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The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox

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Below is a table of the closing prices, ranges and volumes for China's regional pilot carbon markets this week. All prices are in RMB, and volumes in tonnes of CO2e. Data sourced from local exchanges.

The decline in China's energy intensity continued to outpace national targets in Q1, with the shift towards a cleaner economy boosting domestic demand for gas and further cutting the country's GHG emissions, according figures published by China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday.

Bluebell woods, two giant tortoises and a golden jackal are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world

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Major study finds microplastics in soil across Switzerland and scientists warn urgent research is needed into impacts on food safety as other countries may be worse affected

Microplastic pollution contaminates soil across Switzerland, even in remote mountains, new research reveals. The scientists said the problem could be worse in other nations with poorer waste management and that research was urgently needed to see if microplastics get into food.

In the first major study of microplastics in soil, the researchers analysed soil samples from 29 river flood plains in nature reserves across Switzerland. They found microplastics, fragments under 5mm in size, in 90% of the soils. The scientists believe the particles are carried across the country by the wind.

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The world’s most widely used insecticides will be banned from all fields within six months, to protect both wild and honeybees that are vital to crop pollination

The European Union will ban the world’s most widely used insecticides from all fields due to the serious danger they pose to bees.

The ban on neonicotinoids, approved by member nations on Friday, is expected to come into force by the end of 2018 and will mean they can only be used in closed greenhouses.

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A scheme to rewild marshland east of Amsterdam has been savaged by an official report and sparked public protest after deer, horses and cattle died over the winter

It is known as the Dutch Serengeti, a bold project to rewild a vast tract of land east of Amsterdam. But a unique nature reserve where red deer, horses and cattle roam free on low-lying marsh reclaimed from the sea has been savaged by an official report after thousands of animals starved.

In a blow to the rewilding vision of renowned ecologists, a special committee has criticised the authorities for allowing populations of large herbivores to rise unchecked at Oostvaardersplassen, causing trees to die and wild bird populations to decline.

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The agreement was triggered by the Chinese ban on imported plastic waste but critics say it is too little too late

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The Turnbull government and states have agreed that all Australian packaging should be reusable, compostable or recyclable by 2025 at the latest, but face accusations they are not moving quickly enough to fix a recycling industry crisis triggered by a Chinese ban on imported plastic waste.

The 2025 target was the only specific goal set at a meeting of federal and state environment ministers in Melbourne on Friday. But there was broad agreement that governments would ensure the use of more recycled materials in building roads and other construction projects, and that work would be done to improve recycling capacity within Australia.

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Demand in China and Korea has led to thousands of dudleya being stolen from California as officials lament ‘plant poaching’

In China, they are prized for their chubby limbs and cute shapes. In Korea, they are a treasured hobby for housewives. But on the coastal cliffs of California, the dudleya succulent plants are vanishing, snatched up by international smugglers and shipped to an Asian middle-class market hungry for California native flora.

California department of fish and wildlife wardens have made five busts this year, involving more than 3,500 stolen plants, evidence that the succulent, a symbol of American hipster style, has gone global to grievous effect.

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Environment ministers from every level of government met today to tackle our mounting recycling problems.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year excludes a winning image for featuring a taxidermy specimen.

Controversial plans for an open-pit gold mine have split the French overseas territory in South America. Opponents warn of pollution and biodiversity loss, while local officials point to its potential economic benefits. But ultimately the decision will be made thousands of miles across the Atlantic

Through the window of the small propeller plane leaving the capital Cayenne, the jungle’s canopy stretches out as far as the eye can see.

More than 90% covered by luxuriant rainforest, French Guiana has little in common with mainland France bar the name.

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Home of the "crocodile hunter" to install biggest solar system at any Australian zoo, to save on electricity and spend more on conservation.

Abbeydale, South Yorkshire: Years ago, I stumbled across a large patch of the bone-white flowers. Could I find it again?

When our children were young, we’d take them on voyages of exploration to an extensive patch near our home of what is sometimes called the unofficial countryside, and by unofficial I mean of course forbidden. Trespassing wasn’t mentioned, but children know when parents are being shifty. The subterfuge only added to their excitement, and having to ford a river to reach this lost Eden was very heaven. One April we stumbled across a large patch of wood anemones that hardly anyone would ever see, treasure that could never be moved. So when this past winter suddenly gave way to blazing sunshine, I wondered: could I find it again?

Despite the sun, the moors were still heavy with rain, so the water flowed deep and fast. I threw my boots to the far bank and teetered across, immediately rewarded with a thick spread of ramsons, still fresh with dew. This is a plant almost designed to please children. It stinks and you can make up stories about the bears that grub for the bulbs, wild garlic’s Latin name being Allium ursinum. I stepped carefully, bathing in pungent draughts of scent, toes pushing into the warm earth.

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A 4.9MW solar farm has been connected to the grid in South Australia, signalling shift from large scale wind to large scale solar.

The puffer jacket has become an iconic staple of many people's winter wardrobe. Here are some ways to shop for yours in the most eco-friendly and ethical way. Alice Payne, Senior lecturer in Fashion, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

High voltage on local networks is frying appliances, and costing consumers billions of dollars. The media and the networks have sought to blame the issue on rooftop PV, but a new study suggests the networks are to blame.

Australia’s first lithium battery recycling plant officially anointed in Victoria, seeking to address Australia's appalling record on dealing with old batteries, and alleviating some concerns about impact of household storage.

Australia’s transport industry on cusp of “radical change,” says report – but could be a trillion-dollar train wreck if business, government don't get on board.

IKEA customers in France can now hire an electric vehicle from the store’s car park, to transport all of the Swedish furnishings, in car share deal with Renault.