UNESCO advises Great Barrier Reef not in danger

UN scientific advisors have recommended the Great Barrier Reef not be placed on a list of world heritage sites marked as “in danger” but stressed the planet’s biggest coral reef system remains under “serious threat” from global heating and water pollution. Unesco said in a report that the Australian government had taken positive steps to protect the reef since a UN monitoring mission visited Queensland in March last year.

Senate crossbenchers will back the government’s petroleum resource rent tax changes in exchange for a cut to the allowable deductions cap, an update the Greens say would raise $2.6bn in revenue. The Coalition offered its support on these tax changes in exchange for reduced regulation and faster approval of new gas projects, but The Greens and independent senators have offered another way forward to increase tax for fossil fuel companies.

A group of climate activists targeting Australia's largest gas company has successfully fought an attempt by West Australian police to stop them communicating with each other. A lawyer for the Disrupt Burrup Hub protesters accused police of making misleading claims to a court for anti-association bail conditions, usually reserved for outlaw motorcycle gangs.

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Unesco recommends against Great Barrier Reef ‘in danger’ listing
UN scientific advisors have recommended the Great Barrier Reef not be placed on a list of world heritage sites “in danger” but stressed the planet’s biggest coral reef system remains under “serious threat” from global heating and water pollution. Unesco said in a report that the Australian government had taken positive steps to protect the reef since a UN monitoring mission visited Queensland in March last year. But Unesco has in effect put Australia on notice, as it recommended the government provide a progress report in February before the reef is considered for inscription on the “in danger” list again in 2024.

Crossbenchers to back Labor’s resources tax changes if deductions cap for ‘greedy’ gas companies is cut
Senate crossbenchers will back the government’s petroleum resource rent tax changes in exchange for a cut to the allowable deductions cap, an update the Greens say would raise $2.6bn in revenue. The Coalition offered its support on these tax changes in exchange for reduced regulation and faster approval of new gas projects, but The Greens and independent senators have offered another way forward to increase tax for fossil fuel companies. 

Police attempt to stop climate activists talking fails
A group of climate activists targeting Australia's largest gas company has successfully fought an attempt by West Australian police to stop them communicating with each other. A lawyer for the Disrupt Burrup Hub protesters accused police of making misleading claims to a court for anti-association bail conditions usually reserved for outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Australia’s biggest agri-solar and battery storage project wins planning approval
A project that is likely the biggest combined agri-solar and battery storage project in Australia – the Blind Creek solar farm near Bungendore – has received planning approval from the NSW state government.

Living without gas: what are the impacts of shifting to all-electric homes?
Gas connections for all new housing and sub-divisions will be banned in Victoria from January 1st next year. This feature article from The Conversation discusses the benefits and challenges of the Victoria gas ban.

EV sales in the first half of 2023 higher than all of last year
More electric cars have been sold in Australia during the first six months of 2023 than during the whole of the previous year, the Electric Vehicle Council says. In a study released in July, the EVC said by the end of June, 46,624 EVs had been sold, nearly three times as many in the corresponding period in 2022.

Land clearing figures show 50% reduction in three years in Queensland
Fewer trees have been cut down in Queensland, but some conservationists are calling for laws to be tightened in order to protect endangered species such as koalas. The latest state government report into land clearing shows about 349,000 hectares were cleared in the 2020-21 reporting period, down 49 per cent from the first statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) in 2018-19.

UNESCO recommends adding Venice to list of world heritage sites in danger
UNESCO experts have recommended that Venice and its lagoon be added to its list of World Heritage in Danger as Italy is not doing enough to protect the city from the impact of climate change and mass tourism.

Billie Eilish Reveals Her Lollapalooza Set Will Use Solar-Powered 'Zero-Emissions Battery Systems'
Eilish is partnering with REVERB to set an "example of an emerging clean energy solution that can help rapidly reduce the carbon emissions of live music"

German supermarket trials charging true climate cost of foods
A leading discount supermarket in Germany has raised the prices of a selection of its products to reflect their real cost on people’s health and the environment. In a week-long experiment in all 2,150 branches of the Penny chain, a range of nine products, mainly dairy and meat, will be priced at what experts from two universities have deemed to be their true cost, in relation to their effect on soil, climate, water use and health.