Post of the Day
Robert Hales and Brendan Mackey
After two hard-fought weeks of negotiations, the Glasgow climate change summit is, at last, over. All 197 participating countries adopted the so-called Glasgow Climate Pact, despite an 11th hour intervention by India in which the final agreement was watered down from “phasing out” coal to “phasing down”.
On This Day
St. Leopold’s Day – Austria
Ecological Observance
National Tree Planting Day – Sri Lanka
America Recycles Day – USA
Climate Change
‘Deeply sorry’ COP26 president breaks down as action on coal is watered down in climate deal
Government negotiators from nearly 200 countries have adopted a new deal on climate action after a last-minute intervention by India to water down the language on cutting emissions from coal.
What are the key points of the Glasgow climate pact?
Analysis: Cop26 delegates made progress on emissions cuts and climate adaptation but fell short on coal
Island nations rise up as their homelands start to sink
What happens to a nation if its territories disappear under the sea? Pacific Island nations are exploring legal and diplomatic paths to retaining statehood.
Peat could be a ‘carbon bomb’ or a climate change solution
Moor, bog, fen, mire, flush, swamp, slough. Peatlands have gotten a bum rap. They’re inhospitable, useless. Too wet to plow, too dry to fish, the old farmers say.
At COP26, parties “built a bridge” – Patricia Espinosa Remarks to Close COP26
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated in, organized or followed COP26 online.
It may be incremental, but at least the COP26 climate pact mentions fossil fuels, unlike Paris
Michael Slezak
Some were quick to declare the COP26 climate talks a failure before they even started. Now, after weeks of negotiations, Michael Slezak takes a look at what they have achieved.
Glasgow ends in compromise, disappointment and a little hope
Nick O’Malley
The poor conceded to the rich on compensation, everyone agreed to India’s demands, but there’s still a chance temperature rises will be reined in.
A parade of greenwashing, COP26 was ultimately a betrayal
Louis Mitchell
We don’t just need climate action, we need climate justice, and right now we’re getting neither.
Good COP, bad COP: Climate wins and losses from Glasgow
Lesley Hughes and Wesley Morgan
Glasgow’s COP26 was not a total success, nor was it an abject failure and, despite Australia’s poor contribution, there is some cause for cautious optimism.
COP26 offers a glimmer of hope
SMH editorial
The climate change deal struck in Glasgow has many flaws, but at least it keeps the pressure on Australia to revise its weak 2030 target.
Robert Hales and Brendan Mackey
After two hard-fought weeks of negotiations, the Glasgow climate change summit is, at last, over. All 197 participating countries adopted the so-called Glasgow Climate Pact, despite an 11th hour intervention by India in which the final agreement was watered down from “phasing out” coal to “phasing down”.
Are you kidding, India? Your last-minute Glasgow intervention won’t relieve pressure to ditch coal
Bill Hare
As the United Nations climate summit opened in Glasgow, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a surprise positive announcement: a big net-zero target. The world cheered at the planet’s third-largest greenhouse gas emitter getting on board with net-zero, and the move made global headlines.
Where to find courage and defiant hope when our fragile, dewdrop world seems beyond saving
John Wiseman
The COP26 climate conference in Glasgow is over. Despite some progress, deep concerns remain about the outcomes. The final pact at least mentions the importance of exiting coal and the door remains open to ratcheting up national targets in 2022. But we’re all still on a long, hard road through wild and unfamiliar landscapes scarred by fires, floods and storms.
Global warming is the biggest business in town [$]
Andrew Bolt
If you thought global warming was about the “science”? You’re wrong. It’s about money — and every business vulture has flown in to feed on it.
Strong stomachs required for climate waters [$]
Graham Lloyd
The best way to describe the Glasgow climate outcome is haggis, a Scottish dish of minced offal stuffed into a dead sheep’s stomach, not to everybody’s taste.
A glass half-full is still a glass half-empty [$]
Hans van Leeuwen
The COP26 climate deal does not offer any prospect of containing global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius, the level now seen as a potential threshold between a liveable world and climate disaster.
The best- and worst-case scenarios for the world as COP26 ends
Paul Behrens
An environmental scientist assesses the outcomes and possibilities coming out of the climate conference in Glasgow.
National
Julie in France is getting $16,000 to switch to an EV. Spoiler: You’re not
Governments around the world are offering juicy purchase incentives to speed car ownership to EVs. Here’s what they’re offering and how it compares with Australia.
Liberal backbenchers call for more ambitious 2035 emission reduction target
A group of Liberal backbenchers facing election challenges from independent candidates have renew calls for a more ambitious 2035 emissions reduction target in the wake of the COP26 summit.
‘Laggard’ Australia may not increase 2030 climate cuts, despite agreeing to do so
The federal government won’t say if it will increase its 2030 emissions reduction target, despite being required to do so under an agreement from the Glasgow COP26 summit, in a move branded “disappointing” by Labor and climate groups.
