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Australia should set up a $5-billion ($3.3 bln) fund dedicated to buying up land of high biodiversity value to ensure it meets its commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a green group-led initiative said Monday.

France will inject €1 billion into funding biodiversity protection and restoration next year as part of a 40-part national biodiversity strategy unveiled Monday.

United States projected to extract 12.9m barrels of crude oil as countries at Cop28 to push for agreed fossil fuels ‘phaseout’

The United States is poised to extract more oil and gas than ever before in 2023, a year that is certain to be the hottest ever recorded, providing a daunting backdrop to crucial United Nations climate talks that hold the hope of an agreement to end the era of fossil fuels.

The US’s status as the world’s leading oil and gas behemoth has only strengthened this year, even amid warnings from Joe Biden himself over the unfolding climate crisis, with the latest federal government forecast showing a record 12.9m barrels of crude oil, more than double what was produced a decade ago, will be extracted in 2023.

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The Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday introduced a three-month trial market maker scheme for its carbon trading platform as it is working with the government to boost liquidity in the J-Credit market.

Phrases such as ‘green economy’ turn voters off, it seems – and Labour has already reframed its language

• Roger Harrabin is a former BBC climate correspondent

As Cop28 approaches, the Swiss solar aviator and environmentalist Bertrand Piccard says he will be given a platform at the conference to argue that we need to rethink the words we use to discuss climate change. He says many climate terms can numb people with fear instead of inspiring them into action, and proposes new language that will reframe our situation as an opportunity, rather than a crisis.

Take the key phrase “green economy”: Piccard says this motivates environmentalists but repels those who discern an assault on their lifestyle or a rise in their bills. Why not, he says, rechristen it the “clean economy”, because no one likes “dirty”. Likewise “clean energy” instead of “green energy”. He has come up with an entire list of terms in common use that he believes need a rebrand.

Roger Harrabin is a fellow at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and a former BBC correspondent

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Investment manager owned by Australian super funds says it will spend $20 billion in the UK by 2027 on renewables and renewable infrastructure.

The post Australian investment manager to spend $20 billion on UK clean energy projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Inconsistent standards and unclear land tenure structures may add complexity to China's forest carbon market, affecting the quality of carbon projects and credits, according to a report released Monday by environmental group Greenpeace.

A termite-snatching drongo, cows wading through flood water and a coral glowing like a Christmas tree are among this year’s winners. From CIWEM and WaterBear, and presented by Nikon in association with MPB and supported by Arup, the 16th year of the contest showcases global environmental photography to inspire change and climate action. The six winners primarily come from climate-vulnerable countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Argentina

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The Australian government has launched a consultation on the model used to generate some Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), as the Clean Energy Regulator issued around 720,000 units in its latest update.

Five-year project to reduce environmental impact of industry has ‘all but failed’, report finds

British retailers and seafood companies have been accused of making misleading claims over “responsibly sourced” scampi or langoustines, according to campaigners, who say a five-year project to reduce the environmental impact of the £68m industry appears to be failing.

The companies, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, Young’s and Whitby Seafoods – the last of which is currently the largest supplier of breaded scampi to UK pubs, restaurants and fish and chip shops – are all part of a fishery improvement project (FIP) aimed at making the UK langoustine industry more sustainable.

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Leaked documents show how the COP28 host planned to use its role to strike fossil fuel business deals.

Police arrested 109 climate protesters taking part in a blockade at Newcastle port on Sunday, including Alan Stuart, a 97-year-old Uniting Church reverend. NSW police say protesters continued blocking the port beyond the 30-hour agreed deadline

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• Newcastle port: more than 100 arrested after climate protesters continue blockade past agreed deadline

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Australia's biggest gas projects have cost shareholders $US19bn and the methane emissions are on par with coal, studies show.

The post Case for gas as transition fuel falling apart on both economic and environmental costs appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A requirement for the proposed Robbins Island wind farm project to shut down for five months a year to protect critically endangered parrots has been overturned.

The post “A calamity:” Bob Brown angry after Robbins Island wind farm shut down order overturned appeared first on RenewEconomy.

With the support of the Greens, there’s a chance the ‘Restoring Our Rivers’ Bill will pass. Will it be enough to put the Murray-Darling Basin Plan back on track? Celine Steinfeld, Director, Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists & Adjunct Lecturer, UNSW Sydney Michael Vanderzee, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

AGL to spend $760 million this financial year keeping its two coal fired power generators online as part of a $1 billion upgrade and maintenance program.

The post AGL spending $760 million on coal generator upkeep, even as it adds new batteries appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Greenpeace-led research discussed in Canberra with independent Kate Chaney saying politicians need to understand ‘sheer scale’ of what is planned in WA

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Planned gas developments on Western Australia’s Burrup Hub led by Woodside Energy could result in twice as much greenhouse gas being emitted as any other Australian fossil fuel development up for approval, according to an analysis by environment groups.

The analysis led by Greenpeace estimated the Burrup Hub expansion could lead to 6.1bn tonnes of CO2 across the decades ahead if fully developed – roughly 13 times what Australia emits annually. Most of the emissions would be released when the gas was sold and burned overseas.

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Deal with Sunshine Hydro for innovative pumped hydro and green hydrogen hybrid project comes as more renewable companies and buyers look to work with First Nations businesses.

The post First Nations group gets option for 20pct stake in Sunshine Hydro’s flagship project appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Long term structural issues in New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme will see current market drivers becoming less able to control the scheme in the future, according to analysis.

State and federal energy ministers agree to develop a national roadmap for customer‑owned energy resources – from rooftop solar to electric vehicles. Is this a win?

The post Ministers put consumer energy on agenda. Is this a turning point or Groundhog Day? appeared first on RenewEconomy.