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It’s paper straws and compostable cups for the masses, space travel and $600m weddings for their overlords. No wonder everyone who can afford it wants a doomsday bunker

Jesus, if I remember correctly, usually travelled by donkey or by foot. Today’s corporate saviours, however, have more elevated tastes. Last week Starbucks made headlines after it was revealed its new CEO, Brian Niccol – who has been described as the “messiah” the ailing coffee company had been searching for – will be commuting to the office via private jet. Niccol, you see, is generously going to abide by the company’s policy of being in the office three days a week. But since he lives in California and the Starbucks HQ is more than 1,000 miles away in Seattle, a corporate jet is really the only way to go.

Did anyone at Starbucks sit down with a cup of coffee and ponder the optics of this before sealing the deal? Because the optics are terrible. Back in 2018 the company made a lot of noise about how it was getting rid of plastic straws and working towards a recyclable and compostable “cup solution”. What’s the point of that posturing if you’re then going to stick your CEO on an emission-spewing private jet a couple of times a week? As environmental groups and plenty of angry people on the internet have pointed out, this supercommute makes a mockery of Starbucks’ supposed “green agenda”.

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South Korea is seeking to provide preferential loans to companies that make preemptive investments in projects with great emissions reduction potential. 

A framework for coordinating research on nature positive action by businesses with four core components, in line with international targets, has been proposed by a group of UK academics.

A group of Japanese shipping majors have teamed up to conduct a joint study for liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers, in preparation for large-scale international transport of LCO2 by 2028.

A New Zealand public-private partnership has invested NZ$4 million ($2.4 mln) in a company looking to ramp up commercialisation work of a methane-inhibiting vaccine specifically suited to the country’s pastoral farming system.

BHP, the world’s biggest miner, has said it will not use carbon credits to meet its 2030 Scope 1 emissions reduction target, planning instead to achieve it through structural abatement, though its plans may change.

Australia's only domestic solar module maker has signed a deal to source its aluminium frames from a local manufacturer, with an eye to a giga-scale future.

The post Tindo taps local aluminium maker to frame its Australian made solar panels appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New research reveals how water containing the antidepressant Prozac affects male guppies, raising concerns about the health of aquatic ecosystems exposed to pharmaceutical pollution. Upama Aich, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University Bob Wong, Professor of Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology, Monash University Giovanni Polverino, Assistant Professor in behavioural ecology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

"We search the planet for places like this." Two regional Queensland cities have been hailed as the "solution" to Australia's renewable energy ambitions.

The post Two regional cities may be key to unlocking Australian renewable and green export future appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australian study of guppies shows that pharmaceutical pollution could threaten species’ long-term survival

Contamination of waterways with the antidepressant Prozac is disrupting fish bodies and behaviours in ways that could threaten their long-term survival, new research has found.

As global consumption of pharmaceuticals has increased, residues have entered rivers and streams via wastewater raising concerns about the effects on ecosystems and wildlife.

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Speaking during the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, the United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said fossil fuels must be phased out and all G20 countries must pursue a 'drastic reduction of emissions'. Asked whether he believes it is acceptable for a country like Australia to be continuing to approve new coal and gas projects, Guterres said the 'situation of different countries is different' but there should be no 'illusion'. 'Without a phase-out of fossil fuels in a fair and just way, there is no way we can keep the 1.5 degrees alive,' Guterres said in a reference to the Paris climate agreement goal of holding temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels

• Albanese government accused of trying to ‘bury bad news’ about health of Great Barrier Reef

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Victorian water utility says it has completed its transition to 100 per cent renewables, eight years after setting its target.

The post Water utility completes switch to 100 per cent renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.

WA's parliamentary inquiry into domestic gas supply has failed to look at solutions that could help manage its shortage problem and reduce emissions. 

The post WA fossil gas problem has a raft of solutions. Boosting its supply should not be one of them appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Big batteries projects are charging ahead beyond all expectations, helped by plunging costs. But where is the wind and solar, and what are the big utilities up to?

The post Big battery market charges beyond expectations, now the grid just needs more wind and solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

For decades, Victoria relied on its offshore gas riches. But the wells are running dry – and there’s no plans for more supply in Australia’s largest gas consuming state. Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Education campaigns to change human behaviour and relocation of problem reptiles are better ways of managing risk, researchers say

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Culling crocodiles is an ineffective and expensive way to reduce attacks on humans, new research has found.

Research published in the journal People and Nature found 91% of crocodile attack victims in the Northern Territory were locals, with human complacency and water-based activities contributing factors.

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Research shows wasps are active and useful predators of caterpillars on crop plants, but we need to know more about their full biocontrol potential. Jennifer Jandt, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, University of Otago Amy Toth, Professor & Chair, Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Iowa State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The whole of the cocoa fruit is used in production, rather than just the beans.

Recent research shows there is a $6.7 billion missed opportunity if newly electrified hot water systems aren’t used as a flexible resource.

The post SwitchedOn Podcast: Unlocking the power of hot water appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australian renewables gentailer Zen Energy signs PPA to buy the majority of the output of a hybrid solar and battery plant being built in New South Wales.

The post Zen inks deal to buy output from first solar and battery hybrid project in New South Wales appeared first on RenewEconomy.