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Common eastern bumblebee queens’ ability while hibernating could help it endure flooding, scientists say

Bumblebees might be at home in town and country but now researchers have found at least one species that is even more adaptable: it can survive underwater.

Scientists have revealed queens of the common eastern bumblebee, a species widespread in eastern North America, can withstand submersion for up to a week when hibernating.

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Many non-EU countries lack resources to produce the biodiversity indicators required under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a survey by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has shown.

More wind means lower prices, but it is battery storage that will replace expensive generation such as gas.

The post Big batteries will undercut gas, but it’s hydro that might lose market share first appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Floods, cyclones, heat stress and predatory starfish contributing to impacts as fourth planet-wide bleaching event confirmed

The Great Barrier Reef is in the midst of what could be its worst summer on record with a widespread and extreme coral bleaching event coming on top of floods, two cyclones and outbreaks of coral-eating starfish, according to an official Australian government report.

The “summer snapshot” report released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science said: “Compared [with] previous summers, cumulative impacts have been much higher this summer and a widespread bleaching event is still unfolding.”

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Australia can achieve close to 100% renewables with the technologies of today. The challenge is how to fill the gap.

The post Australia can achieve close to 100 pct renewables with today’s technologies: Are we up for the challenge? appeared first on RenewEconomy.

One of the largest industrial ports in South Korea has teamed up with a California-based environmental organisation to drive down emissions in the international shipping sector.

Singapore and Australia plan a A$20 million ($12.85 mln) spend via the the Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) for maritime and port operations, the two said Wednesday.

One of a number of big battery projects facing long connection delays finally shows sign of life, as developers urge changes to the connection process.

The post Pioneering Broken Hill battery shows first signs of life after months of connection delays appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Analysts have once again cut their outlook for EU carbon prices, slashing their near-term forecasts by 10-15% on a mix of weak demand and ample supply.

Queensland government to design mandatory code of conduct for solar and wind developers setting rules of community engagement.

The post Community code of conduct to set “Australian-first” standards for wind and solar farm developers appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Wind farm receives what is hoped to be the final approval before kicking off construction in the third quarter on 2024.

The post Delburn wind farm edges closer to construction in Latrobe Valley pine plantation appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Andrew Forrest's Squadron Energy said to be seeking $1 billion in finance for new wind and battery project in north Queensland.

The post Forrest advances plans for another billion dollar wind and battery project in Queensland appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Annual demand for high quality carbon credits under the Science-based Target initiative’s (SBTi) proposed new Scope 3 emissions offsetting rules could reach 5.9 billion tonnes, according to analysts, despite the significant uncertainty caused by the backlash in the wake of the announced changes.

Finance ministries’ roles in developing a robust policy framework to provide necessary incentives for the private sector to support net zero transitions, coupled with low cost lending, will play a crucial role in assisting emerging nations’ climate goals, experts emphasised at a panel discussion Tuesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2024 budget, released Tuesday, sees an overdue reimbursement of C$2.5 billion ($1.8 bln) in carbon tax rebates to small businesses, delivery of prior announced investment tax credits by the end of 2024, and commits to exploring additional carbon contracts for difference (CCfDs).

Proposals for various forms of a US carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) are bringing together environmentally focused and economically inclined politicians from opposite sides of the political spectrum, offering a rare glimmer of hope for bipartisan agreement against an increasingly contentious climate-oriented global trade backdrop.

Verra released Tuesday what it called "minor" updates of its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), hoping for full approval under Phase 1 of the international aviation offsetting scheme CORSIA, as well as being eligible for the Core Carbon Principles (CCP) label.

A Brazilian state will receive funding from the country’s development bank that manages the Amazon Fund to address illegal deforestation and forest degradation, according to a press release.

A California low-carbon electrofuels (efuels) developer has agreed to purchase captured CO2 from a Texas energy firm to primarily produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the companies announced Wednesday.

The common triplefin is helping marine scientists understand the negative effects of ‘skyglow’ on coastal fish, which are already more exposed to microplastics, chemicals and noise pollution. Kathleen Laura Sterup, Postgraduate in Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Abigail M Smith, Professor of Marine Science, University of Otago Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.