WA only state without 2030 emissions reduction target

Western Australia has confirmed it will be the only state to not set an emissions reduction target for 2030, despite having the most work to do to bring its carbon output down. Greenpeace Australia Pacific's Jess Panegyres said it was disappointing WA was being left without a 2030 target because it could help give industry the confidence to invest in green projects.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres didn’t hold back at the opening of the Climate Ambition Summit held in New York with an impassioned plea to world leaders "Humanity has opened the gates of hell.” Mr Guterres further called for polluting countries to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels. 

A south-east Queensland plastics spill in which 40,000 small discs were flushed into the ocean could threaten birds and marine life for years to come, an expert says, amid criticism of CSIRO’s handling of the breach.

Top stories:

WA to be only state without emissions reduction target for 2030
It's prompted criticism from climate activists, who say Western Australia needs to set a clear 2030 goal to ensure it starts reducing its emissions quickly enough.

United Nations urges world leaders to write a different future at Climate Ambition Summit as aspirations falter
World leaders are told "the future is not fixed" and urged to "make up time lost to foot dragging" on reducing emissions, at the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York.

Plastics spill from Queensland’s Bribie Island could harm wildlife for years, expert warns
A CSIRO spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that 40 litres of plastics known as biomedia were accidentally discharged from the Bribie Island Research Centre on Monday afternoon, with many washing up on nearby Woorim beach.

Australians are being urged to develop heatwave plans. Here’s what you need to know
Australians should develop heatwave plans to protect themselves against health risks – just as they prepare for bushfires, health and disaster experts say.

Eastern Australia sweltered under heatwaves this week. How unusual were they?
Australia’s south-east has just experienced some of the hottest September days on record, but experts say worse weather could be yet to come as the chances of a hot and dry summer increase.

‘Unacceptable costs’: Britain delays petrol car ban, weakens net-zero targets
Britain will delay its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and relax a transition away from gas and oil heaters in homes, amid cost of living pressures and a looming electoral wipe-out for the ruling Conservatives next year.

Queensland braces for high temperatures, threat of bushfires
Dozens of fires are currently burning across the state as the worst of the hot weather impacts Queensland. Parts of the state were expected to hit 40C on Thursday, with Brisbane reaching a top of 33C.