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South Australia government hails success of trials of first phase of Tesla virtual power plant, saying it resulted in lower prices and greater grid security. It now seems disposed to roll-out the full 250MW planned, as well as its own plans for battery storage grants.

From Darwin's potato to the man who saved the daffodil. Pictures tell the story of the nation's plants.

With more funding and product stewardship, the recycling crisis could turn into an opportunity

There’s nothing like a crisis to spur on the search for a solution.

Since January, when China stopped accepting our contaminated recycling, Australia has been struggling with a waste crisis. While some local councils have tried to adapt their processes, some have been stockpiling recycling while others are sending it straight to landfill. And there’s still no long-term solution in place.

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We may all love puppies and kittens and want them treated well, but what rights – if any – should a fish have, or a cockroach? Kumi Taguchi joins two vegans – a Buddhist veterinarian and an animal-loving Christian to find out how to love animals best in a meat-obsessed world.

The ship that has now going to be called the RRS David Attenborough slid into the River Mersey on Saturday, ahead of its official naming ceremony in November. 

The 92-year-old broadcaster described the decision to name the ship after him as the 'greatest of honours' and called it 'a key to the future salvage of our planet'

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Sir David Attenborough has launched the hull of the UK's newest polar ship, which is named after him.

Exclusive: Australia Institute modelling reveals the best way to protect coal jobs in other regions is to stop Galilee developments

Developing new coalmines in the Galilee Basin would cost 12,500 jobs in existing coalmining regions and replace only two in three workers, modelling by the Australia Institute shows.

Job creation has long been an aggressive rallying call for supporters of Adani’s Carmichael megamine and other proposals in the untapped Galilee Basin, which combined would produce 150m tonnes of thermal coal each year.

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Hull of research vessel officially known as RRS David Attenborough launches into the River Mersey

The vessel popularly known as Boaty McBoatface will make its debut on Saturday in Liverpool, where the hull will be launched into the River Mersey before shipbuilders get to work finishing the ship in wet basin.

RRS Sir David Attenborough – the boat was officially named after the naturalist after the internet poll’s top suggestion was rejected – will be used by the British Antarctic Survey for polar research from next year, when it is expected to be completed.

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Two PhD-qualified fisheries scientists have jumped ship to open a eco-friendly fish and chip shop, aiming to put their philosophy of sustainable ocean use into practise.

The TV naturalist is about to send a £200m research vessel named after him into the River Mersey.

Blockchain software brings efficiencies and savings from renewable energy infrastructure for property owners and consumers.

Snorting in horses is linked to a 'positive internal state', say scientists, and could improve animal welfare.

There's even space for a coffee shop, sauna and gym on the £200m vessel.

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

Restricting the use of carbon offsets in the post-2020 California carbon market may contribute to emitters' annual compliance costs rising by more than $50 million, according to a preliminary analysis from state regulator ARB.

Scientists declassify films showing atmospheric nuclear tests conducted during the Cold War.

Data from Nasa satellites has been matched with weather station information to reveal a chilly new low

Where is the coldest place on Earth? Antarctica; yes, but where exactly?

On 23 July 1983, the thermometer at the Vostok station, high on the East Antarctic plateau on recorded the lowest measured air temperature on Earth: a frigid -89.2C. But, in recent years, satellite data has revealed it can get even colder.

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We go underground to sing in the caves; Woodstock farewells its butcher; we take a walk through the 'lungs' of Pt Macquarie; and visit Daniel and Kim Croker on 'Fork it Farm'

The Inconvenience Store in Melbourne is providing fresh produce to people doing it tough

A man places his shopping bag on the counter filled with canned goods, fruit, vegetables and a loaf of bread. He passes it to a woman, who weighs the bag, while her colleague makes a note on a clipboard. Then they wish him luck.

“Come back soon,” 19-year-old Vincent Hui tells him. No money changes hands. Asked why he had come to the shop, the man tells Guardian Australia: “Some days are just tough.”

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The workspace company gave environmental reasons for banning meat from all budgets, including their upcoming festival

WeWork, the real estate company that rents out and manages office space, has announced that they will no longer hold any staff events that include meat, and that staff will not be able to expense any meals that include poultry, pork or red meat.

In an email to staff, WeWork co-founder Miguel McKelvey also said that WeWork’s upcoming Summer Camp event, a music and food festival which is only open to WeWork members, will not serve any meat options. Tickets to the event cost as much as $409 (£309) – a high price based, in part, on the free food available once on site.

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