Koalas are officially listed as endangered, after government failure to protect them

In the week’s saddest news, koalas have been officially listed as an endangered species in NSW and Queensland. The need for a recovery plan for the beloved marsupial was identified nine years ago, as the Coalition government came to power, but none was put in place.

AGL, Australia’s biggest climate polluter, yesterday made a token effort around coal closure, announcing a minute step forward in closure dates for Loy Yang A and Bayswater coal power stations - and now new analysis suggests that they may shut even sooner than AGL has claimed.

And over in WA, cheaper, cleaner renewables have outstripped gas in the state’s electricity grid.

Koalas officially an endangered species in NSW, Queensland
Koalas are now an officially endangered species in NSW and Queensland, with federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley announcing on Friday that the species is now recognised as a higher risk of extinction.

Why the shutdown of AGL’s coal-fired plants will probably happen even sooner than power giant says
The two plants selected for early shutdown currently produce about 7% of Australia’s total carbon emissions

Renewable energy overtakes gas as biggest SWIS power supplier
Renewable energy was the biggest source of power in WA’s main electricity grid last year, according to the Climate Council.

How Australians can cut emissions – and save $5000 a year
The electrification of households, powered by renewables, can halve energy use, fire up the economy and cut our living costs, writes Saul Griffith

Macron hails 'French nuclear renaissance'
France is to build six new nuclear power stations and investigate the possibility of a further eight by 2050, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced in Belfort in the east of the country.

Golden Plains Wind Farm moves ahead with equity investor and major contract
Plans to build the southern hemisphere’s biggest wind farm in Victoria have reached a major milestone, but a legal challenge looms.