Albanese government unveils renewable investment scheme to reach 2030 climate targets

The federal government is massively expanding a taxpayer-funded scheme to subsidise and underwrite new renewable energy projects, in an admission that Australia is not currently on track to reach its 2030 target for the power grid.

Elsewhere, Queensland authorities have blocked Clive Palmer’s plans to build a large coal-fired power station on an outback cattle property, citing climate impacts and rejecting his company’s claims it would be “carbon neutral”.

And at least 10 homes have been lost and sheds destroyed after a huge bushfire tore through a swathe of northern Perth suburbs overnight, forcing the WA Premier to return home early from a trade mission in China. 

Top stories:

Taxpayers to subsidise renewable energy projects as government concedes Australia set to miss targets
Within seven years, the government wants 82 per cent of Australia's power to come from renewable sources, including wind, solar, batteries and pumped hydro — up from about 35 per cent now.

Queensland rejects Clive Palmer’s bid to build ‘carbon neutral’ coal-fired power station
Palmer’s company, Waratah Coal, had argued it could use carbon credits, carbon offsets, carbon capture and storage technology and biomass to make the proposal “carbon neutral”.

Perth bushfire rages through northern suburbs with unconfirmed reports of homes lost in Tapping
More than 150 people spent the night at an evacuation centre, several firefighters have been injured and hundreds of homes are without power.

Pacific women are among the most vulnerable to extreme weather. These women are taking leadership to voice solutions
In a region susceptible to extreme weather, women are on the front line and are among the most vulnerable to changing weather patterns.

Earth was 2 degrees warmer than pre-industrial levels for two days. What does that mean?
Last week, the planet appeared to briefly breach a climate threshold set by world governments for the first time. Experts say it is just another sign of how much the planet is warming.

First Nations wisdom harnessed to protect environment
The number of Indigenous rangers is set to double by 2030 as part of federal government efforts to close the gap and centre First Nations knowledge in environmental protection.

Spike in koala deaths prompt call for better road design, lower speed limits in NSW
A coalition of koala conservation groups calls on NSW Roads Minister John Graham to take action after a spike in koala road deaths.