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Urine found to contain ‘significantly’ increased concentrations of glyphosate, which is associated with fetal problems

Pregnant women living near farm fields show “significantly” increased concentrations of glyphosate weedkiller in their urine during periods when farmers are spraying their fields with the herbicide, according to a new scientific paper published on Wednesday.

The research team said the findings were concerning, given recent studies that have found gestational exposure to glyphosate is associated with reduced fetal growth and other fetal problems. Glyphosate separately has been linked to cancer and other health problems.

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A Singapore-headquartered carbon exchange has teamed up with a project ratings agency to launch a new contract for the voluntary market that only includes credits from the highest-ranked projects.

Snowy Hydro's Hunter Power Project has kept a low profile compared to Snowy 2.0 – but it has a strikingly similar list of troubles sending it over budget and off schedule.

The post Another dud Snowy Hydro project, squandering over $1.5bn of taxpayers’ money appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Danish wind turbine manufacturing giant Vestas has received type certification for its 15MW offshore wind turbine, making the turbine ready for commercial use.

The post Vestas massive 15MW offshore wind turbine ready for service appeared first on RenewEconomy.

EnergyAustralia reveals updated plan for NSW pumped hydro project with key components hidden from view as it seeks to finalise several major battery projects.

The post EnergyAustralia hides pumped hydro from view as it seeks to lock in giant Victoria battery appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Nature, everyone agrees, is in trouble. But can Australia’s new market-based mechanism help? Patrick O'Connor, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

AGL signs deal with Australian start-up that says it can recycle batteries without creating a sludge known as "black mass"

The post AGL signs up battery recycling innovator that avoids “black mass” for Hunter hub appeared first on RenewEconomy.

COP28 host country the United Arab Emirates is "cautiously optimistic" on a deal to at least phase them out

The world is well off track to limit warming to 1.5C, but there have been some encouraging steps.

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Hot and wet weather, and the added complications of Covid and the Gaza conflict, have caused more delays for the return of the Callide C coal generator units.

The post Heat and rain delay return to service of Queensland’s busted coal plants appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Wednesday’s quarterly NZ ETS auction declined, completing a year of failed allowance sales – which will result in the entire year’s worth of auction volume being cancelled.

Humanity faces ‘devastating domino effects’ including mass displacement and financial ruin as planet warms

Many of the gravest threats to humanity are drawing closer, as carbon pollution heats the planet to ever more dangerous levels, scientists have warned.

Five important natural thresholds already risk being crossed, according to the Global Tipping Points report, and three more may be reached in the 2030s if the world heats 1.5C (2.7F) above pre-industrial temperatures.

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Analysis by more than 200 researchers from around the world, published on Wednesday, has warned of a series of potential negative tipping points for the climate while setting out opportunities to try to create positive tipping points, for instance by phasing out fossil fuels.

Least cost, cross-industry innovation, a favourable geologic landscape for carbon storage opportunities, and beneficial tax treatment make Alberta a hub for net zero industrial products, the provincial premier said at a panel discussion on Tuesday at COP28 in Dubai.

Producing corn ethanol emits GHGs and using a carbon capture plant at a biofuel facility doesn't result in a net-carbon removal, argued a climate modelling non-profit.

Albanese government announces at Cop28 it will phase out offshore support for coal, oil and gas within a year

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The Australian government has been praised for joining a global partnership committed to stopping billions of dollars in foreign aid and loans being spent on fossil fuel expansion, but the decision has also prompted renewed calls for it to reconsider polluting subsidies at home.

The Albanese government announced at the Cop28 climate summit that it had joined 40 other countries in signing up to the clean energy transition partnership, an agreement first reached in Glasgow two years ago.

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A Canadian fund to develop offset projects for the North American compliance and voluntary carbon markets has surpassed its initial fundraising target of C$115 million ($84.6 mln).

Market participants were divided over whether the December RGGI auction would clear above or below the Cost Containment Reserve (CCR) trigger price, but even participants who were expecting extra volume said it was unlikely to sell out.

A Dutch NGO has called for the abolishment of the voluntary carbon offset industry, highlighting what it sees as a myriad of fundamental flaws that go to straight the heart of the system.