As the energy crisis deepens, fossil fuel producers are pocketing billions

As the Australian energy crisis deepens, fossil fuel exporters are pocketing billions on the export market, while a new Grattan Institute paper argues for stricter controls on the country’s biggest polluters.

Speaking of big polluters, AGL and other coal-burning fossils are tipped to come under even greater shareholder pressure to make the shift to renewables. The impact of last week’s Supreme Court ruling on the EPA, and the ramifications for Australia’s climate response is scrutinised by Alan Kohler.

And while we’re here, this will be your last Canopy for a couple of weeks - the Greenpeace Communications team is working on a number of big projects, so we’re pausing The Canopy for a little while. We’ll be back in your inboxes from 18 July.

Australia’s resources exports break records amid global energy crisis
Australia’s mining and energy exports are expected to have hit a record-high of more than $400 billion as the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine deepens global shortages of coal and natural gas and sends commodity prices soaring.

Power giants feel heat on coal closures, green energy plans
Australia’s coal-fired power generators, including AGL, will come under greater pressure from shareholders to set earlier closure dates, spend more on renewables and support affected communities after the market operator updated its assumptions on the pace of change sweeping the industry.

‘Industrial revolution’: Australia’s decarbonisation needs rigorous management, thinktank warns
Grattan Institute paper recommends allowing trading of carbon credits and a firm limit on emissions for country’s largest polluters

We need to speed up the shift to renewables. There are opportunities, and risks, for regional communities
For regional Australia, where much new energy infrastructure will be built, there’s great opportunity writes Andrew Bray.

Done right, network investment is an antidote to the ‘death spiral’
Decarbonisation-driven electrification of everything, including transport, mining and infrastructure, paired with network investment, will put our energy transformation back on track, writes EY partner Cara Graham.

Alan Kohler: Australia’s expensive climate change double whammy
Two documents were published last week that together present Australia with a horrible, very expensive problem.

Recognising Indigenous knowledges is not just culturally sound, it’s good science
It’s time to listen to First Nations people who have extensive knowledge of Country.