Toyota ranked as one of the most negative companies on climate policy

Carmaker Toyota now finds itself sharing space with major oil and gas companies as one of the “world’s most obstructive companies on climate policy” in 2022. The company now ranks near Chevron and Exxon Mobil when it comes to overall climate policy footprint accorrind to new data compiled by InfluenceMap.

A trickle of climate "loss and damage" funding pledges from rich countries at the COP27 summit in Egypt have been welcomed by observers and developing nations, who say they must pave the way for a broad global financing deal. The controversial issue is a key focus of the UN meeting, as a relentless surge of impacts wreak death, destruction and mounting economic losses on developing nations least responsible for planet-heating emissions.

And Adam Bandt dares Anthony Albanese to intervene in the energy market to halt rising energy bills. The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, is calling on the federal government to consider his party's proposal, which would impose a windfall tax on the profits of coal and gas companies and use that revenue to cap the price of retail electricity bills.

Toyota Ranked As One Of Most Negative Companies On Climate Policy
Japanese automaker Toyota now finds itself sharing space with major oil and gas companies as one of the “world’s most obstructive companies on climate policy” in 2022. The car manufacturer now ranks near Chevron and Exxon Mobil when it comes to its overall climate policy footprint. This all comes from data compiled by InfluenceMap, a company that "provides data and analysis on how business and finance are affecting the climate crisis."

Rich nation 'gestures' on climate damage only a start: observers
A trickle of climate "loss and damage" funding pledges from rich countries at the COP27 summit in Egypt have been welcomed by observers and developing nations, who say they must pave the way for a broad global financing deal. The controversial issue is a key focus of the UN meeting, as a relentless surge of impacts wreak death, destruction, and mounting economic losses on developing nations least responsible for planet-heating emissions. A handful of European nations and regions have announced small funding pledges during the Sharm el-Sheikh talks, with Germany, Austria, Ireland, and Belgium saying they would make contributions.

Adam Bandt dares Anthony Albanese to intervene in the energy market to halt rising energy bills
The Prime Minister is being urged to consider freezing energy bills to levels seen prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in an effort to lower the brunt against households staring down skyrocketing costs. Greens leader Adam Bandt is calling on the federal government to consider his party's proposal, which would impose a windfall tax on the profits of coal and gas companies and use that revenue to cap the price of retail electricity bills.

Mike Cannon-Brookes and the battle for AGL
This week in The Fin podcast, columnist James Thomson and host Lisa Murray examine Mike Cannon-Brookes’ push to elect four new directors to energy giant AGL. If Cannon-Brookes succeeds at AGL’s shareholder meeting on Tuesday, it will set a new benchmark for climate activism in corporate Australia. The episode examines what Cannon-Brookes’ win means for Australia’s energy transition and why big corporations and environmental activists around the world are watching this boardroom clash closely.

Volvo's bid to go 'fully electric' in Australia by 2026 suggests hybrid cars are on a road to nowhere
When a host of Hollywood A-listers arrived at the Academy Awards in 2003, their mode of transport turned as many heads as any of the outfits on display. The likes of Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford, and Susan Sarandon were chauffeured to the event in what was then seen as a symbol of environmental virtue and innovation — Toyota's electric-petrol hybrid Prius. But almost 20 years since that event, Toyota no longer has the edge in the great race to decarbonise the world's transport fleet. If anything, the view among industry experts is that Toyota has slipped back in the pack — way, way back.

Tensions and war undermine climate cooperation – but there’s a silver lining
This week’s COP27 climate conference in Egypt comes amid war and disaster. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw fossil fuel prices spike and old coal plants temporarily reopen, while renewed tensions between the United States and China have cast a shadow over climate cooperation between the world’s top two carbon emitters. But what’s the link between geopolitics and climate action? Politics and war tend to be separated in media coverage from climate change and environmental disasters. But they’re closely connected.

Philanthropists acquire nearly 4,000 hectares of NSW koala habitat for conservation
Almost 4,000 hectares of koala habitat in the Hunter region of New South Wales will be protected after the land was privately acquired for conservation. Sydney philanthropists Andrew and Jane Clifford bought the property north of Newcastle, which scientists from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) estimate is a habitat for more than 100 vertebrate species, including the endangered koala and 11 other animals listed as threatened.

NSW government accused of reopening ‘koala wars’ with new forestry bill
The Perrottet government has been accused of reopening the “koala wars” by proposing legislation that would strip New South Wales councils of their powers to regulate native forestry operations on private land. The agriculture minister, Dugald Saunders, introduced a bill on Wednesday that critics said would water down the regulation of forestry in the state. Sitting independent MPs and candidate hopefuls alike jumped on the proposal, accusing the Liberal party of bowing to pressure from the Nationals, flagging they would campaign on the issue ahead of the March state poll.

Medicine or fuel? Soaring cost of living leaves grey nomad stranded in the outback
Like thousands of older Australians, Graeme Kuchel has spent the latter years of his life traveling the country as part of his retirement. But, as the cost-of-living rises, the 74-year-old said moving from one place to the next was becoming increasingly difficult. "With the cost of fuel, everything else has gone up, like your supermarket stuff and any vehicle repairs," Mr Kuchel said.