Greens gamble on safeguard mechanism

The Greens leader Adam Bandt says they will pass the Albanese government’s planned overhaul of the safeguard mechanism – a climate policy promised to cut industrial emissions – if Labor is prepared to stop new coal and gas projects. Greenpeace has identified problems with this proposed legislation change, with handouts to the fossil fuel industry being among them. 

Figures released to the Senate show The Australian War Memorial accepted over $830,000 in sponsorship and donations from arms manufacturers over the last three years. Historians, some veterans and retired memorial staff, including ex-directors, have long criticised the institution’s acceptance of money from arms manufacturers, saying a body designed to commemorate Australia’s war dead should not be funded by companies that profit from conflict.

Yesterday New Zealand’s climate change minister James Shaw made a furious speech, rebuking the NZ parliament for lost decades of “bickering” over the climate crisis. As Cyclone Gabrielle devastates the country, North Island has seen widespread flooding and enormous destruction, with hundreds forced to leave their homes and leaving 225,000 people without power.

Greens will back safeguard mechanism - if Labor bans new coal and gas projects
The Greens leader Adam Bandt says they will pass the Albanese government’s planned overhaul of the safeguard mechanism – a climate policy promised to cut industrial emissions – if Labor is prepared to stop new coal and gas projects. Greenpeace has identified problems with this proposed legislation change, with handouts to the fossil fuel industry being among them. Read more about Greenpeace’s stance on the safeguard mechanism.

Australian War Memorial sponsored by weapons manufacturers
Figures released to the Senate show The Australian War Memorial accepted over $830,000 in sponsorship and donations from arms manufacturers over the last three years. Historians, some veterans and retired memorial staff, including ex-directors, have long criticised the institution’s acceptance of money from arms manufacturers, saying a body designed to commemorate Australia’s war dead should not be funded by companies that profit from conflict.

NZ Climate minister rebukes government for climate ‘bickering’
New Zealand’s climate change minister James Shaw has made a furious speech rebuking the NZ parliament for lost decades of “bickering” over the climate crisis. As Cyclone Gabrielle devastates the country, North Island has seen widespread flooding and enormous destruction, with hundreds forced to leave their homes and leaving 225,000 people without power. “We need to stop making excuses for inaction. We cannot put our heads in the sand when the beach is flooding. We must act now,” Minister Shaw said yesterday afternoon.

Australians may use more energy to beat cost of living
The conventional wisdom is people will reduce their energy use in response to rising prices — and this may be the case for the most vulnerable households. However, research published today suggests rising costs of living are more likely to increase household energy use as people economise by doing more at home.

A better step for government fleets
About half of the Australian government's new Comcar leases this year will be low-emissions vehicles, but how it will support this transition with charging infrastructure remains unclear. The car-with-driver service used by parliamentarians currently consists of diesel-powered BMWs.

The danger of ‘forever chemicals’
Forever chemicals – the catchier name for the class of chemicals known as PFAS, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – don’t break down in the environment. And when they make it into our bodies, they can bind to proteins and accumulate in organs, which may increase your cancer risk or damage your health. Major manufacturers are now facing lawsuits over the potential health impact of the chemicals.

Colombia cuts deforestation
Colombia's government is looking to cut deforestation to 140,000 hectares a year by 2026, despite international agreements eyeing greater reductions. Last week, Colombia's government, which took control in August, proposed a four-year, nearly $250 billion development plan which lays out projected spending on social programs, clean energy and a myriad of other areas.