Environment
Climate change
Trade winds: Shipping is turning back to sails after a century
The world is locked in debate over the cost of cutting maritime emissions. A few key players are quietly showing how an ancient technology can do it for free.
- by Nick O'Malley
Latest
Opinion
Bushfires
Canada learnt from its Black Summer moment. Why haven’t we?
The Canadian government is poised to end fossil fuel subsidies. Australia’s policymakers are heading in the opposite direction.
- by Greg Mullins
Exclusive
Climate policy
Australia sides with China, Russia in bid to sink Pacific nations’ climate plan
Despite the government’s vow to act on climate and strengthen ties with the Pacific, Australia has declined to back a plan to clean up global shipping.
- by Nick O'Malley
Tony Wright’s column
Energy storage
Yearning for the old woodheap in a winter of confusion
In a time of climate change, with coal-fired power on the nose and citizens being urged to ditch gas, the author recalls a vanished, uncomplicated period.
- by Tony Wright
Hottest year on record? The five charts showing unprecedented global warmth
2023 is outpacing previous years – and there’s a looming El Nino that’s likely to worsen the hot weather.
- by Laura Chung
Analysis
Climate policy
Leaders gathered for nine days of climate talks. It took them eight to agree on an agenda
The UN chief launched a scathing attack on world leaders after delegates at a climate conference in Bonn couldn’t even agree on an agenda for the meeting.
- by Nick O'Malley
Baby got back(up): Australia embraces the big battery
Hazelwood, in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, is the first retired coal-fired power station to host a large-scale battery in Australia. But are we building them fast enough?
- by Miki Perkins
Analysis
Renewables
Finally, some seriously good news on climate. And some not so good
2023 might prove to be the year in which the world began deploying clean energy technology at a pace fast enough to meet the climate change threat.
- by Nick O'Malley
Fire and (melting) ice: Record temperatures in Asia, wildfire smoke cloaks US
Scientists say the warning bells on climate change are at a deafening pitch as temperature records are being broken in Asia and North America is choked by smoke.
- by Miki Perkins
Gillnets banned to protect Great Barrier Reef’s threatened dugongs, turtles
The nets are used to catch fish but they can also injure and kill dugongs, turtles, dolphins and protected shark species.
- by Laura Chung