Nuclear too slow and expensive to help Australia reach net zero, study finds

Nuclear power should not form part of Australia’s plans to reach net zero emissions, a new report has found - but the pipeline of solar and onshore wind projects could fall short of what’s needed.

The Andrews Government is being urged to end its opposition to Commonwealth water purchases in the Murray-Darling basin, after new research found restored flows could save dozens of threatened species.

And two “teal” electorates have been found to have the highest number of Tesla drivers in the country. Only one Greens seat made the top 10.

Top Stories:

Nuclear power too expensive and slow to be part of Australia’s plans to reach net zero, study finds
Nuclear power should not form part of Australia’s plans to reach net zero emissions because it is too expensive and slow, according to the final report of a project that models how Australia might meet its 2050 climate target.

Murray-Darling basin: environmental flows found to be key to saving 140 species at risk of extinction
The recovery of 140 threatened species in Victoria depends on the restoration of environmental flows in the Murray-Darling basin, according to new research commissioned by Environment Victoria, which has called for the Andrews Government to end opposition to Commonwealth water purchases in order to save the river.

Map reveals class divide in Australia
Tesla drivers are much more likely to live in Australia’s wealthiest electorates held by “teal” independents showing the remarkable division in the political map when it comes to what Aussies drive.|

Over Half Of Australians Intend To Buy An EV In The Future
The attitudes of the Australian driving public have changed dramatically in the past two years. Major influencers appear to be fuel price hikes, and the easing of electric vehicle prices.

Electric vehicle adoption skyrockets in ACT, doubling in a year
This month, the ACT reached a milestone of more than 5,000 zero emissions vehicles registered in the Territory: the highest number per capita in Australia.

US EV market struggles with price cuts and rising inventories
The U.S. electric vehicle market is growing, but not fast enough during the latest quarter to prevent unsold EVs from stacking up at some automakers' dealerships or to allow Tesla to avoid new price cuts, according to analysts and industry data.

Alcoa wants to mine WA’s jarrah forests for another 21 years. But the hurdles are mounting
Alcoa can mine bauxite in Western Australia’s jarrah forests until 2045 unless Premier Roger Cook uses power confirmed by the High Court to change an agreement signed six decades ago.

Why has Australia signed up to Germany's Climate Club and what difference will it make?
Australia has become a party to the so-called Climate Club, a development that garnered some applause from environmentalists — albeit of the fairly muted variety.

Reef researchers fear El Nino forecast
After some fledgling recovery from coral bleaching events, Great Barrier Reef researchers and tourism operators are bracing for the possibility of above average temperatures.

These scientists have a novel way of solving the Great Barrier Reef's coral rubble problem: glue
Scientists have developed an adhesive putty that can glue broken pieces of coral back together, which "has no harmful effects on the marine environment".

How Australian coral and an unremarkable lake will help usher in a new epoch
Scientists are on the verge of formally declaring a new geological epoch based on evidence from a remote body of water in Canada, and Flinders Reef in Queensland.

WA joins AAA-rated club, despite carbon transition risk
Western Australia has joined the ranks of the world’s top-rated AAA club with an upgrade and a stable outlook, despite exposure to carbon transition risk.

Unpopular transmission lines are set to span Australia. Batteries and virtual power lines could cut how many we need
Australia's power grid was built to transport power from coal-fired power stations or the Snowy Hydro scheme to large cities and industrial precincts. This ageing grid isn't designed to cope with a green future where power flows into the grid from solar farms and wind farms on land and out at sea.

The military blind spot in the war against emissions
When it comes to taking stock of global emissions, there's an elephant in the room: the world's armed forces. Angela Johnston explains.