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We exploit around a third of wild animals for own own uses, putting almost half at risk of extinction.

First Bornean orangutan to be born at the zoo in 20 years welcomed, with species facing extinction in the wild

An orangutan has been born at Blackpool zoo as part of efforts to save the dwindling species.

The new arrival is the first Bornean orangutan to be born at the zoo in 20 years, making him a “very special baby”, zookeepers said.

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The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council has reached an agreement on the design of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), leaving everything set for the fund to be formally launched at the GEF Assembly in Canada in August.

PFAS was found in seven of eight samples bought at US stores, with organic kale containing higher levels of the toxic compounds

Seven out of eight US kale samples recently tested for toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” contained high levels of the compounds.

The testing looked at conventional and organic kale bought at grocery stores across the country, and comes after Food and Drug Administration analyses conducted between 2019 and 2021 found no PFAS contamination.

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Japan has made further adjustments to the rules of its national voluntary carbon credit programme to remove doubts over double claims, agreeing to subject it to corresponding adjustments in preparation for its participation in ICAO’s aviation offsetting scheme CORSIA.

A New York-based private equity firm wants to establish partnerships with carbon credit investors on financing climate projects in developing countries as it looks to increase its involvement in the voluntary carbon market, a senior member of the firm told Carbon Pulse at the sidelines of the Gold Standard conference in London earlier this week.

A handful of countries, including India and China, disproportionately contribute to global livestock emissions, and a shift in their investments can help reduce related emissions and allow food systems to adapt to climate extremes, according to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Exclusive: Quadrature Climate Foundation is run by billionaires whose fund has stakes worth $170m in fossil fuel firms

Some of the world’s best-known climate campaign groups have taken millions of pounds in donations from a foundation run by billionaire hedge fund bosses whose investment fund has invested in fossil fuel companies, the Guardian has learned.

Groups including the European Climate Foundation, the Carbon Tracker Initiative and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have taken millions of pounds in grants over the past two years from Quadrature Climate Foundation, according to filings with the Charity Commission. WWF told the Guardian on Tuesday it would investigate the donation.

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The parliamentary committee scrutinising Australia’s nature repair market (NRM) legislation has had its reporting date extended indefinitely, potentially delaying the passage of the bill in the Senate.

It takes just under a minute to make a single swift brick that could house generations of migratory birds. So why isn’t it compulsory to install them in the UK?

At first, it is hard to spot. A small hole in the eaves is often all that can be seen. It’s only on closer inspection that a hollow brick can be discerned, slotted neatly into a wall. Inside might be a pair of nesting swifts that have travelled thousands of miles from Africa to the UK.

At Manthorpe Building Products’ factory in Derbyshire, it takes just under a minute to produce a single swift brick that could provide a safe haven for generations of these migratory birds. Granules of recycled plastic are put into an injection moulding machine and, moments later, the separate parts of the brick come out, before a worker snaps them together.

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The best of this week’s wildlife photographs, including hungry gannets, spotted owlets and a baby mongoose

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A major Japanese bank has signed investment agreements with two global forest investment funds with the intention of earning voluntary carbon credits that it expects to over time become eligible for use towards the domestic obligations of its Japanese clients.

Pakistan’s environment ministry has teamed up with carbon standards body Verra to share knowledge and educate stakeholders on carbon markets, as the country aims to explore the potential in international voluntary markets.

Barnaby Joyce puts out call for anti-renewable and transmission line groups to potentially join a protest at Parliament House.

The post Barnaby Joyce rallies anti-renewable and transmission groups for mass protest appeared first on RenewEconomy.

NAO report raises concerns about lack of long-term planning after take-up remained flat from 2011 to 2019

A public spending watchdog has criticised the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs amid concerns about a lack of long-term planning to tackle waste and boost recycling.

A 56-page report, published by the National Audit Office (NAO), found that household recycling rates in England had stalled over the last decade.

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Review of research finds particularly clear evidence that LEZs in cities reduce heart and circulatory problems

An increasing number of research studies are showing that low emission zones (LEZs) improve health.

More than 320 zones are operating across the UK, Europe and notably in Tokyo, Japan. These reduce air pollution across an area by curbing the number of highly polluting vehicles, normally older diesels. Schemes, including London’s ultra-low emission zone, can improve air quality. This should lead to improved health, but does this actually happen?

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The company behind the new 12-hour battery to be trialled at Australia's biggest coal generator says the technology is key to fill in the gap for wind and solar.

The post The 12-hour battery technology that could help shove coal power out the door appeared first on RenewEconomy.

BlackRock’s Charlie Reid on the fund manager’s big plans for Australia, and Allegro’s Thomas Nann on the innovative 12-hour flow battery that Origin is trialling.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: BlackRock’s big play, and 12-hour batteries appeared first on RenewEconomy.

AGL faces heavy fines after regulator discovers that two of its coal generators did not deliver the grid stability services they were paid to do.

The post AGL coal plants in trouble for failing to do what it says on the box and stabilising grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The project will deliver 196 net zero-ready apartments in stage one, fully powered by renewables and fitted out with all-electric, "high-performing" appliances.

The post CEFC backs construction of two all-electric, renewable powered apartment buildings appeared first on RenewEconomy.