Environment
Energy rating report card urged for all Aussie homes
11 March
All Australian homes should receive a score out of 10 for energy efficiency before they can be sold or rented, experts say, as part of an expansion to a national assessment program. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, which is used to rate...[Read More]
Rice could be key ingredient to cutting steel emissions
11 March
Leftover rice could be the key ingredient to halving carbon emissions from iron and steel production, according to a trial led by Australian researchers. The CSIRO and Indian Institute of Science revealed the findings on Tuesday from tests in which...[Read More]
No ill winds blowing for renewables spending in budget
11 March
The federal climate minister has hit back at speculation there will be budget cuts to clean energy policies, comparing it to stripping funds from health or education. Chris Bowen dismissed reports of cuts to new clean energy funding in the federal...[Read More]
Climate wins eyed in diesel tax credit demise
11 March
Winding back the federal fuel tax credit scheme has attracted support from the independent body advising on climate change in the most populous state. NSW Net Zero Commissioner Katerina Kimmorley says electrification of the state’s mining sector...[Read More]
Compact homes unlocking cheaper, cleaner city living
5 March
In a time of climate change and strained housing affordability, sometimes it pays to think small. At just 50 square metres, the apartments and townhouses inside the Two Sisters development in North Melbourne are far smaller than the 236 sq m average...[Read More]
Investment vehicle races off with $34b renewables push
4 March
Blessed with wind and solar resources, renewable energy companies are clamouring to take part in the bounty of NSW amid a global oil crisis. More than 15 projects worth a total of $34.4 billion in potential investment are being looked over at the...[Read More]
More electric trucks, motorbikes to deliver carbon cuts
4 March
Australians can expect more of their letters and parcels to be delivered quietly in the coming years as Australia Post expands its fleet of electric vehicles. The company announced plans to increase the electric trucks and motorbikes in its network...[Read More]
New locations sought for Aussie beef due to China levy
4 March
Around 800 million burgers worth of Australian beef may need to be diverted into alternative markets, as China enforces import quotas limiting the amount of the red meat entering the country. Southeast Asian countries appear to be the best bet for...[Read More]
Agriculture hits $100b, but what goes up must come down
4 March
Strong demand for Australian beef and a record winter crop have pushed the agriculture sector’s value over $100 billion, but tricky trade and climate conditions mean the record peak will be short-lived. The gross value of agricultural production...[Read More]
Farmers promised going green won’t put them in the red
25 February
Embracing clean energy needn’t leave farmers out-of-pocket, guarantees the co-founder of an Australian solar and battery startup. Wei-Chi Lee still remembers a conversation he had with one farmer he contacted in the early phases of PHNXX’s...[Read More]
Big trucks and buses drive a heavy healthcare burden
25 February
Pollution from heavy vehicles is costing Australia more than $6.2 billion a year in premature deaths and serious medical conditions such as childhood asthma and strokes. Researchers from the University of Melbourne issued the warning on Monday in an...[Read More]
Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear
18 February
At launch, the Electric Car Discount was expected to help about 5000 Australians get behind the wheel of a quiet, low-emissions, battery-powered vehicle. The policy, introduced in 2022, removed the fringe benefits tax from some electric cars,...[Read More]
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
18 February
Forcing Australia’s biggest polluters to pay tax for their emissions may no longer be electoral kryptonite, polling indicates. The survey of 3000 Australian adults by Redbridge Group showed most regional and urban voters supported introducing a...[Read More]
Pump it up: former PM calls for action on hydropower
12 February
Australia will fall short of its energy and environmental targets if it fails to support more hydroelectricity projects, a former leader has warned. The International Hydropower Association, led by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, issued the...[Read More]
Aussie meat in high demand despite international beef
11 February
Australian beef continues to be in hot demand around the world despite trade barriers, as the government continues talks with China over its surprise import tariffs. China unveiled 55 per cent tariffs on beef imports over certain quotas for...[Read More]