Climate experts slam Australia’s refusal to quit coal business
Australia’s dependence on fossil fuel exports means we are stuck in a polluting past while other nations rise to the challenge of repairing the world’s atmosphere, according to climate action campaigners analysing the outcome of Glasgow’s UN summit.
COP26 a ‘cop out’ on coal, Greens say, as 2030 climate targets move to COP27 in Cairo
Australia must return to United Nations climate talks to be held next year in Egypt with a new 2030 target, say the opposition and experts as the Glasgow talks wrapped up after two weeks of negotiations.
Activists dump poo at minister’s office
Climate change activists have dumped a huge pile of manure in front of a minister’s office to protest Australia’s ‘weak’ contribution at COP26.
Minister welcomes Cop26 summit outcome but sidesteps questions on target arguing ‘we’ll continue to update our projections’
Australia calls for foreign investment to fund its clean energy target
Simon Birmingham says Australia must follow the rest of the world in its net zero commitment or risk being left behind economically.
Five questions the Morrison government must answer now it has agreed to the Cop26 pact
If Australia wants to stop being seen as a climate ‘wrecker’ it needs to increase its 2030 emissions target, phase down coal power and cut fossil fuel subsidies. Will it?
Resources-heavy ASX could be penalised on climate risks
Some argue the country’s sharemarket is at risk of being marked down by global investors, given the large roles of coal and liquified natural gas in Australia’s energy sector.
Investors want climate plans linked to director and exec pay [$]
A leading investor group has cast doubt on the capability of directors running Australia’s 15 biggest carbon-intensive companies to implement climate-related strategies.
Energy storage a ‘game-changer’ on path to net zero by 2050 [$]
Energy storage, including utility-scale batteries and pumped hydro projects, will be ‘final piece in the jigsaw’ as Australia transitions to a low-emissions economy.
Glasgow sets global stage for markets to solve climate crisis [$]
The new rules are critical as Australian companies will need to purchase almost 100 million tonnes of global offsets a year under Morrison’s 2050 net zero plan.
On a mission to make net zero personal [$]
When marketing guru Tim Hodgson prepared to launch his start-up platform MyNetZero last month, he knew he was entering “complicated territory”.
$1m stitch in time for Australia’s fast fashion addiction
Australians are the second-largest consumers of textiles in the world and too often we are simply throwing our clothes away, says the Federal Environment Minister.
Coalition insists 2030 target is ‘fixed’ despite Glasgow
The government says Australia’s 2030 target is “fixed” despite the Glasgow pact calling on countries to commit to more ambitious 2030 targets by November next year.
AFR readers like electric cars, back emission standards [$]
Over 60 per cent of AFR readers say their next car will be an electric one.
Australia welcomes positive outcomes at COP26
Angus Taylor
The Morrison Government welcomes the finalisation of the Paris Rulebook at COP26 in Glasgow.
How will net zero shape the future? With job gains and losses. It’s inevitable
Gareth Hutchens
The history of the Holden car company shows how technology and politics shapes the fortunes of workers.
Ketan Joshi
The modelling was delayed until the final Friday of COP26 to avoid embarrassment. But it’s even worse than expected
Maybe David Pocock should be Prime Minister
Andrew Chounding
Could a rugby player be the answer to Australia’s climate woes?
The government’s net-zero modelling shows winners, we’ve found losers as well
Philip Adams
On Friday November 12, after a wait of a fortnight, the government released a 100-page summary of the modelling and analysis behind its claim that an emissions target of net-zero by 2050 would leave the economy no worse off.
John Quiggin
The response to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement of an electric vehicle policy has focused on its inconsistency with his derisive statements in 2019 that the technology would “end the weekend”.
Extinction Rebellion has competition in climate alarmism stakes [$]
Tim Blair
We’re all familiar with Extinction Rebellion’s protests, and now a rival climate group is here – but don’t ask about their demands, because they don’t have any.
Coalition needs to fast-track its electric vehicles plan [$]
Zali Steggall
Australia is still at the starting line when it comes to electric vehicles while the rest of the developed world is well in the race.
Trenches about to be dug as Glasgow target sets up political battlefield [$]
Joe Kelly
There is no reprieve for Scott Morrison from the Glasgow climate summit. Months out from an election, the climate pact will sharpen the contest between Labor and the Coalition over targets. And the battleground is not 2050. It’s all about the end of the decade.
Our climate stance helps legitimise slower action by others [$]
Cheryl Durrant
Climate change has the characteristics of an “asymmetric prisoner’s dilemma”, the game where the best outcome for all players – in this instance a safe environment for humanity – is achieved if everyone cooperates.
Australia’s missed energy opportunity in Glasgow [$]
Ross Garnaut
standing with China, Brazil and Russia at COP26, Australia failed to support the global progress critical to its future as a low carbon superpower.
