Treasury estimates a ‘disorderly’ energy transition would result in an Australian economy that’s $1.2tn smaller. Neither major party has the policies to prevent that * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Only an ambitious government can reap the economic benefits of the net zero transition for the Australian people, and ambition is in short supply. Labor continues to talk out of both sides of its mouth, setting a target range in line with its usual pragmatic caution, while simultaneously endorsing fossil fuel expansion despite the existential threat of climate change to the region. Continue reading...

We don't have to wait for moonshot technologies to reach our climate targets. Most of the solutions to the climate crisis are already around us.

After much anticipation, Australia has its new climate targets. Now that the dice have fallen, we consult experts on their assessment of how these targets stack up with what’s at stake.

Under the Trump administration, the widespread, coordinated suppression of dissent is are ripping apart the fabric of American political life.

Australia must lead other nations in committing to 1.5C pathway for safety, security, prosperity and the environment, experts say Leading climate advocates have warned the Australian government’s decision on a 2035 emissions reduction will be a historic “sliding doors moment” for the country, with an international goal to keep global heating to 1.5C now hanging by a thread. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is expected to announce a target range on Thursday after a scheduled morning cabinet meeting before formally submitting it to the UN later this month. Continue reading...

We rely on independent mapmakers to draw electoral boundaries at each redistribution. There is an extensive process of public consultation, and there are rules about how seats can be drawn, but ult…

The state government is increasingly likely to overhaul the way Victorians vote in the upper house – if they can balance their own reliance on crossbench MPs.

Andrew Hastie’s opposition to net zero emissions is well known, but his provocative comments about quitting the frontbench are a fresh test of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s authority.

Australia Institute analysis reveals Woodside’s North West Shelf gas export project is driving up WA energy prices, threatening the state's domestic gas reserves, paying even fewer royalties, corrodin...

Other reports to reveal ‘scary’ risks posed by climate crisis and how the government intends to combat it * Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here The scale of the Albanese government’s climate action ambition for the next decade will be set this week with the anticipated release of its 2035 emissions reduction target. The target is one of several expected announcements revealing the “scary” risks posed by the climate crisis, what the government intends to do, and how. Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...

The party’s grassroots campaigners urge leadership to ignore business warnings about cost of setting ‘ambitious’ target Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Labor’s grassroots environmental action network wants the Albanese government to adopt a 2035 emissions reduction target of at least 70% as a show of global climate action leadership, countering warnings from big business about the cost of such a goal. In her first interview as the new co-convener of Labor Environment Action Network (Lean), Louise Crawford also said she had faith the government would finally deliver long-awaited reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) after plans collapsed in the previous term. Continue reading...

Under the plan, the state government will seize planning controls for the designated areas – near train and tram stops – from local councils * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Affluent Melbourne suburbs such as Hampton, Hawthorn and Kew could be rezoned to allow apartment towers of up to 16 storeys, according to new draft maps released by the Victorian government. The premier, Jacinta Allan, and the planning minister, Sonya Kilkenny, will on Wednesday release the maps showing proposed heights and boundaries for 25 of the government’s 50 activity centres, which were first announced in October 2024. Continue reading...

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s Board has appointed former Greens leader Adam Bandt as the next CEO of the national environment group.

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King says Australian carbon capture progress to date is disappointing but has backed the technology’s role in the nation’s net-zero by 2050 ambition.

Data shows negative gearing remains the favourite of high-income earners, while most Australians’ super balances fall short of what is needed for a ‘comfortable retirement’