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Exclusive: New resources minister also says ‘the pathway from coal to renewables goes only through gas’

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The Albanese government could sign up to Joe Biden’s push to limit global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by the end of the decade, as part of efforts to signal Australia has turned a corner on climate ambition.

Australia’s resources minister, Madeleine King, confirmed the new government was considering signing the global pledge, but stressed no final decision would be taken without careful consultation.

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The UAE said on Wednesday it will host the 2023 UN climate talks at its state-of-the-art Expo City in Dubai - the second straight Middle East destination after this year's Egypt conference - with the Gulf nation aiming to boost its climate credentials by showcasing its clean energy initiatives.

Modelled findings in a report published Wednesday have found that by scaling wind and solar power even faster, fossil fuel consumption could be reduced by a significant proportion by 2030 at no additional cost relative to stated policies as well as the EU's proposed Fit for 55 climate package.

The International Energy Agency warns that Russia may stop supplying gas to Europe this winter.

Retired engineer’s efforts propel Stithians towards multimillion-pound project to link homes to underground low-carbon system

The environmental evangelising of a retired mechanical engineer, Brian Piper, is bringing a renewable energy revolution to the streets of a small Cornish village.

Until now, Stithians, which sits halfway between Redruth and Falmouth, was best known for its annual show, said to be the largest agricultural spectacle in Cornwall. But Piper is determined that in future the village will become known for its role in tackling climate change.

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Proposals – the first in 30 years to tackle catastrophic wildlife loss in Europe – include legally binding targets for land, rivers and sea

For the first time in 30 years, legislation has been put forward to address catastrophic wildlife loss in the EU. Legally binding targets for all member states to restore wildlife on land, rivers and the sea were announced today, alongside a crackdown on chemical pesticides.

In a boost for UN negotiations on halting and reversing biodiversity loss, targets released by the European Commission include reversing the decline of pollinator populations and restoring 20% of land and sea by 2030, with all ecosystems to be under restoration by 2050. The commission also proposed a target to cut the use of chemical pesticides in half by 2030 and eradicate their use near schools, hospitals and playgrounds.

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Brewer says wood- and plant-based design retains same ‘taste and fizziness’ as glass bottles

Carlsberg is to conduct its biggest trial of recyclable fibre beer bottles across Europe.

The bottles are made of a wood-based fibre shell and a plant-based polyethylene furanoate (PEF) polymer lining.

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Tiny self-propelled robo-fish can swim around, latch on to free-floating microplastics and fix itself if it gets damaged

Scientists have designed a tiny robot-fish that is programmed to remove microplastics from seas and oceans by swimming around and adsorbing them on its soft, flexible, self-healing body.

Microplastics are the billions of tiny plastic particles which fragment from the bigger plastic things used every day such as water bottles, car tyres and synthetic T-shirts. They are one of the 21st century’s biggest environmental problems because once they are dispersed into the environment through the breakdown of larger plastics they are very hard to get rid of, making their way into drinking water, produce, and food, harming the environment and animal and human health.

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EUA prices shrugged off one of the weakest daily auctions of the year to stand little unchanged at midday on Wednesday, as traders focused on the expiry of the June options contract and this afternoon's vote in the European Parliament on the EU ETS reform package.

Indonesian government and business figures have outlined the environmental and decarbonisation agendas they are seeking to pursue when hosting the concurrent G20 and B20 talks later this year.

A South Korean asset management company and a Seoul-based forest-focused intergovernmental organisation have announced plans to work together to identify and develop REDD+ projects across the IGO’s membership region.

Drastic die-back of milk parsley on Norfolk Broads threatens future of swallowtail

Britain’s largest butterfly may be at risk from fungal pathogens that have caused a drastic die-back of the rare plant on which its caterpillars feed.

The swallowtail is only found breeding at 16 sites in Britain, all on the Norfolk Broads where milk parsley grows.

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The European Parliament is to vote again on EU ETS reform on Wednesday, aiming to agree at the second attempt after a divisive first vote that saw line-by-line amendments rejected. 

A record level of clean energy spending will drive global energy investment up by 8% in 2022, but despite this impressive headline figure global policymakers should not allow energy security fears stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to derail the prospect of longer-term progress on the energy transition, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on Wednesday.

The Indonesian government and the World Bank are working on the details to secure carbon crediting eligibility for a large-scale mangrove conservation and restoration programme they say can generate some 30 million offsets over the next three decades.

At least 60 people have been killed and millions need help after floodwater submerged 80% of Sylhet district in what aid agencies say is the worst monsoon in 20 years

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A group of 73 institutional investors have outlined policy instruments it believes would incentivise a shift in demand away from high-emission production and consumption while delivering a just transition. 

New player emerges in Australia’s fledgling offshore wind industry with plans to deliver three large-scale floating offshore generation and storage projects.

The post Australian oil and gas veterans launch offshore wind start-up with 9GW-scale plans appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Federal energy minister Chris Bowen wants to accelerate capacity mechanism introduction, while seeking to allay fears it will just prop up coal.

The post Bowen presses ahead with capacity mechanism, plays down ‘coal keeper’ fears appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Who killed Enova Energy? A market designed for big fossil fuel companies, and by rule makers who don't understand that small can be beautiful.

The post Enova: How Australia’s best green retailer became victim of fossil fuel energy war appeared first on RenewEconomy.