Australia ranks last on climate as even biggest corporate polluters outstrip government commitments

As Coalition infighting on climate commitments rages on, a new report from the Climate Council has ranked Australia dead last when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and moving beyond fossil fuels. 

Mining giant Rio Tinto has unveiled plans for investments in wind and solar under its newly announced plans to spend $7.5 billion slashing its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by half by 2030. Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s REenergise Campaign Director Lindsay Soutar said Rio's announcement is a sign of progress, but the resources behemoth must go further.

The United Nations Environment Program has analysed government projections around the world and found that fossil fuels would be generated at a rate almost three times higher than what's needed to stop global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, despite climate targets being ramped up.

‘A joke if it wasn’t so serious’: Australia lags developed countries on climate action
No Australian federal government “policies or discourses” were found to be designed to help manage a wind-down of local fossil fuel production, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Program. Meanwhile, a separate Climate Council report reveals Australia has the worst track record on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and pledging to phase out fossil fuels of all developed countries.

Rio Tinto plans massive 7GW wind and solar for smelters and iron ore mines
Mining giant Rio Tinto has unveiled plans for investments in wind and solar under its new plans to spend $7.5 billion slashing its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by half by 2030. Greenpeace’s Lindsay Soutar said the biggest polluters in the country are now outstripping the Federal Government in their climate commitments.

Fossil fuel production to soar in face of emissions pledges, United Nations report says
Despite climate targets being ramped up, the United Nations Environment Program has analysed the projections of governments around the world and found that fossil fuels would be generated at a rate almost three times higher than what's needed to stop global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.

‘Protectionist forces’: Dan Tehan warns Australian farmers face carbon border taxes
Trade Minister Dan Tehan warns Australian farmers and miners will be slapped with carbon border taxes and local businesses may not be able to secure finance if Australia doesn’t commit to a net zero emissions target by 2050, as his Nationals colleagues debate whether to support the plan.

COP26 summit: Vladimir Putin withdraws from climate conference
Russian president Vladimir Putin has withdrawn from attending the climate change conference COP26, adding to the difficulties of world leaders to agree to any breakthrough initiative in Glasgow.

Mike Cannon-Brookes pledges $1.5b to climate initiatives ahead of COP26
Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and wife Annie have pledged to donate and invest $1.5 billion on climate projects by 2030 to reinforce the COP26 goal of spurring global action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

Empire Energy wins full approval for more fracking in Beetaloo Basin as climate advocates slam NT government
The gas company at the centre of a legal challenge to a multi-million-dollar subsidy program for fracking in the Beetaloo Basin has won full approval to start work, following its previous $21 million in federal government grants to speed up the development of the basin under the Coalition's "gas-led recovery" plan.