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Exclusive: Quadrature Climate Foundation is run by billionaires whose fund has stakes worth $170m in fossil fuel firms

Some of the world’s best-known climate campaign groups have taken millions of pounds in donations from a foundation run by billionaire hedge fund bosses whose investment fund has invested in fossil fuel companies, the Guardian has learned.

Groups including the European Climate Foundation, the Carbon Tracker Initiative and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have taken millions of pounds in grants over the past two years from Quadrature Climate Foundation, according to filings with the Charity Commission. WWF told the Guardian on Tuesday it would investigate the donation.

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The parliamentary committee scrutinising Australia’s nature repair market (NRM) legislation has had its reporting date extended indefinitely, potentially delaying the passage of the bill in the Senate.

It takes just under a minute to make a single swift brick that could house generations of migratory birds. So why isn’t it compulsory to install them in the UK?

At first, it is hard to spot. A small hole in the eaves is often all that can be seen. It’s only on closer inspection that a hollow brick can be discerned, slotted neatly into a wall. Inside might be a pair of nesting swifts that have travelled thousands of miles from Africa to the UK.

At Manthorpe Building Products’ factory in Derbyshire, it takes just under a minute to produce a single swift brick that could provide a safe haven for generations of these migratory birds. Granules of recycled plastic are put into an injection moulding machine and, moments later, the separate parts of the brick come out, before a worker snaps them together.

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The best of this week’s wildlife photographs, including hungry gannets, spotted owlets and a baby mongoose

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A major Japanese bank has signed investment agreements with two global forest investment funds with the intention of earning voluntary carbon credits that it expects to over time become eligible for use towards the domestic obligations of its Japanese clients.

Pakistan’s environment ministry has teamed up with carbon standards body Verra to share knowledge and educate stakeholders on carbon markets, as the country aims to explore the potential in international voluntary markets.

Barnaby Joyce puts out call for anti-renewable and transmission line groups to potentially join a protest at Parliament House.

The post Barnaby Joyce rallies anti-renewable and transmission groups for mass protest appeared first on RenewEconomy.

NAO report raises concerns about lack of long-term planning after take-up remained flat from 2011 to 2019

A public spending watchdog has criticised the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs amid concerns about a lack of long-term planning to tackle waste and boost recycling.

A 56-page report, published by the National Audit Office (NAO), found that household recycling rates in England had stalled over the last decade.

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Review of research finds particularly clear evidence that LEZs in cities reduce heart and circulatory problems

An increasing number of research studies are showing that low emission zones (LEZs) improve health.

More than 320 zones are operating across the UK, Europe and notably in Tokyo, Japan. These reduce air pollution across an area by curbing the number of highly polluting vehicles, normally older diesels. Schemes, including London’s ultra-low emission zone, can improve air quality. This should lead to improved health, but does this actually happen?

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The company behind the new 12-hour battery to be trialled at Australia's biggest coal generator says the technology is key to fill in the gap for wind and solar.

The post The 12-hour battery technology that could help shove coal power out the door appeared first on RenewEconomy.

BlackRock’s Charlie Reid on the fund manager’s big plans for Australia, and Allegro’s Thomas Nann on the innovative 12-hour flow battery that Origin is trialling.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: BlackRock’s big play, and 12-hour batteries appeared first on RenewEconomy.

AGL faces heavy fines after regulator discovers that two of its coal generators did not deliver the grid stability services they were paid to do.

The post AGL coal plants in trouble for failing to do what it says on the box and stabilising grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The project will deliver 196 net zero-ready apartments in stage one, fully powered by renewables and fitted out with all-electric, "high-performing" appliances.

The post CEFC backs construction of two all-electric, renewable powered apartment buildings appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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

Genex Power secures $44.5m funding deal with J-Power to bring home flagship pumped hydro project and drive development of huge Bulli Creek battery.

The post Genex secures new finance to shore up pumped hydro and fund big battery plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The firm is struggling to stop climate misinformation spreading on its platform, BBC investigation finds.

A new study highlights the relative benefits and impacts of two major carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods - bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and afforestation and reforestation (AR) - on the carbon cycle and surface climate.

Users are being incorrectly shown forecasts in the single figures throughout the coming days.

BlackRock says it may expand Waratah Super Battery, and is also looking at offshore wind, small scale solar and storage, and more EV chargers in Australia.

The post World’s biggest asset manager eyes more batteries, offshore wind and small solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Scientists have developed a new technology that increases the accuracy of measuring methane emissions from rice paddy fields, in a breakthrough that could have important implications for the voluntary carbon market.