Miners versus farmers in climate plan [$]
John Kehoe
If technology fails to deliver, a bigger cost to miners would be a wealth distribution to farmers to achieve the final 15 per cent of emissions reductions to hit net-zero by 2050.
The net zero modelling that only the Nationals could love [$]
Steven Hamilton
The government’s modelling tells us nothing meaningful about its climate ‘plan’ because the real purpose was to convince wavering Nationals to back the net zero target.
COP26 clarifies economic realities of emissions cuts [$]
Australian editorial
The nation is doing its fair share but, sensibly, is not going beyond it.
COP26 increases 2030 pressure on Morrison [$]
AFR editorial
The Glasgow climate deal requiring all nations to “revisit and strengthen” their emissions targets comes as the government seeks to turn climate policy into an election wedge.
PM needs to act on climate, not deflect responsibility
Letters
Our Prime Minister is now dumping the blame for our country’s lack of progress on climate action onto the technology sectors he and his xxxx have held back.
Victoria
Conservative approach to net zero would still benefit economy, modelling shows
New economic modelling shows most Victorian regions would see strong employment and economic growth if Australia transitions to a fully net zero economy.
Victorian mum wages war on waste, one lunch box at a time
No Packet November has gone online this year, but for the nutritionist behind the campaign, the message is still the same — get your kids eating better food with less waste and we all stand to benefit.
Indigenous-run oyster farm to help Victoria crack the market, restore a tradition
A partnership between the state’s fisheries authority and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation will grow oysters native to Victoria at Lakes Entrance.
New South Wales
Indigenous leaders welcome renaming of national park over links to ‘blackbirding’
Indigenous elders have welcomed the announcement that the name of a controversial historical figure will be removed from a national park on the NSW far south coast due to links to slavery.
Sydney plagued by public transport failures despite billions spent on infrastructure
From cracks on trams to trains that are too wide for tunnels, the delivery of public transport services across NSW has been riddled with problems.
NSW public transport: how a new funding body drew accusations of safety risks and cooking the books
An inquiry into the state government’s transport system has heard of a $10bn budget blowout and claims of ‘professional attacks’ by officials
Toxic Beaches Link construction waste to be shipped to Newcastle
Sludge containing a cocktail of toxic chemicals and heavy metals will be dug up from Sydney’s Middle Harbour and shipped to Newcastle as part of construction of the Northern Beaches Link.
Why are NSW bureaucrats calling for a radical surge in immigration? Here’s their economic logic
Gareth Hutchens
What would happen to our standard of living if our immigration intake surged by 2 million in five years? Some economists believe it could help the economy bounce back from COVID.
Queensland
COP26: Still hope for Reef but time is running out
The final declaration from the COP26 conference gives some hope for our oceans and reefs but in the race to limit warming to 1.5C, Australia needs to get a move on, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) says.
Designs for two new Brisbane green bridges unveiled
New concept designs for the Toowong to West End and St Lucia to West End bridges were unveiled by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner on Monday, with both projects expected to take about two years to complete.
COP’s coal ‘phase down’ a green light for Queensland: Canavan [$]
The Glasgow COP26 climate summit has agreed to watered down version of the pledge against fossil fuels. Here’s what it means for Queensland mines.
South Australia
Could we ever see a platypus in the Torrens again [$]
A key stretch of the River Torrens will be renewed with a $5m plan, and local experts would love to bring back a native animal not seen there since the 1880s.
Tasmania
Midland Highway upgrades north of Campbell Town to see loss of at least 520 trees [$]
The government plans to remove at least 520 trees including threatened woodland as part of works to widen sections of the Midland Highway north of Campbell Town for median barriers, more U-turn areas and an overtaking lane.
Northern Territory
Pressure on Beetaloo gas amid net zero goal [$]
Australia’s decarbonisation target will likely add to pressure from shareholder groups on energy companies’ investment plans, especially for long-dated projects such as gas exploration in the Northern Territory.
Western Australia
The future of commuting in Perth is electric, as new e-rideable safety laws set for Christmas
There are more people on the road and fewer people on the bus or train in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Could the rise of ‘active transport’ like electric bikes and scooters help restore the balance?
Sustainability
Adani to invest $70 bn in renewable energy, produce cheapest hydrogen
Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), the world’s largest solar power developer, is targeting 45 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and will invest USD 20 billion to develop a 2 GW per year solar manufacturing capacity by 2022-23.
There’s an $80-billion hole in India’s net zero pledge by 2070 at Glasgow
It’s a daunting target. The share of renewables in the country’s current energy mix is only 12%. Besides, the third-largest emitter would guzzle 2.5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030, almost double what it required at the start of the decade.
On Delhi’s toxic river, prayers to a sun struggling to shine through smog
Every year, a four-day festival to the sun god Surya highlights the Indian city’s extreme air and water pollution, with a river so filled with foam it resembles a blizzard’s aftermath.
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