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Ping An, one of the largest integrated financial groups in China, has launched its first ocean carbon sink index insurance policy in an initiative that will also help to protect marine ecological systems, the company has announced.

Puzzling government data on China's 2022 emissions and coal consumption could raise concerns as to whether the country is falling behind its near-term climate goals, according to an analysis published Wednesday.

Climate Council weighs in as debate intensifies over proposed safeguard mechanism reforms and the credibility of carbon offset schemes takes another big hit.

The post Carbon market confusion as offsets take another hit appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism Credit (SMCs) scheme may not work as intended with the current approach to setting baselines as it risks facilities having higher emissions caps than intended by the government, a corporate watchdog has warned.

Woods at Wembury will expand by 84 hectares with additional 90,000 trees along with hedgerows and banks full of wildlife

Within a few decades, if all goes well, swathes of oaks and other native British trees will tumble down the banks of the River Yealm in Devon and provide a home to owls, woodcocks, hares and butterflies as part of a new community woodland project.

There will also be an orchard planted in a place known to be favoured by bats and an area of wood pasture – a more open landscape of flower-rich meadows where animals can graze and shelter around trees and shrubs.

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Law comes into force in 30 countries in move campaigners hope will stop an estimated 1m waterbirds a year dying of lead poisoning

Shooting birds using lead shot will be banned in all wetlands in the European Union from this week.

The law will apply to all 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. An estimated one million waterbirds die of lead poisoning in the EU every year.

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Parks Victoria has taken samples for testing, with an expert suggesting the source could be avian botulism

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Testing is under way to determine what killed more than 350 birds at a nature reserve south-west of Bendigo.

More than 350 birds, mostly ducks, were found dead, and others injured and sick, between Thursday and Tuesday at Bells Swamp Nature Reserve.

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Iron ore billionaire Andrew Forrest is passionate about his companies' decarbonisation progress, and damning of those who are not "up to speed."

The post “If they don’t believe the science, they can fuck off:” Forrest backs coal and gas ban appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Integrated solar and battery project in South Australia has been designed to take advantage of both low power prices and new AEMC rules.

The post MPower ready to start work on integrated solar and battery project in South Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Virgin Orbit says a dislodged filter caused a rocket engine to overheat, leading to a malfunction.

Fortescue Metals commissions its first two big batteries at Pilbara iron ore operations, and begins construction of first 100MW solar farm.

The post Fortescue commissions first two big batteries, starts work on 100MW solar farm appeared first on RenewEconomy.

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FFI says it has produced "sizable volumes" of zero-carbon metallics from its iron ore, just this week. Just don't ask about the technology.

The post Fortescue reveals “major” green metals breakthrough in Western Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Neighbouring countries and local fishers express concern as 12th anniversary of nuclear disaster looms

Almost 12 years have passed since the strongest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history resulted in a tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people along its north-east coast.

As the country prepares to mark the 11 March anniversary, one of the disaster’s most troubling legacies is about to come into full view with the release of more than 1m tonnes of “treated” water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

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EU carbon prices will nearly double to €150 over the next 12 months and continue rising, an analyst has forecast, bucking the trend of bearish expert views to predict that near-term supply pressures won’t be as strong as anticipated.

Three scientists with expertise in tropical forest conservation spoke out at a webinar on Tuesday against last month’s media reports charging 94% of Verra’s REDD+ credits with no benefit to the climate, and noting that each project instead has complexities that make generalised criticism “irresponsible”.

A new report published on Wednesday found that 40% of the companies and financial institutions most at risk of driving the loss of tropical forests have not yet set a single deforestation policy or target.

Mettle of a big, iron-flow battery system as a potential long-duration energy storage solution to be tested.

The post New big battery in town as Australia tests biggest iron flow system outside US appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Offset standard developer and registry Verra announced on Tuesday a planned third quarter release of its new consolidated methodology for avoided deforestation, delaying the previously promised Q2 REDD methodology revamp after recent market focus on over-crediting claims in the sector.

Underground power lines are safer, more resilient and less of an eyesore. The higher upfront cost will pay off in long-term benefits. Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.