Soaring fuel costs strengthen demand for a fuel efficiency standard

New polling from the Climate Council has revealed that more than two-thirds of Australians are ditching the car more often to avoid paying for soaring fuel costs. Of the 1,150 Australians surveyed nationally, more than half feel that the Federal government’s long-awaited fuel efficiency standard would save them money with the Climate Council adding that strong fuel efficiency standards will be “key” to helping Australia catch up to other markets when it comes to clean transport.

The number of listed threatened species in Australia’s world heritage northern rainforests has increased by 25% since 2020, as ecologists say they are now clearly observing the long-predicted impacts of global heating. Ecologist Stephen Williams says that the tropics are ‘at a real risk of losing the very things that led to them being made a world heritage area in 1988.

And the state and federal governments have announced that six batteries which could supply power to 430,000 households - around eight per cent of the total amount needed during NSW’s peak demand periods in summer - will be in operation by the end of 2025. This comes as NSW battles warnings of energy shortfalls as it transitions away from coal-fired power.

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Australians driving less to dodge soaring fuel prices, Climate Council poll shows
The national survey of 1,150 Australians, released on Wednesday, also showed more than half feel the federal government’s long-awaited fuel efficiency standard would save them money.

Queensland’s wet tropics see 25% rise in threatened species in three years as climate change bites
The number of listed threatened species in Australia’s world heritage northern rainforests has increased by 25% since 2020, as ecologists say they are now clearly observing the long-predicted impacts of global heating.

NSW announces contracts for six batteries to supply 1GW of energy by 2025
Six batteries which could supply power to 430,000 households will be in operation by the end of 2025, as NSW battles warnings of energy shortfalls in its transition away from coal-fired power.

Ongoing oil and gas seismic surveying off Tasmanian coast has fishers worried
Fishermen are concerned for the cumulative impact of multiple seismic surveys, as more energy companies investigate the potential for drilling in the ocean basins surrounding Tasmania. 

Energy modeller Rystad says accelerated transition to clean technologies puts global climate goals 'within reach'
Rystad Energy, a Norway-based firm, has released a report casting an upbeat light on the world's progress towards decarbonisation, despite continuing increases in global emissions.

Ex energy supremo Audrey Zibelman reviewed green power target as Labor seeks energy reset
Senior energy industry and Labor party sources have told the ABC that the government commissioned a secret review of its 82 per cent renewable energy target with the clock ticking on efforts to more than double Australia's renewable energy share by 2030.

Chris Bowen’s renewable bid to keep the lights on
A sweeping energy scheme worth many billions of dollars aimed at keeping the lights on will be rolled out amid warnings from key agencies that coal-fired power is shutting down quicker than it’s being replaced by renewables.

Author Tim Winton lashes oil and gas industry’s ‘crime against humanity’
Western Australian author Tim Winton, famed for his environmental activism and award-winning books, has accused the oil and gas industry of a “crime against humanity” and a force that must be defeated.