Just a handful today. I’ll finish the update tomorrow.

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Climate impacts could block fossil fuel projects under Plibersek change

The global warming impact of fossil fuels will, for the first time, be factored into the federal government’s environmental assessments as Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek opens the possibility of coal and gas projects being blocked due to climate change.

Plibersek’s move poses a fresh challenge for fossil fuel industries as the federal government threatens gas companies with unprecedented market intervention as it scrambles to find a mechanism to lower gas prices, deflate soaring energy bills and help struggling manufacturers stay afloat.

In a break with the policy of the former Coalition government, the federal government announced it would accept public submissions on the climate change impacts of 18 coal and gas projects.

Until now, federal government assessments only considered a project’s impacts on native wildlife and ecosystems.

However, prompted by a potential legal challenge being launched by the Environment Council of Central Queensland, the government will now consider public comment on climate impacts on the projects, which are all seeking federal approval for their proposed developments.

ECCQ president Christine Carlisle said previous ministers had failed to consider climate change impacts of coal or gas proposals and praised Plibersek’s move to factor in global warming.

“Assessing the risks and harm of new coal or gas should account for all the evidence, including how it would contribute to climate breakdown,” she said.

Plibersek said she couldn’t make further comment as it was a legal matter, but a spokesperson confirmed the minister received in July a reconsideration request for 18 statutory decisions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

“After careful examination the [Environment] Department has decided that each request is valid.”

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Continued progress.




The share of renewable energy in Australia's main grid soared to a new record of 68.7 per cent on Friday, easily beating the previous record of 64.1 per cent set on September 18.

The Australian Energy Market Operator says the new “instantaneous” renewable generation record was set 12:30pm, and was a 4.6% increase from the previous milestone set just a month earlier.

It also appears to be a new record for variable renewable energy – wind and solar – with an instantaneous share of 64 per cent, according to the table below.

On top of that, rooftop solar was producing more than all fossil fuelled generation combined, showing the power of household and business consumers. And it is also remarkable that this occurred during a weekday, as such records usually occur on weekends when there is lower demand.



The AEMO data is based on 30-minute trading period, but on a 5-minute period (within that same 30-minute period), a new peak was set at 69.61 per cent at 12.15pm (AEEDT) on Friday, according to data cruncher GPE NemLog2.That was well up from the 65 per cent share set earlier this month.

That pushed the share of coal down to a record low of 29 per cent, also well below the previous minimum of 34 per cent set in September.

At the same time, the output of wind and solar reached a peak of 18,100MW, also well ahead of the previous peak of 16,331MW set o October 15.

The new benchmarks continues a record-breaking spring for renewables in the main grid, reflecting the continuing growth of large scale wind and solar developments, and the popularity of rooftop solar.

At the time of the new benchmark on Friday coal provided just 30 per cent of generation on the main grid, and gas just 1 per cent. Five years ago, the maximum instantaneous penetration of renewables stood at 30 per cent, but it is expected to reach 100 per cent within the next three years.

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  • Malcom Turnbull says Liberal party has ‘lost its way’ on climate


The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the Liberal party has “lost its way” on climate policy as it continues to rail against renewable energy, warning the party needs to win back the so-called teal seats if it ever wants to form government.

He has also accused the party’s leader, Peter Dutton, of peddling “complete and utter nonsense” by suggesting nuclear power was needed to firm up renewables.

Speaking at the Australia Institute’s launch of the State of the Nation report on Thursday, Turnbull said there was “overwhelming public support” for action on climate change, pointing to the May election result as evidence.

“The teal phenomenon is probably the single most important thing that happened at the election,” Turnbull said.

Much more here: Malcolm Turnbull Press Conference Transcript – Climate of the Nation Report Launch - The Australia Institute

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  • David Pocock While cost-of-living pressures are soaring, fossil fuel war profits are too.


Australians are missing out on a fair share from the exploitation of our resources.

Time to update the PRRT (Petroleum Resources Rent Tax).: https://twitter.com/DavidPocock/stat...39410640633857

Majority of Australians back taxing fossil fuel companies’ super profits, survey shows

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Extra

  • Scientists unlock methane-busting seaweed


Australian scientists have made a major breakthrough on seaweed that can be fed to cattle and drastically reduce their methane emissions.

The researchers are confident they have cracked the genome code for Asparagopsis.

The species of seaweed produces a chemical compound called bromoform, which prevents the formation of methane during the digestion of food.

Feeding the red seaweed to livestock can slash methane emissions by more than 80 per cent.

An international research team has spent three years studying the genetics of the warm water seaweed, which is native to Australia.

The team has figured out how to grow high quality crops quickly and in big volumes.

"So we've got the genome blueprint for us to be able to fast track the development of the seaweed," marine scientist Nick Paul told AAP.

The research was focused on ways to grow enough Asparagopsis to have a meaningful impact on global greenhouse gas emissions.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/scientists...033629171.html