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Singapore outlines rules for corporate climate disclosures
South Korea weighs carbon contracts for differences
Scrap subsidies to Scotland’s conifer forests, urges report
Royal Society of Edinburgh says money should be spent on longer-living native forests with greater biodiversity benefits
A report has called on ministers to scrap the huge subsidies and tax breaks given to conifer forests because they do too little to combat the climate crisis.
The report from the Royal Society of Edinburgh said the tens of millions of pounds in subsidies given to the timber industry should instead be spent on longer-living native forests, which have greater and clearer climate and biodiversity benefits.
In Scotland, ministers have subsidised forestry by more than £390m over the last decade, with roughly 80% of that spent on commercial conifer plantations, as well as extra subsidies for haulage.
Timber companies and landowners pay no corporation tax on their income from forests; profits from timber sales are tax-free; there is no capital gains tax on the value of the trees, and 100% inheritance tax relief on the forestry property.
Forest owners were also able to sell carbon credits, adding to the attractiveness of forestry as an investment.
These grants, tax breaks and carbon credits had helped to substantially drive up land prices in Scotland, up by 73% in a single year, greatly distorting the land market and pricing people out.
Government agencies are not properly enforcing policies which require environmental impact assessments on new forest projects; their approach is “inadequate” and “passive”.
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Supermarket chickens found burnt by own excrement
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Forrest delays decision on Australia’s biggest hydrogen project, hires former gas man to lead renewables push
The post Forrest delays decision on Australia’s biggest hydrogen project, hires former gas man to lead renewables push appeared first on RenewEconomy.
South Australia hits new wind and solar record as it surges towards fast-tracked 100 pct renewable target
The post South Australia hits new wind and solar record as it surges towards fast-tracked 100 pct renewable target appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australia ACCU supply expected to triple to 2033, outlook says
Australian solar innovator 5B lands biggest module order, to be made in new India factory
The post Australian solar innovator 5B lands biggest module order, to be made in new India factory appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australia’s biggest battery developer plans to maintain lead despite fall in storage earnings, project delay
The post Australia’s biggest battery developer plans to maintain lead despite fall in storage earnings, project delay appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Asbestos: Rozelle parklands reopening delayed, with critics arguing extension shows EPA is a ‘toothless tiger’
Environment Protection Authority originally demanded asbestos be cleaned up by end of February but Transport for NSW granted extra month by watchdog
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The remediation and reopening of a major Sydney park where asbestos was found in mulch by a child in early January has been pushed back a month, sparking outrage from the local mayor and a state MP as more contamination is found across the city.
Transport for New South Wales on Thursday announced it had been granted an extension for the works at the Rozelle parklands by the state’s environmental watchdog due to the extent of the remediation needed.
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Solar Insiders Podcast: Solar tariffs slashed again
The post Solar Insiders Podcast: Solar tariffs slashed again appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Southwest Airlines invests $30 mln in SAF producer LanzaJet
How Australia’s newest big battery has cashed in on market volatility
The post How Australia’s newest big battery has cashed in on market volatility appeared first on RenewEconomy.