Environment
Businesses MIA on rooftop solar and battery revolution
10 June
Australian households are generating nearly four times as much solar energy as retailers, manufacturers and other non-residential buildings, with most commercial rooftops panel-free. Harvesting the vast, untapped generating and storage potential in...[Read More]
Preparing for lift-off: green fuel projects get a boost
10 June
Seven green fuel projects designed to accelerate Australia’s move to low-emission transport will themselves be given a boost in a $1.7 million pilot program. Advisory firm Cyan Ventures announced Australia’s Green Fuels Accelerator on Wednesday,...[Read More]
Shifting gears: electric cars surge during fuel crisis
3 June
A record number of Australian drivers are choosing electric and hybrid vehicles, with the low-emission cars closing in on half of all new vehicles sales for the first time. Motorists are slamming the brakes on petrol and diesel cars, with their...[Read More]
Hybrid and electric vehicles rev up second-hand market
14 January
Australians’ blooming love affair with fuel-efficient vehicles is sweeping into the second-hand car market, with figures showing hybrid and electric models are wooing more candidates. But plug-in hybrid electric cars are rising in popularity...[Read More]
‘Smash-hit’ battery scheme topped up, subsidies trimmed
17 December
More batteries in more homes is the promise of a federal government decision to triple the budget of a popular rebate scheme and wind back discounts for bigger systems. The subsidy, which has been in place for five months, will get a generous top-up...[Read More]
Coal down, solar up: Australia halfway to 2030 target
24 September
Australia is generating renewable energy in record amounts and is halfway to its 2030 target, latest figures show. Coal-based power generation also produced less than half the nation’s energy for the first time during the past year, while Western...[Read More]
Green jet fuel creates runway for 2035 climate goals
24 September
A promise to kickstart an emerging low carbon fuel industry has been sandwiched between dire warnings of Australia’s climate threats and the expected release of national targets to slash emissions. The federal government’s $1.1 billion to...[Read More]
Faster approvals considered in nature law overhaul
10 September
Housing, energy and infrastructure developments could be fast-tracked in some areas and blocked entirely in others under a major overhaul of Australia’s planning rules. The federal government is promising to enshrine “regional planning” in...[Read More]
Nature delivers $510b bounty but needs more resources
3 September
Australia’s natural environment contributes more than $510 billion to the nation’s bottom line every year, a report has found, making it as valuable as the finance and mining sectors combined. But the federal government is not investing enough...[Read More]
Ways for consumers to put the ‘sun tax’ in the shade
22 January
For those who can afford it, adding a battery could beat the “sun tax” that will further deplete the once-generous rate of return for rooftop solar pioneers. A third of Australia’s households have rooftop solar and almost three quarters of the...[Read More]