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From deals on electric cars to investment in solar panels, there is room for all sides in the global green industrial revolution

Our polarised world is failing to tackle the climate crisis at the required speed. The only way to reverse this catastrophic situation is to get the three largest historical emitters – the US, Europe and China – to join forces, directly or indirectly, to accelerate the global shift to green energy.

After months of rising tensions, the possible visit to Washington of the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, later this month could pave the way for a highly anticipated but still unscheduled summit between presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, and kickstart a reset.

Simone Tagliapietra is a senior fellow at the Brussels-based thinktank Bruegel

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Permitted levels of PFAS should be lowered tenfold and national chemicals agency created, says Royal Society of Chemistry

Acceptable levels of “forever chemicals” in drinking water should be reduced tenfold and a new national chemicals agency created to protect public health, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has told the UK government.

The chartered body wants to see a reduction in the cap on levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tap water. PFAS are a family of about 10,000 widely used chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment. Some have been linked to cancers, liver and thyroid disease, immune and fertility problems, and developmental defects in unborn children.

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The country's space goals also include include plans for a space station by 2035.

NSW premier Chris Minns says ruling on electric vehicle charge is ‘complex’ as governments scramble to understand its impact

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A potential revenue hit worth “billions” has been flagged by the New South Wales government as a result of the high court ruling striking down Victoria’s electric vehicle tax, as state and territories scramble to understand its full impact.

On Wednesday a majority of the high court ruled Victoria’s road-user charge for EV drivers was unconstitutional because the states did not have the power to impose excise taxes on consumption.

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Bubble curtains are being rolled out at two US offshore wind projects to minimise noise impact on whales and other marine life.

The post “Bubble curtains” may help protect whales from noise of offshore wind construction appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The 180 MW Dulacca wind farm officially opened as state Labor government ramps up efforts to reach its renewable energy targets.

The post New 180MW wind farm officially opened in southern Queensland appeared first on RenewEconomy.

One of Australia's biggest super funds is prepared to plough up to $2 billion in small scale solar and batteries, a sector ignored by big investors.

The post Aware Super to plough up to $2 billion into small scale solar and battery projects appeared first on RenewEconomy.

One of Japan's largest banks has agreed to work with a domestic investor to foster sustainability-related business collaborations, including the creation of carbon credits under the country's bilateral Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).

Ecological overshoot is driven by human consumption and a belief in endless economic growth. Could the marketing and media industries that feed those habits also help change them? Mike Joy, Senior Researcher; Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Phoebe Barnard, Affiliate Full Professor, University of Washington; Research Associate, African Climate & Development Initiative and FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town; Founding CEO, Stable Planet Alliance, University of Washington Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Origin Energy says the timing of the closure of its Eraring coal power plant is still the subject of discussions with NSW Labor, amid ongoing delays to renewables progress.

The post Origin says Eraring delay still on the table, green transition not happening fast enough appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The government needs to expand subsidies for heat pumps, say its independent advisers on infrastructure.

Solar power generation varies greatly depending on the weather. A new study suggests in some parts of Australia, solar has a bright future. Shukla Poddar, Senior Research Fellow, School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A group of leading scientists have said the current levels of PFAS could be damaging to human health.

Regulator fines CS Energy for operating Callide C generator without approval when it blew up in May, 2021. The fine is less than the revenue from one hour's operation.

The post Callide coal generator was being operated without approval when it blew up in 2021 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The Manager, Carbon Markets, will support the Head of Carbon Markets to design and implement the Group’s carbon offset strategy as it works towards its 2030 interim targets and 2050 net zero target.

Court rules in favour of two drivers who argued that states do no have the power to impose such fees

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Victoria’s electric vehicle tax has been struck down by the high court in a landmark case likely to bar all state-level road user charges.

On Wednesday a majority of the high court ruled in favour of two electric car drivers who argued that the imposition of a tax by the Victorian government per kilometre ​driven was unconstitutional because the states do not have the power to impose such fees.

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A record number of firms have reported their progress on tackling climate change in 2023, with the US, China, Japan, the UK, and Germany leading the way as home to the highest number of disclosing companies, annual data published by a non-profit organisation revealed.

Advisers say government should cover cost of replacing gas boilers with pumps in more than 2m homes

More than 2 million low-income households should be given a free electric heat pump to replace their gas boiler if the UK hopes to meet its legally binding climate targets, according to the government’s advisers.

Britain’s official infrastructure tsars have called on the government to spend up to £4bn every year for the next 12 years to cover the full cost of heat pump installations, and support energy efficiency improvements, for 1.5 million households on lower incomes in England.

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Regulators must act now to stop repeat offenders from greenwashing and engaging in corrupt climate practices, according to a report published Wednesday by researchers, as they warn that a lack of integrity, including in voluntary carbon markets, is threatening progress on halting global warming.