Australia’s energy supply will be assured by a faster transition to renewables but the “safety net” capacity mechanism will not affect the emissions reduction target, the climate change minister says. The government will also push ahead on legislating its 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 target despite the opposition declaring it will not support it. Chris Bowen wants faster …

The conservation status of koalas has been downgraded to endangered with the NSW government acknowledging the beloved furry marsupial is at risk of becoming extinct. The status of koalas was changed to endangered on Friday following a final determination from the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee, which noted habitat loss had significantly affected lessened populations. In the last two decades …

Tens of thousands of climate activists have marched through the Scottish city hosting the UN climate summit, physically close to the global negotiators inside but separated by a vast gulf in expectations, with frustrated marchers increasingly dismissive of the climate talks and demanding immediate action instead to slow global warming. The mood at the protest in Glasgow on Saturday was …

On the day Australians gamble more than any other, the Prime Minister is having a punt, too. Australians have just dropped around $200 million in bets on which horse would take out the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. In the wee hours on the other side of the world, Scott Morrison set out his wager, an each-way bet that $20 billion …

The Global Methane Pledge, which was first announced in September, now includes half of the top 30 methane emitters accounting for two-thirds of the global economy, according to the official. Among the new signatories to be announced on Tuesday is Brazil – one of the world’s five biggest emitters of methane. China, Russia and India, also top-five methane emitters, have …

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken advantage of an opportunity to say ‘G’day Emmanuel’ to the French president and shake his hand. The pair crossed paths on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome for the first time since Australia outraged France by scrapping a $90 billion submarine deal. “I said g’day, I said g’day,” Mr Morrison told …

Matt Canavan’s attempt to force the government to release the modelling on its net-zero plan was a transparent attempt to further scorn the emissions cuts he abhors. The government’s refusal to do so, defying a Senate order, capped off another unedifying week for accountability and openness in government. The week-long charade of the Nationals’ ham-fisted negotiations over net zero was …

Energy crises in Europe and Asia are delivering windfall profits to Australian oil and gas producers, which are raking in up to $200 million for shipments of gas. Prices for natural gas have reached historic highs in recent weeks as surging demand for the fuel in the Northern Hemisphere collides with tight supplies to send the market soaring. The volatility …

Australia has garnered enough international support to defer for two years an attempt by the United Nations’ cultural organisation to downgrade the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage status because of damage caused by climate change. UNESCO had recommended that its World Heritage Committee add the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem off the northeast Australian coast to the World Heritage in Danger list, mainly …

Lismore City councillors have agreed to hand over council-owned land on the North Lismore plateau to its traditional owners. Mayor Vanessa Ekins moved the motion to transfer the 37 hectares,  which was supported by the majority of her fellow councillors. The land is valued at $5 million and includes an area of environmental conservation and an old quarry site. “Handing the …