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Management of UK rail lines fails to take environmental best practice into account

An independent review into the scale of tree felling by Network Rail is calling for a complete cultural change by the company to focus on valuing nature and the environment.

The review, published on Wednesday, was sparked after Guardian articles highlighted a threat to millions of line-side trees from Network Rail’s approach to managing the environment around its tracks and the scale of tree felling taking place in nesting season.

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Greenpeace Energy, a German electric utility that runs independent of its titular founder, wants to buy out RWE’s lignite coal business and replace it with 8.2 GW worth of renewables by 2025.

The post Greenpeace Energy bids to buy German brown coal generators and replace with renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

A bipartisan group of US House representatives introduced a $15 carbon fee and dividend bill on Tuesday that could signal the onset of increased climate policy efforts in next year’s Congress.

Energy network businesses leading the way in improving customer outcomes were recognised last night at the Energy Networks Australia 2018 Annual Awards.

The post Innovation and engagement key to energy future appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Humpback whale and 27 pilot whales among those beached in Croajingolong national park

A humpback whale and 27 pilot whales have stranded themselves on a remote beach in a Victorian national park.

Most of the beached animals have died, according to authorities.

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The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) will alter its CO2 pricing approach to carbon-free resources on the margin in an effort to minimise emission leakage, according to a presentation.

Laminaria hyperborea forests soak up carbon and provide food and shelter for sea life

This week’s storms are washing up quantities of Laminaria hyperborea kelp on our shores. Removing the rotting and smelly stems, or stipes, can be a big task for local authorities.

This species of kelp, which has 3-metre leaves, among the most numerous of the seven that grow in British waters and form undersea forests, mainly on the west coast. It grows on rocky shores in water from a metre to 32 metres deep, wherever there is sufficient light. These forests soak up vast amounts of carbon and are good for stabilising the climate as well as providing food and a habitat for many sea creatures.

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Making the transition to a sustainable energy future also means ensuring that affected communities - such as Australia's coal workers - aren't left by the wayside. Franziska Mey, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Chris Briggs, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

EU carbon prices dipped on Tuesday, staying in a narrow range in a becalmed session that defied a rising energy complex.

Maryland’s Department of the Environmental held its final public hearing on Monday for the proposed RGGI Model Rule updates, and officials anticipate finalising them next month.

France on Tuesday confirmed plans to close two of its nuclear reactors in 2020 as part of a strategy that paces the country's atomic power phase-down through 2035 while hiking domestic carbon taxes.

EU carbon prices will rise by at least 60% to above €30 early next year as the onset of the MSR squeezes the market, analysts predict.

Rapid emissions turnaround needed to keep global warming at less than 2C, report suggests

Countries are failing to take the action needed to stave off the worst effects of climate change, a UN report has found, and the commitments made in the 2015 Paris agreement will not be met unless governments introduce additional measures as a matter of urgency.

New taxes on fossil fuels, investment in clean technology and much stronger government policies to bring down emissions are likely to be necessary. Governments must also stop subsidising fossil fuels, directly and indirectly, the UN said.

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We’d like to know if you changed your opinion on climate change and whether there was a moment that convinced you of its impact

This year has seen more than 200 natural disaster events take place across the world. In February, the Beast from the East swept across Europe bringing snow and strong winds causing the UK’s worst weather in years, and in November California experienced the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history.

With a UN agency predicting a 75-80% chance of a climate-warming El Niño event next year, which could bring global droughts and floods, “there is evidence that climate change is making the effects of El Niño more severe”.

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Global efforts to tackle climate are off track says the UN, as it sees a rise in CO2 after years of decline.

Countries are going even further off track towards limiting global warming to 2C as emissions began increasing in 2017, according to a UN report that found nations must triple emissions cuts pledged under the Paris Agreement to keep within the temperature limit.

More than half of countries use censorship, harassment or violence to repress public debate, warns a report

Nearly six in 10 countries are seriously restricting people’s freedoms, according to a new report that warns of a growing repression around the world.

According to the study, there is little or no space for activism in countries such as Eritrea and Syria, and also worrying signs in countries where democracy is considered well established, such as France, the US, Hungary and India.

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A giant rhino that may have been the origin of the unicorn myth survived until about 35,000 years ago.

Alinta launches "Australia first" geothermal heating and cooling technology – focused on new suburbs and the displacement of energy intensive reverse-cycle air-conditioning.

The post Alinta turns to geothermal for sustainable heating and cooling appeared first on RenewEconomy.