Santos attempts to discredit Tiwi Island elders dreaming stories

Fossil fuel giant Santos has accused Tiwi Island elders of altering dreaming stories to block its $5.6 billion Barossa gas project. Tiwi Islander knowledge about the movements and resting places of two significant ancestral beings has been at the centre of the latest chapter of a Federal Court challenge.

Environmental lawyers have raised concern the offshore petroleum regulator is attempting to avoid scrutiny by not publishing its reasons for approving seismic blasting and drilling for Woodside’s Scarborough gas project. It comes as Woodside confirms seismic testing has commenced and will be completed by the end of the year. 

In Dubai, UN climate chief Simon Stiell has urged COP28 attendees to agree on a phase-out of fossil fuels. It comes as Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has arrived in Dubai with pressure mounting for Australia to increase financing for Pacific countries.

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Tiwi traditional owners accused of altering dreamings in court case over Santos's Barossa gas project
A group of Tiwi Islands elders have faced off against Santos in the Federal Court with the fossil fuel giant's plans to build a pipeline past the islands for its $5.6 billion Barossa project. 

Offshore oil regulator ‘avoiding scrutiny’ over approval for Woodside blasting and drilling
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (Nopsema) granted approval for seismic testing and drilling of up to 10 wells for Woodside’s $16.5bn Scarborough gas development last Friday.

UN Climate chief: 'Good intentions won't halve emissions, we need finance'
More than 80 countries are pushing for a broader pact to phase out all CO2-emitting fossil fuels - but not everyone is supportive, with Russia, Saudi Arabia and China opposing a full phase-out.

Rolling Extinction Rebellion protests disrupt Melbourne CBD
Extinction Rebellion protesters marched in Melbourne’s CBD on Thursday morning under police guard, calling for an end to fossil fuel consumption and more radical action on scaling back the world’s industry.

Andrew Forrest calls for fossil fuel bosses' 'heads on spikes' in extraordinary outburst on sidelines of UN COP28 climate conference
Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest is attending the COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates. He says energy bosses should have their heads "put up on spikes" for not committing to phase-out fossil fuels

Earth on Brink of Five Catastrophic Climate Tipping Points, Report Warns
Our report sets out the science on the "negative" tipping points in the Earth system that could harm both nature and people, as well as the potential "positive" societal tipping points that could accelerate sustainability action.

Woodside and Santos in merger talks to form fossil fuel giant
Australia’s two largest oil and gas companies are in merger talks to form a single $80 billion company focused on gas exports. Perth-based Woodside and its smaller Adelaide-based rival Santos confirmed market speculation with statements to the ASX late on Thursday.

Reduce carbon footprint if you want cheap finance: NAB
Australia’s largest business lender has said it is inevitable banks will charge higher interest rates for businesses that do not have credible plans to reduce their emissions footprint.

Australia's set to sizzle this weekend. Here's how hot it will be, and how to avoid heat stroke
Australians are being warned of the effects of prolonged heat exposure and how to spot the signs of heat stroke as the country sizzles through its first heat wave of the summer.

Fraught battle over fossil fuels at centre of Cop28 as we enter second week
As the first week of Cop28 draws to a close, battle lines have been drawn over the central issue of the summit: the future of fossil fuels. Divisions have emerged between countries calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels, the root cause of the climate crisis, and those set against it.