March
Expanded renewables scheme to spur $67b of energy projects
The scheme is intended to put Australia back on track to reach 82 per cent renewables by 2030 but how much it will cost taxpayers remains unclear.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
December 2023
COP28 deal says gas to play role in energy transition
Climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen hailed the stronger than expected COP28 outcome as a way to bolster Australia’s transition to renewable energy.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Updated
- Energy transition
COP28 deal pledges fossil fuel ‘transition’ for first time
After a marathon round of backroom wrangling, the 198-nation summit endorsed a “transition away from” fossil fuels by 2050.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Analysis
- Carbon challenge
Will COP28 fail after dropping fossil fuel pledge?
For the Albanese government, and many others, the test of success or failure at COP28 is not necessarily a fossil fuel phase-out, but simply making progress.
- Hans van Leeuwen
COP28 draft agreement drops phase-out of fossil fuels
Australia is among the countries pushing back against the UAE’s suggested deal text, saying the draft was only a “step forward” not the needed “step change”.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Sprawling and costly: Can Australia host COP31 in just two years?
The conference, which could attract up to 80,000 people and puts pressure on transport, is likely to come to Australia in 2026. But the decision will be made next year.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Updated
- Energy transition
Fossil fuel phase-out good for Australia, Bowen says
The climate and energy minister says if COP28 can agree to tough action on fossil fuels, it will create opportunities for Australia as a renewables superpower.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
Expectations dim that COP28 will agree to phase out fossil fuels
COP28 chief Sultan al-Jaber told countries to put aside self-interest, and Australia’s Chris Bowen urged them not to drift apart, as the endgame draws near.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
October 2023
Make EV drivers pay or face cost-of-living backlash, Labor told
The federal government is reluctant to bring in a road-user charge for electric cars because it believes ownership rates of low-emission vehicles are still too low.
- Jacob Greber and Gus McCubbing
September 2023
- Analysis
- Carbon challenge
Nationals already back Labor’s net zero – they just don’t know it
David Littleproud is adamant the Nationals oppose Labor’s 2030 emissions target while backing Australia’s Paris commitments. Both can’t be true at once.
- Jacob Greber
August 2023
Bowen slaps down nuclear, defends CSIRO over costs row
The Climate Change and Energy Minister says the nuclear debate is a “distraction”, and backed recent CSIRO analysis against claims it overstates the benefits of solar and wind.
- Jacob Greber
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Free trade is no longer risk-free in new world of de-globalisation
We can’t pretend national security risks and the need to reduce our carbon emissions don’t exist. But nor can this small, open economy give up on the free flow of goods, services, capital, technology, ideas, payments and people.
- Cherelle Murphy
Carbon ‘tariff’ must avoid hurting consumers, warns steel group
Steel importers are urging Labor to avoid turning the planned green tax on imports into economically destructive protectionism.
- Jacob Greber
May 2023
Rinehart warns of $60b investment shortfall
Australia’s wealthiest person Gina Rinehart urged the resources sector to sell its achievements to the rest of the nation.
- Mark Ludlow
March 2023
Orica says it’s being punished for early action on climate change
The explosives giant, which has embarked on one of the nation’s biggest industrial decarbonisation projects, says Labor is reneging on a seven-year carbon deal.
- Jacob Greber
December 2022
- Exclusive
- Electricity
ASX sought RBA help to revive electricity market
The bourse asked the RBA for help when trading of its electricity derivatives waned amid market volatility.
- Colin Packham
September 2022
Energy bosses ‘optimistic’ after ‘decade of energy policy failure’
Energy bosses welcomed a more consultative approach to energy policy under the new government after what one CEO described as a “decade of energy policy failure”.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and Elouise Fowler
July 2022
‘Can’t be held to ransom on renewables’
Australia is using newly minted alliances on decarbonisation and critical minerals as part of a strategy to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuels.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
- Exclusive
- Carbon challenge
Bowen taps scientist to probe ‘fraudulent’ carbon market claims
Carbon capture and storage, governance and transparency will be part of the former chief scientist’s probe into the credibility of carbon credits.
- Jacob Greber
June 2022
Anthony Albanese calls Greens’ bluff on 43pc emissions target
The Coalition opposes legislated targets, meaning the government will need the support of Adam Bandt’s party, which has the balance of power in the Senate.
- Phillip Coorey