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Available metrics to assess biodiversity may not be fit for purpose and risk embedding negative biases into investor decision-making, according to a new paper that proposed two “forward-looking” approaches for biodiversity-focused investment decisions.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has announced the winner of its 11th annual photography prize, which showcases the UK’s relationship with the sea. Ian Watkin’s surreal image of a fish embedded in a jellyfish beat more than 1,000 entries

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The party’s net zero divide was deeper than ever before Rishi Sunak’s speech – but will he be vindicated or vilified by voters?

The Tory party has long been divided on the environment. MPs in “red wall” seats tend to look at the costs associated with the transition to net zero and question the wisdom of a rush that could cost votes. But colleagues in southern seats often wear their environmental credentials proudly – and have been known to put the phrase “net zero champion” in their social media bios. This group see being green and proud as key to keeping swing voters from defecting to the Liberal Democrats or, worse, Labour.

Until recently, it’s the latter group that’s had the greater numbers. The supportive Conservative Environment Network has more than 100 members, while the sceptical Net Zero Scrutiny Group has about 20 public members. But after the Tories narrowly held on in the Uxbridge byelection thanks to a campaign against the expansion of Sadiq Khan’s ultra low emission zone, the mood has been changing. “A lot of MPs have become more sympathetic to the risk of the costs,” says a member of the 2015 intake. The tensions between the two Tory tribes have been on full display all summer as the party has had an open debate about how far green issues can be pushed for electoral advantage.

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Taiwan should finalise the rates for a proposed carbon levy scheme by the end of this year with a starting rate of more than $15 per tonne of CO2, as delaying further could make it harder for the island to meet its net zero goals, domestic environmental groups have urged.

An Australian paper has trialled the use of ‘soundscape analysis’ as a low-cost way to indicate farm dam health, with its authors saying it could be an innovative way to track and reward biodiversity change in Australia’s nature repair market.

The New Zealand government has announced it will begin charging an annual fee of NZ$30.25 ($17.90) per hectare on post-1989 forest land in the emissions trading scheme, as well as thrusting a litany of service fees on participants, sparking outrage from forestry groups.

A Tokyo-based offset project developer is planning to work with a smart agricultural solution provider to expand its credit-generating business in Japan, eyeing rice cultivation projects.

A Lords committee warns that the government risks missing housebuilding and environmental targets.

EU laws have banished plastics from French fast-food chains, but in New York I couldn’t escape throwaway culture

Though I grew up in the United States, I’ve spent the majority of my adult life in France – which means that every trip “back” across the Atlantic has become a moment of curiosity and culture shock. Most recently, the shock was over the sheer prevalence of plastics in American daily life.

In Paris, and elsewhere in Europe, plastics are clearly on their way out and paper is in. The standard takeaway cup in coffee shops, juice bars and cafes serving hipster smoothies is paper, and when there is a straw, it’s paper as well (or some other biodegradable non-plastic material). Delivery food orders arrive in paper cartons –some with a chic design touch that plastic could never replicate, unspooling like origami flowers to reveal the food within – in paper bags. Utensils, when requested, are wooden and wrapped in paper. And in grocery stores, bulk sections for pasta, nuts, dried fruit, cereals, rice and legumes are normal, as is putting those things (or your fruit and vegetables) in paper bags.

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Federal Court finds Pelican Point gas plant breached energy market rules during controversial South Australia blackouts – at the time pinned on renewables.

The post How South Australia’s biggest gas plant sat idle during summer blackouts appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The prime minister claims the changes will support "hard-pressed families" but opponents accuse him of "selling out".

Australia has opened consultation on a guarantee of origin scheme for clean hydrogen, as the nation has ambitious hydrogen plans for both a domestic and export industry, with its roadmap for development closing last month. 

The Varroa mite is here to stay. This will have wide-ranging impacts on beekeeping and the crops that rely on honey bee pollination in Australia. Cooper Schouten, Project Manager - Bees for Sustainable Livelihoods, Southern Cross University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Macquarie's Green Investment Group has teamed with a local developer to roll out 2.4GW of new onshore wind projects in Western Australia.

The post Macquarie bets big on WA wind, with new JV and 2.4GW pipeline of projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

We’ve wasted a lot of time delaying climate action. As the damage becomes ever clearer, it’s time to accelerate the transition. Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Ken Baldwin, Inaugural Director, ANU Grand Challenge, Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia Pacific, Australian National University Kylie Catchpole, Associate Professor of Solar Engineering, Australian National University Kylie Walker, Visiting Fellow, Australian National University Lachlan Blackhall, Entrepreneurial Fellow and Head, Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Bird lovers will see a very different pattern of species in the future, scientists warn.

A look into curtailment of wind and solar on Wednesday shows Australia's new record for renewables share on the grid could have been even higher.

The post AEMO celebrates new renewables record – but it could have been even higher appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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Potential investors in biodiversity credits must engage effectively with Indigenous peoples or risk sub-par returns, as the wider financial sector moves towards building nature into their decision-making, according to the co-lead of a UN finance initiative.

G20 scorecard says Australia also needs to close off "major loopholes" in emissions reduction policies and stop exporting emissions via coal.

The post Call to snuff out “dead end” coal, including mine approvals, exports and subsidies appeared first on RenewEconomy.