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Argentina’s Gran Chaco forest is being razed for soya, ending up in Europe as animal feed, and on our plates. It’s the backbone of Argentina’s fragile economy, but has come at a price for the indigenous people who live there

The extent of the destruction is painful to see. Flying over the area around the El Corralito indigenous community in a single-propeller plane, only thin strips of green are left between vast fields of pale, newly uncovered earth, pencilled in with parallel white lines of the ashes of bulldozed trees.

Only a few years ago, this stretch of land in Argentina’s northern province of Salta was still forest – home to the Wichí people, and part of the gigantic Gran Chaco forest that spreads across northern Argentina and its neighbouring countries Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. Second only to the Amazon in South America for its size and biodiversity, the Gran Chaco covers 250,000 sq miles of dry forest, which is being cut down faster than scientists can study it.

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Participants in the South Korean carbon market expect volumes to pick up and prices to rise after the government on Friday finalised installation-level allocation for 2018.

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator issued 92,037 carbon credits to three projects this week, all of which are under contract with the government’s Emissions Reduction Fund.

The federal government and Coalition-led states on Friday voted down a push from state Labor governments to include a mechanism to cut carbon emissions as part of Australia’s new energy plan.

The shift to renewables by the giants of industry continues this week, with the news that Coca-Cola Amatil will install 3.5MW of solar, to cut its grid power usage in Australia by 14 per cent and its annual energy costs by up to $1.3 million. The 10,000-panel job, which will be managed by commercial solar...

The post Coca-Cola to add 3.5MW solar across Australian operations appeared first on RenewEconomy.

WA nickel miner claims "first" solar hybrid plant on an Australian mine primarily funded on commercial basis.

The post WA nickel miner to slash diesel bill with 7MW solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

By rebating the revenue to households, disposable income rises, which can be a boon for the Canadian economy

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Canada will implement a revenue-neutral carbon tax starting in 2019, fulfilling a campaign pledge he made in 2015.

Starting next spring, it’ll no longer be free to pollute in Canada. We’re putting a price on pollution in provinces that don’t yet have a plan to fight climate change. More on our plan to cut pollution, grow the economy & create jobs: https://t.co/VjCNOOKLVB
#EnvironmentEconomy pic.twitter.com/b4wFc17Qte

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Chargefox luanches first 350kW ultra-rapid EV charging station in Victoria. Here's what you need to know about Australia's first open fast-charge network.

The post Audi, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes sign up as Chargefox rolls out 350kW EV charger network appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Prototype of Tesla's all-electric SUV crossover, the Model Y, approved for production, but Elon Musk most excited by Tesla Ute.

The post Musk hypes Tesla ute, says Model Y coming 2020 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Third of coastline cannot be affordably protected, government climate change advisers say, with current plans ‘not fit for purpose’

Rising sea levels will claim homes, roads and fields around the coast of England, the government’s official advisers have warned, and many people are unaware of the risks they face.

The new report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said existing government plans to “hold the line” in many places – building defences to keep shores in their current position – were unaffordable for a third of the country’s coast. Instead, the CCC said, discussions about the “hard choices” needed must be started with communities that will have to move inland.

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The latest version of the Cold Hard Facts report into the refrigeration and air conditioning industry is now available.

The latest version of the Cold Hard Facts report into the refrigeration and air conditioning industry is now available.

Marine sponges are ancient organisms that have survived mass extinctions. Many are more tolerant of climate change and may dominate over corals in future reef systems. James Bell, Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Victoria University of Wellington Nicole Webster, Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Federal and state Coalition governments vote down proposal for COAG to consider emissions as part of energy policy.

The post Coalition votes down COAG push to keep climate on energy policy agenda appeared first on RenewEconomy.

University of Wollongong project to test a comparable, low-cost alternative to lithium-ion battery storage – sodium-ion battery packs – is underway.

The post Sodium-ion batteries to pump Bondi sewage in test of cheaper li-ion alternative appeared first on RenewEconomy.

September has been a record month for solar PV in Australia. Let's celebrate with seven facts – and two cool charts – to make your jaw drop.

The post Seven Australian solar facts to make your jaw drop appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Will the public-relations power of renewable hydrogen be harnessed by fossil-fuel interests only to maintain business-as-usual?

The post Beware fossil-gas suppliers bearing hydrogen gifts appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Spinifex grass is a (slightly ugly) Aussie battler that keeps on giving. Kristian Bell, PhD candidate, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A reminder for energy efficiency and social justice warriors and scribes: Entries close for the  $5000 Gill Owen Essay Prize on Friday 9th November 2018.

The post Two weeks to go: Gill Owen Essay Prize and $15,000 travelling scholarship appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Andrews Labor Government will force the big power companies to give Victorians a better deal on their power bills by legislating a new default offer that will cut the cost of energy for households across the state.

The post New Victorian energy default offer appeared first on RenewEconomy.