Fuel efficiency standard needed to incentivise EVs

Some of Australia's most popular car brands have scored poor marks in a report ranking traditional automakers on their climate credentials and progress on delivering low-emission vehicles. Greenpeace Australia Pacific Campaigner Joe Rafalowicz said the report underlined the need for the government to introduce an ambitious fuel-efficiency standard that set a pollution cap on fleets and incentivised automakers to make and import low-emission cars.

Cheaper renewables are helping lower power prices by squeezing more expensive black coal to its smallest-ever share of the energy mix over the past three months, but the growing likelihood of a hot, dry summer has experts on edge for future price rises.

After this week's High Court ruling, Victorian plug-in hybrid and electric-vehicle owners could be waiting months to find out if they're going to be refunded for the unlawful road-user charge.

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Leaders and laggards ranked in electric vehicle race
The report, released by Greenpeace East Asia on Thursday, gave low scores to top-selling brands Toyota, Kia and Hyundai for their progress on measures such as electric car sales and commitments to phase out fossil fuel vehicles.

Renewables squeeze black coal to record low in electricity grid
But the rise of renewable energy is set to help ease the hip pocket pain by taking market share off black coal-fired power generation and contributing to lower wholesale power prices, which is what retail companies pay to electricity generators.

When will electric-car drivers in Victoria be refunded after road-user charge was defeated in the High Court?
Victorian owners of electric and plug-in hybrid cars have been asked to be patient as authorities work through this week's 393-page High Court judgement that ruled the charges were unconstitutional.

What Happens to Greenland if We Miss Climate Targets? You Likely Don't Want to Know
A team of researchers writing in the journal Nature have now published a study exploring these questions. In a nutshell, their work shows the worst case scenario of ice sheet collapse and consequent sea-level rise can be avoided – and even partly reversed – if we manage to reduce the global temperatures projected for after 2100.

Greta Thunberg charged over oil summit protest
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been charged with a public order offence after being arrested at a demonstration against an oil and gas industry conference in London.

Push for more workplace heat awareness ahead of El Niño summer
Outdoor workers could be at increased risk of heat-related illness, possibly even death, during this year's predicted hot and dry El Niño summer.

Harder to claim climate-friendly consumer credentials
An overhaul of a long-criticised federal program should mean businesses can no longer hoodwink consumers or offset their way out of climate action.

Santos ploughs ahead with Barossa despite drilling ban
Santos is pushing ahead with its contentious Barossa gas megaproject despite a court injunction banning the fossil fuel giant from drilling at the site.