Emissions from utes, SUVs blow out target

Carbon emissions from utes, large SUVs and light commercial vehicles are rising in Australia and are exceeding the industry's own emission reduction targets by a significant amount, according to a new report. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries blamed the country's lack of EVs and absence of a fuel efficiency standard.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer’s proposal to build the biggest thermal coal mine in Australia - which was the subject of a landmark court battle fought on climate change and human rights grounds - has been rejected, with Queensland’s environmental authority denying the project an environmental licence.

And Arctic scientists are set to start drilling to save samples of ancient ice for analysis before the frozen layers melt away due to climate change.

Top stories:

Utes and large SUVs are speeding past emission targets
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said a lack of large electric vehicles available in Australia, a shortage of batteries, and the absence of a national carbon emissions standard had contributed to rising pollution.

Clive Palmer’s giant thermal coal mine plan squashed
The Department of Environment and Science on Monday confirmed it had decided to reject Waratah Coal’s environmental authority application for the proposed Galilee Coal Mine.

Arctic scientists set to drill through layers of ancient ice before climate change causes it to melt away
Researchers are planning to extract ice from as far as 125 metres below the surface in Norway's Svalbard archipelago to analyse chemicals in deep ‘ice cores’.

Big polluters call for action on emissions amid plans for new fossil fuel projects
Some of Australia’s biggest polluters – including BHP, Rio Tinto and Woodside – say urgent action is needed from government, investors and business for Australia to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with its goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C. But the statement appears at odds with the plans of some of the companies that have backed it. Woodside wants to open several large gas and oil fields in Australia and overseas.

Safeguard Mechanism tips scales to East Timor on Sunrise project
Last week’s Labor-Greens deal requiring new gas projects to be net zero plus a raft of regulatory interventions will make it harder for Woodside to pipe gas from the Timor Sea to Darwin and bolsters Dili’s case to host the potential mega project, say analysts.

'A national treasure': Tributes flow for Indigenous leader Yunupingu
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leads the tributes for the Gumatj clan leader, remembering him as a man who "walked in two worlds with authority, power and grace".

Large silver mine approved for NSW despite residents’ fears
The Independent Planning Commission has approved a silver, zinc and lead mine in the Central West despite fears from nearby residents the project would harm their health and leave their village a ghost town.

Crippling shortage of gas no longer likely, says competition watchdog
Warnings about a gas shortage across Australia's eastern states have been scrapped after the competition watchdog said supplies would meet demand.

Snowy Hydro and contractor fined $30k over Kosciuszko National Park pollution
The EPA says the companies caused a two-kilometre sediment plume to appear in Yarrangobilly River.

UWA announce partnership to help restore Mid West kelp forests with Perth business Canopy Blue
It is hoped a partnership between the University of Western Australia and a seaweed cultivator company in Perth will help restore tens of thousands of hectares of kelp forests in the Mid West.

These five ozone-depleting CFCs have been increasing in the atmosphere
A recent increase in a number of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) poses a climate threat, scientists say.

CoreMarine spruiks Tasmania’s ‘massive’ potential for offshore wind developments
A Tasmanian pair behind one of the world’s leading offshore wind companies says the island state’s strong wind resources make it the best region in the country for development.

Major Mitchell’s pink cockatoo among new threatened species on growing national list
The Major Mitchell’s cockatoo has been added to the national threatened species list, with environmentalists using the occasion to highlight the need for urgent reform of environmental law.