BMW backs campaign to slash EV prices
Global automotive giant BMW has thrown its weight behind the European Union’s push for the Albanese government to cut the cost of high-end electric vehicles by slashing the luxury tax that applies to cars above $89,332. Earlier this month, Trade Minister Don Farrell said one of the EU’s key demands was the removal of the 33 per cent luxury car tax, which does not apply to other luxury imports. Removing it would save buyers tens of thousands of dollars on a range of vehicles.
Global Aquaculture at Significant Risk from Environmental Change
More than 90% of global "blue" food production, in both capture fisheries and aquaculture, faces substantial risks from environmental change, according to a new study published by Nature Sustainability. The authors behind the new paper highlight the impacts of 17 key stressors, including algal blooms, sea level rise, changing temperatures and pesticide exposure.
Global mining congress meets in Australia for the first time
The 26th World Mining Congress kicked off in Queensland yesterday afternoon. Delegates from 70 countries will meet and discuss the future of mining, including moon mining and the changing demand for minerals. This congress is the first of its kind to be held in Australia, having debuted in Poland in 1958, and continuing every two to three years since.
Solar funding deal for Canberra building complexes
Multi-unit apartments in Canberra will be eligible for shared rooftop solar installation thanks to a $3.6 million funding deal between the federal and ACT governments. Climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen announced the new package alongside ACT chief minister Andrew Barr on Monday.
Aston Martin to produce electric vehicles
Aston Martin has struck a deal with the US firm Lucid to start making “ultra-luxury high-performance electric vehicles” from 2025.
CSIRO makes soil information open to farmers
Soil data that used to take farmers six months to find will be available within just minutes. The CSIRO has revealed the Australian National Soil Information System, which brings together data from more than 300,000 sites to guide governments, industries and farmers so the valuable resource can be more sustainably managed.
Gippsland's Festival of Big Ideas brings together local thinkers
As the historic dairy farming and coal mining region of Gippsland transitions to a future of renewable energy, local industries and government agencies are searching for new ways of coping with immense industrial, social and environmental challenges.
Hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa
Leading United Nations agencies warn that millions of people in the greater Horn of Africa are trapped in a hunger and health crisis driven by overlapping disasters, including climate change and conflict.