The Canopy is a weekday morning email newsletter provided by the team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific files lawsuit against Woodside

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has filed a lawsuit against fossil fuel giant Woodside in the Federal Court of Australia. The case could see Woodside held to account for allegedly misleading and/or deceiving the Australian public about the enormous climate harm of its gas and oil projects. If successful, the Federal Court case could also improve transparency of disclosure, forcing fossil fuel companies to be up front about the scope and impact of their business plans.

Meanwhile, a COP28 deal that will push nations to "transition away" from fossil fuels has marked the first time that oil, coal and gas have been mentioned in COP agreements since the annual summits began almost 30 years ago. However the agreement doesn't go so far as to seek a "phase-out" of fossil fuels, which more than 100 nations such as small island states and European nations, had pleaded for.

And a report released by the Biodiversity Council has warned that the Australian government should ensure biodiversity offsets are only used as a last resort as part of its environmental law reforms. The Council also says these biodiversity offsets should only be allowed for ‘nature that can be replaced’, to stop them from being used for critically endangered wildlife.

Top stories:

Greenpeace Australia Pacific takes Woodside to court alleging misleading climate claims
Greenpeace Australia Pacific alleges that the fossil fuel giant has been misrepresenting its climate performance and plans. 

Delegates at UN climate talks agree to 'transition away' from planet-warming fossil fuels
UN climate negotiators have directed the world to transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels in a historic move, however the agreement didn’t go so far as to seek a "phase-out" of fossil fuels.

‘Stop the rapid loss of nature’: Labor warned to clamp down on biodiversity offsets in environment law overhaul
A report by the Biodiversity Council says that the Australian government should significantly constrain the use of biodiversity offsets under its environmental law reform agenda, and stop them being used for critically endangered wildlife.

Knitting Nannas claim partial victory in NSW anti-protest law challenge
A group of activist grandmothers has succeeded in invalidating parts of New South Wales legislation that criminalise protest activity near train stations and other public facilities.

Clean energy superpower status remains work in progress
Extra billions have been committed to "renewable superpower" status in a federal budget update as Australia tries to keep its climate commitments and control rising power bills.

Australia asked to double climate grants to vulnerable nations
The UN has asked Australia and other developed nations to double the money they provide towards helping vulnerable countries adapt to climate events.

Australia has an incredible Christmas beetle, but it's gone AWOL
As a tiny, iridescent group of beetles that turn up every year, Christmas beetles seem increasingly scarce. Now, there’s a nationwide science citizen project underway to find out why.

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