Fate of the living world will be decided at COP15, say scientists

The “fate of the entire living world” will be determined at the Cop15 UN biodiversity summit, according to leading scientists. They said the gathering of the world’s nations, which began on Wednesday in Montreal, is “vastly more important than Cop27”, the recent high-profile UN climate meeting. “We say this because of the many dimensions of anthropogenic global change … the most critical, complex and challenging is that of biodiversity loss,” the researchers said. Cop15 aims to ensure the protection of 30% of the planet by 2030, as well as the redirection of $500bn in agricultural subsidies that support the destruction of nature.

The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, will give the first insight into how the Albanese government plans to rewrite the national environment laws this morning as she makes a major announcement in Brisbane. Plibersek will respond to a review of national environment laws by the former consumer watchdog Graeme Samuel that was handed to the Morrison government two years ago. The Coalition never formally responded. The response will include what the government plans to do on introducing uniform national environmental standards to guide conservation protection and the assessment of major development proposals.

Australia must adopt a “wartime mobilisation” response to the climate emergency, former security leaders have told a review of the country’s defence policy. The Australian Security Leaders Climate Group is calling for “a fundamental reframing of Australia’s defence and security strategy” away from geopolitical rivalry. The group – whose members include the former Australian defence force chief Chris Barrie and former air force deputy chief John Blackburn – argues the country must push for unprecedented global cooperation on the climate crisis.

Fate of the living world’ will be decided at Cop15, say scientists
The “fate of the entire living world” will be determined at the Cop15 UN biodiversity summit, according to leading scientists. They said the gathering of the world’s nations, which began on Wednesday in Montreal, is “vastly more important than Cop27”, the recent high-profile UN climate meeting. “We say this because of the many dimensions of anthropogenic global change … the most critical, complex and challenging is that of biodiversity loss,” the researchers said. The current rapid loss of wildlife and natural places is seen as the start of a sixth mass extinction by many scientists and is destroying the life-support systems on which humanity depends for clean air, water and food. Protection of the natural world, such as rainforests, is also vital in ending the climate emergency.

Energy ministers meet for summit; Tanya Plibersek to outline new environment protection agency
The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, will give the first insight into how the Albanese government plans to rewrite the national environment laws this morning as she makes a major announcement in Brisbane. Plibersek will respond to a review of national environment laws by the former consumer watchdog Graeme Samuel that was handed to the Morrison government two years ago. The Coalition never formally responded.

Australia needs ‘wartime mobilisation’ response to the climate crisis, security leaders say
Australia must adopt a “wartime mobilisation” response to the climate emergency, former security leaders have told a review of the country’s defence policy. The Australian Security Leaders Climate Group is calling for “a fundamental reframing of Australia’s defence and security strategy” away from geopolitical rivalry. The group – whose members include the former Australian defence force chief Chris Barrie and former air force deputy chief John Blackburn – argues the country must push for unprecedented global cooperation on the climate crisis.

Australian energy ministers to agree on promoting battery uptake but views on price caps differ
Australia’s energy ministers are expected to sign off on a scheme to accelerate the take-up of giant batteries to support the decarbonisation of the grid when they gather in Brisbane on Thursday. However, the ministers are unlikely to hold lengthy discussions over any Albanese government proposal to impose price caps on coal and gas.

Country towns at 'greater risk' of running dry when drought returns despite recent floods
While eastern Australia's rivers flood and dams spill, experts say the risk of communities running dry in the next drought is greater than ever. The warning comes hot off the heels of the latest climate snapshot from the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology, which shows extreme weather events, including drought, are likely to get worse.

Why WA is gearing up to chase hydrogen riches
Hydrogen, hydrogen, hydrogen, why all the fuss? WA Premier Mark McGowan’s ministers, Australia’s biggest oil and gas company Woodside, and the nation’s richest hater of oil and gas companies – Andrew Forrest – all go on about it endlessly. Hydrogen is a wonderful fuel because it gives off water, not climate-warming carbon dioxide, when used. The trouble is it is now made almost exclusively from coal or natural gas in a process with enormous carbon emissions. All the excitement is about cleaner ways to make hydrogen.

How a lack of copper could slow the transition to renewable energy
Copper is an important part of the green energy transition. It's considered to be the most cost-effective conductive material. However renewable energy technologies require up to five times more copper than their non-renewable counterparts. According to a 2021 report by Goldman Sachs, by its lowest estimates, renewable energy sources – like wind, battery and solar – will drive copper demand up nearly 600 per cent, or 5.4 million megatonnes, by 2030.

NT chief minister says states, Commonwealth must help offset emissions to obtain Betaloo Basin gas
The federal government and states with gas shortages will have to work with the Northern Territory on offsetting emissions if new supplies from the Beetaloo Basin are to be unlocked, Territory Labor says. The comments from Chief Minister Natasha Fyles come as eastern states brace for more gas price hikes and the federal government finalises plans for an emergency price cap.

Calls for consumers to make eco-friendly Christmas tree choices this silly season
Before you spruce up your home with a new tree, sustainability experts are calling for bauble buffs to consider alternatives to plastic trees that are more environmentally friendly. Monash Sustainable Development Institute project manager Julie Boulton is urging Christmas revellers to ditch plans to buy a new plastic tree, to avoid perpetuating the demand for the products."The emissions that has been used to create that plastic Christmas tree in the first place, you'd need to keep it for 15 years to compensate."

A weakening La Niña could mean a typical Australian summer for the south-east
It's the news most of south-east Australia has been waiting for: the big wet could be coming to an end. After nearly three years of rain and flood events the ensemble of wet climate drivers, led by a triple La Niña, is rapidly breaking down. In other words, ocean and wind patterns surrounding Australia either have or are showing signs of returning to normal.