 varieties of butterflies. In the spring and fall, monarchs and other species can blanket the center’s 100 acres of subtropical bushlands that extend from the visitor center to to the banks of the Rio Grande river, where their property, and US sovereignty, end.

“It’s like something from Fantasia,” said the center’s director, Marianna Wright. “When you walk you have to cover your mouth so you don’t suck in a butterfly.”

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UN secretary general tells climate negotiators in Poland that failure to make progress would be a desperate blow for the planet.

The average consumerist suburban lifestyle is unsustainable. But what if affluent suburbanites and battlers alike ditch the rat race and embrace economic 'degrowth'? Here's how it might unfold. Samuel Alexander, Research fellow, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne Brendan Gleeson, Director, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Department of Defence tenders for 1-1.5MW solar plus battery storage for Jindalee Transmitting Site north-east of Alice Springs, to "reduce reliance on fossil fuels."

The post Australia Defence taps solar, battery storage for NT base, in push away from fossil fuels appeared first on RenewEconomy.

There are a lot of similarities between the Texas and Australian grids, except for the fact that Texas did its network preparation properly, and Australia did not.

The post Network news: How Texas got its transmission needs right for wind and solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair and Deputy Chair.

The post Investor Group on Climate Change announces new Chair and Deputy Chair appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Snowy board gives tick of approval to Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme, but final call remains with government owner, and Coalition not saying if the project stacks up.

The post Snowy board gives a tick to Snowy 2.0, as NSW and Tasmania turn focus on pumped hydro appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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Coalition underwriting documents allow government to pick and choose its favoured projects and adjust the criteria to suit. Even emissions intensity may not be a factor.

The post Coalition frames underwriting tender to choose what it wants, including coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

APA Group Chairman Michael Fraser has today announced that APA’s long serving CEO and Managing Director Mick McCormack has advised the Board of his intention to retire from the role no later than 31 December 2019. 

The post Managing Director and CEO Mick McCormack to retire in 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Mark Butler says party will make decision on using carryover credits from the Kyoto protocol after Paris ‘rule book’ established

The shadow climate minister Mark Butler has not ruled out using carryover carbon credits from the Kyoto protocol to help Labor meet its more ambitious emissions reduction targets in the event it wins the next election.

Butler expressed reluctance about using accounting tricks as part of Labor’s climate policy arsenal, but told the ABC he would not make a decision about whether carryover credits were in or out until after the Paris rule book was established.

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The public consultation period for assessment for ongoing export accreditation will be open from 14 December 2018 until 31 January 2019.

The public consultation period for assessment for ongoing export accreditation will be open from 14 December 2018 until 31 January 2019.

Energy regulator waves away claims of market abuse by the big energy companies, but as it admits itself, it doesn't know what's going on because it is not allowed to look.

The post Why the energy regulator’s report into wholesale market prices is a joke appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Having become the closest-ever human-made object to our star, the Parker spacecraft returns returns its first data

EU and 27 countries vow to toughen commitments as environment minister’s address at COP24 UN climate change summit accused of flying in face of reality

Australia will not commit to larger carbon emissions reductions above its Paris agreement target, despite a coalition of former allies and Pacific neighbours urging greater cuts.

In Paris in 2015 Australia was a part of a bloc of countries called the “High Ambition Coalition”, which includes the UK, the EU, New Zealand, the Marshall Islands and Fiji. Australia is outside that bloc now.

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California reduced the invalidation period on more than 11.1 million existing credits, marking the second straight issuance with multi-million CCO-3 issuances, regulatory data shows.

European carbon prices rallied by nearly 10% on Wednesday ahead of the expiry of hundreds of millions of options contracts after market close.

If we’re to prevent global temperatures from rising to a level more than 1.5ºC (2.7ºF) above pre-industrial levels, we must dramatically improve the way we manage our forests, farms, and fields.

Snowy mountain winters are being squeezed into shorter periods, threatening water supplies and increasing wildfire risk.