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

Knitting nannas successfully challenge part of NSW protest laws

We will be taking a break over the festive season with The Canopy resuming on Monday 15th January. From all of us at Greenpeace Australia Pacific we wish you a safe and happy holiday season. 

The NSW Supreme Court has ruled parts of controversial protest laws introduced by the NSW parliament last year are "invalid" after a legal challenge by two "knitting nannas" who argued the laws fundamentally undermine the right to political communication. 

Representatives of Pacific Island states expressed frustration and disappointment at the final outcome of the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates, saying they were left out of the plenary room when the concluding deal was decided. For Shiva Gounden, the head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the COP28 agreement — known as the global stocktake (GST) — felt like a betrayal “As a Pacific Islander on the frontline of the climate crisis, I’m gutted by the outcome of COP28 and was shocked to see the GST text adopted so quickly. The final outcome falls short of what’s needed in terms of fossil fuel phase-out and finance.”

An investigation into the financial disclosures of 12 sustainable or ethical-labelled super options has found these funds hold extensive investment in shares of companies in the gambling, alcohol and weapons manufacturing industries as well as $1.2 billion worth of fossil fuel industry shares including ExxonMobil, Woodside, and Santos. 

Top stories:

Court rules parts of NSW protest laws are 'invalid' after challenge by Knitting Nannas activists
The laws, passed in April 2022 after a series of climate protests, meant people could be fined $22,000 or jailed for two years for causing a major facility to be closed or if someone using the area had to be redirected.

Pacific Islands lash out at COP28 presidency: ‘We weren’t in the room’ when deal was announced
“We weren’t in the room when this decision was gavelled. And that is shocking to us,” Tina Stege, the climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, said Wednesday while speaking outside of the plenary.

ExxonMobil, Woodside, Santos: Investigation finds sustainable super funds littered with $1 billion fossil fuel investment
Almost all of Australia’s big super funds offer their members an investment option that avoids environmentally unsustainable industries like coal, oil and gas. But an ABC analysis of financial disclosures of the sustainable or ethical-labelled super options has revealed 12 of them collectively hold almost $1.2 billion worth of fossil fuel industry shares.

Steven Miles to set more ambitious emissions reduction target on day one as Queensland premier
The incoming Queensland premier, Steven Miles, is expected to announce on Friday that the state will lift its lagging emissions reductions targets, among a number of “day one” initiatives to be unveiled by the new state leadership.

Arctic Permafrost Hides Migrating Methane That Could Skyrocket Emissions
A methane monster, lurking beneath the Arctic's frozen ground, is threatening to rear its ugly head. Scientists don't yet know how big the threat is or where it will strike first, but what is clear is that the Arctic's permanently frozen soil, called permafrost, is melting, threatening to uncap huge amounts of an extremely potent fossil fuel from its icy prison.

Greenpeace takes Federal Court action against Woodside Energy over climate performance
Greenpeace is taking energy giant Woodside to court, accusing it of misleading the public over its climate plans and performance.

How the government's latest car tax tweaks fit into a complex electric vehicle policy landscape
A small tweak to a high-end car tax has revved up car industry groups who say the tax itself should be scrapped.

Sydney set to swelter through heatwave amid extreme fire danger
The NSW government was forced to urge Sydneysiders to limit electricity use with energy reserves “under pressure” as the latest heatwave causes bushfires and soaring temperatures across the state.

What COP28 achieved – and what it failed to do
The world has taken stock of its climate change response and found it seriously wanting. Action can and must be taken.




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