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Legal and green groups highlight harsh anti-protest laws amid claims of surveillance of conservationists

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A joint report by human rights bodies and environment groups has found activists are increasingly facing repression by Australian governments.

The report comes as the ABC publishes allegations VicForests carried out a campaign of surveillance against anti-logging protesters.

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Report shows raw sewage spillages into coastal swimming waters increased by more than 87% in 12 months

Water companies spilled raw sewage into coastal bathing waters used by holidaymakers and families 5,517 times in the last year, an increase of more than 87%, new data reveals.

The discharges, through storm overflows, went on to beaches that were supposed to be the cleanest and safest in England and Wales, used by children, tourists, surfers and swimmers.

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Badgers, buzzards, dolphins and bluebells were all targets in the pandemic-hit year, but convictions fell

Reports of wildlife crimes surged in the pandemic-hit year of 2020, including badger setts being bulldozed by builders and birds of prey being killed near grouse moors, according to a new report by wildlife charities.

The illegal taking of fish such as salmon from rivers and disturbance of seals and dolphins by people in boats also rose, the report found. Plants and fungi were also the targets of criminals, who snatched large numbers of mushrooms and bluebells to sell. At the same time, convictions for wildlife crime fell significantly.

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Australian solar and battery storage developer signs MoU to investigate the possibility of exporting green hydrogen through Port of Townsville.

The post Edify advances green hydrogen ambitions with Port of Townsville deal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Development of massive gigawatt-scale energy islands in the North Sea and Baltic Sea boosted by signing of two key transmission agreements.

The post Massive “energy islands” in North and Baltic Seas move step closer to reality appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Environment groups demand explanation from WA premier McGowan, after he suggested massive Scarborough gas project will be protected from legal action.

The post WA premier vows to protect Scarborough gas project as Morrison dances jig of joy appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Energy Estate, Elemental Group and BlueFloat Energy join forces to develop New Zealand's offshore wind industry, and projects in Australia.

The post New offshore wind consortium targets New Zealand and Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Landmark federal legislation that will allow offshore wind farms to be built in Australian waters for the first time has passed through the Senate.

The post “Game changer:” Senate clears way for offshore wind farms in Australian waters appeared first on RenewEconomy.

McGowan government to provide $117.5m to support new green hydrogen hubs to tap into burgeoning global market.

The post WA tips $118m into new green hydrogen hubs, wants Morrison to match funds appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Ben Bolot from ATCO on the role pumped hydro storage could play in a renewables dominated grid in Australia.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: The case for pumped hydro appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A new investor survey shows surging interest in low cost battery and solar technologies, but enthusiasm for hydrogen has tempered.

The post Investors shift focus to batteries and solar, but go cool on hydrogen appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Warning to ‘get your fertilizer now’ as farmers postpone nitrogen purchases, raising threat of rush on supplies before planting season

A global shortage of nitrogen fertilizer is driving prices to record levels, prompting North America’s farmers to delay purchases and raising the risk of a spring scramble to apply the crop nutrient before planting season.

Farmers apply nitrogen to boost yields of corn, canola and wheat, and higher fertilizer costs could translate into higher meat and bread prices.

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The company argues gas will do more than other sources of energy to help the world reach net zero – but it’s only comparing it with coal

• Temperature Check is a weekly column examining claims about climate change made by governments, politicians, business and in the media. See the latest column and follow the series here
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There’s little doubt greenhouse gas emissions from a new $16bn mega gas project off the Western Australia coast will be enormous after it drills into a vast new reservoir of fossil fuels.

But just how high will the emissions be from the Scarborough development – confirmed by Woodside and BHP this week?

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California doled out 1.7 mln compliance offsets this week while CCO prices receded from recent record highs.

The Air Quality Program (AQP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Clean Fuel Standard Pathway Specialist position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

California carbon allowance prices tumbled by as much as 14% after the oversubscribed Q4 Western Climate Initiative (WCI) auction cleared at a record but well below the secondary market.

Analysis: Less than 5% of the green power the supplier provided to homes was sourced directly from renewable energy projects last year

The collapse of Bulb Energy this week follows a steady decline in its promises to customers.

Britain’s fastest-growing energy supplier set itself apart as a challenger to legacy energy giants by claiming to offer better service and energy that was cheaper and greener. But was Bulb as green as it claimed to be?

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Members of the European Parliament put little pressure on the EU to raise its climate ambition further in a disjoined debate on Wednesday, with some lawmakers insisting China needs to do more to cut its emissions while others said the bloc must set a better example.

The Paris Agreement’s newly-established carbon market mechanism could take as long as three years to take shape, according to experts assessing the UN's pace after countries approved Article 6 rules governing future international carbon markets at the COP26 summit earlier this month.