Peak salt: is the desalination dream over for the Gulf states?
The Middle East is home to 70% of the world’s desalination plants, but the more water they process, the less economically viable they become Gulf states are among the most water-scarce in the world. With few freshwater resources and low rainfall, many countries have turned to desalination (where salt is removed from seawater) for their […]
The Queen, aristocrats and Saudi prince among recipients of EU farm subsidies
At least one in five of the top 100 UK recipients of CAP subsidies were for farms owned or run by aristocratic families, say Greenpeace Wealthy aristocrats and a Saudi landowning prince are continuing to reap hundreds of thousands of pounds from the European Union’s common agricultural policy (CAP). At least one in five of […]
Mini-nuclear reactors could be operating in the UK by 2030 – report
Energy Technologies Institute argues small modular reactors capable of delivering clean power and heat could be in place by 2030 if the right policy framework is put in place, reports BusinessGreen The first small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) could be operating in the UK by 2030 with the right government support, according to a new […]
Zimbabwe accused of preparing to ship dozens of young elephants to China
Conservationists say dozens of young elephants being captured by Zimbabwe’s government may be bound for China, rather than nearby national park Concerns have been raised that Zimbabwe is again preparing to send dozens of young elephants to wildlife parks in China. The government’s national park authority, ZimParks, began capturing elephants from Hwange national park in […]
One step beyond electric: Self-charging solar cars
Transitioning from petrol-fuelled cars to electric vehicles is widely predicted to happen over the course of the next 10 to 20 years. However, a new German startup called Sono Motors is already exploring technology that could take that transition one step further – the potential for a solar-powered electric vehicle that can travel just under […]
South Australia's blackout explained (and no, renewables aren't to blame)
Some wrongly implicated windfarms when the entire state lost power after one of the worst storms in 50 years knocked out high-voltage power pylons On Wednesday, something very unusual happened: the entire state of South Australia lost power. Known as a “system black,” it’s something the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) had only prepared for […]
Malcolm Turnbull says South Australia blackout a wake-up call on renewables
PM’s comments comes as Jay Weatherill accuses Coalition of pushing anti-windfarm agenda and playing politics when thousands of households still have no power A political brawl has erupted over the statewide blackout in South Australia on Wednesday, with the state’s premier accusing Barnaby Joyce of exploiting the event to push his anti-windfarm agenda. Malcolm Turnbull […]
Is this a new low: politicians using a natural disaster to push a fact-free agenda? | Matt Grudnoff
Unburdened by evidence, anti-wind campaigners used the South Australian blackout to kick off a debate about renewables while others waited for facts Normally natural disasters are off limits to politicking, at least in the period straight after the event. So it was pretty awful watching politicians and commentators pushing their anti-renewables message on the back […]
Officials admit no modelling shows how Australia will meet Paris climate pledge
Environment officials tell parliamentary inquiry there is no modelling on how current policies will affect emissions beyond 2020, or when emissions will peak Government officials have acknowledged that Australia’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reductions pledged at Paris in 2015 were made without any modelling to show whether existing policies could achieve those targets. They also […]
BP and Shell investors urged to reward bosses for backing green energy
Shareholders should use binding votes on pay policies next year to push executives to stick to climate goals, says ShareAction Shell and BP’s pay plans encourage their bosses to dig for oil instead of investing in low-carbon energy and should be overhauled by shareholders, according to the campaign group ShareAction. Investors in the oil companies […]