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Reliance on desalination comes with a big environmental cost for the region’s marine environment

As the World Cup approaches, the host Qatar is going to need at least 10,000 litres of water every day for each of its stadium pitches. Based in a region with virtually no access to freshwater, it is going to rely on desalination – the practice of debrining saltwater so it is drinkable.

It seems like an elegant solution – but the problem is that desalination, which is projected to boom by 37% across the Gulf region in the next five years, has huge environmental costs, in terms of the fossils fuels used to carry out the process, and the marine environment. But without it, how can the region possibly quench its thirst?

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India will not impose a full ban on the export of carbon credits and expects “huge quantities” to be available for purchase by foreign investors, Energy Minister RK Singh has told reporters in New Delhi.

‘Screamingly high’ levels of PFOS, one of the most dangerous PFAS compounds, found in six out of 10 insecticides tested

Toxic PFAS chemicals have been detected in seven out of 10 insecticides tested in the US, according to new research. Six contained what the study’s lead author characterized as “screamingly high” levels of PFOS, one of the most dangerous PFAS compounds.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has known about the findings for more than 18 months but appears to have not yet investigated the products or taken any action against the manufacturer.

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A carbon advisory group believes fears that the Australian government will muck up its overhaul of the Safeguard Mechanism are overstated.  

Observers say cabinet rows and PM’s comments so far could undermine global consensus forged at Glasgow

The UK is in danger of ending its presidency of the UN climate talks next month in disunity and disarray, amid cabinet rifts on green policy, and confusion over who will attend the Cop27 summit.

Rows over climate policy threaten to hamper the UK’s ability to hold together the fragile coalition of developed and developing countries it built at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow last year. Failure to do so will not only cast a pall over the UK’s achievements there, but will add further tensions to already troubled global climate talks.

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Cemex, the world’s fifth-largest cement manufacturer, has been working with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to validate its 2030 climate targets and its 2050 net zero emissions roadmap to align with a 1.5C pathway, the Mexican-headquartered construction materials company announced.

The best of this week’s wildlife pictures, including a swimming sea cucumber, flying flamingoes and magpies hitching a ride

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We have green, cheap alternatives ready and waiting – but first we have to commit to keeping fossil fuels in the ground

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Hurricane Ian has just swept across the Caribbean and the US east coast. It’s likely to become the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history. The entirety of Cuba lost power for several days; homes have been flattened; and repairing the devastation could cost billions.

Hurricanes are a natural meteorological phenomenon, but one study has already found that the climate emergency directly added 10% more rainfall to Hurricane Ian. Arguably, we are already in the eye of an even bigger, global storm – and with every fraction of a degree of global heating, the damage escalates.

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Indonesia will cut its carbon emissions by more than 232 million tonnes of CO2e over the next three years, according to local media reports, while the finalised regulations governing its domestic carbon market scheme is expected to be released in time for COP27 and the G20 next month.

"Yet another poor decision," says Grok Ventures as AGL advises shareholders to vote against Kerry Scott and two other Grok board candidates at upcoming AGM.

The post Cannon-Brookes and AGL spar over board candidates ahead of AGM appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Demonstrations from Falmouth to Whitstable to demand water firms do more to reduce pollution

Protests against sewage discharges blighting English beaches will take place across the country this weekend to highlight what demonstrators say is the failure of water companies to reduce pollution.

From Falmouth in Cornwall, where bathers, lifeguards and synchronised swimmers are demonstrating, to Whitstable in Kent, where protesters will turn a beach into a crime scene, activists say the problem of sewage discharges by water companies has not improved.

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We must heed lessons from past storms and plan ahead, as climate change will only exacerbate future coastal disasters. Javier Leon, Senior lecturer, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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Proposed expansion would cover about 4,000 hectares and involve clearing of habitat for the koala, greater glider and other threatened species

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Activists say a proposal from BHP to extend a metallurgical coalmine in Queensland by up to 93 years is “delusional”.

The company has applied to expand its Peak Downs mine in the Bowen basin, which it operates in a joint venture with Mitsubishi.

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The company behind the world’s biggest solar and battery storage project has named tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes as its new chair.

The post Cannon-Brookes to chair Sun Cable, lead world’s biggest solar and battery project appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Clean Energy Investor Group says Energy Security Board's slow progress on electricity network transmission access reform is choking investment in renewables.

The post Investor group slams ESB as too slow on transmission access reform appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Iberdrola reveals early findings of investigation into a wind turbine collapse that caused the temporary shut down of the 89MW Walkaway wind farm.

The post WA wind turbine collapse linked to a crack in the steel tower appeared first on RenewEconomy.

New York-based crypto climate firm Flowcarbon will make its GNT token and other carbon credits available for trading on the recently launched Senken platform.

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Scientists, economists and activists met in September to discuss a challenge central to solving climate change: how can the world rid itself of fossil fuels? Here's what it found.

The post Is the world on track to move past coal, oil and gas production? appeared first on RenewEconomy.