Electrification is much more efficient than combustion technologies:
J. Rosenow, Prof. Energy & Climate Policy, Oxford Uni.

An electric car uses about 75% less final energy than an ICE car.

A heat pump delivers about 4 times more heat for the same energy input.
janrosenow/status/19693...

Renewables lifeline for farmers
In Canberra the Farming Forever Summit highlighted how clean energy is sustaining farm livelihoods. After years of drought and falling commodity prices wind turbines helped Charlie Prell's Crookwell secure his farm's future.
onestepoffthegrid.com.au/switchedon-p...

Another Australian delivery giant signs up for 55 electric vans and trucks One of the largest delivery firms in Australia will add 55 electric vans and trucks to its fleet in a move the company says will appeal to environmentally conscious companies and consumers.

Delivery by electric vehicles
FedEx will add 55 electric vans and trucks to its fleet; beginning with 15 battery-powered trucks in Adelaide, followed by rollout in Sydney and Melbourne. This follows similar moves by ANC Delivers and Australia Post over recent weeks.
thedriven.io/2025/09/18/a...

A study by the Melb. Biodiversity Inst., the Melb. Energy Inst. & Net Zero Aust. found states could largely protect endangered animals and plants by setting aside 30% of their respective land with the highest biodiversity values and still meet renewable targets.
reneweconomy.com.au/renewables-c...

Trees alone won’t save us: new study says forestation has less potential to fix the climate than hoped Governments have pledged vast areas for new forests, but much of this land may be unsuitable.

A study in Science finds that relying on forests to offset carbon emissions could distract from the urgent need to cut fossil fuel(FF) use. Whilst tree planting can help it is not enough to keep global heating below +1.5°C. Cutting FF emissions is the top priority
theconversation.com/trees-alone-...

Climate change is already harming communities and systems essential to life in Aust. from homes to health and the economy to the environment. Millions of people will be threatened by heatwaves, megafires, rising seas and other harms in a rapidly warming world.
mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#in...

Replacing diesel with electrification is possible in mining, though, will require supporting infrastructure and policy reforms: starting with a review of the diesel rebate. Diesel-powered mining vehicles account for 30%-80% of direct emissions at a mine site.
reneweconomy.com.au/australian-i...

A recent report published in the Lancet medical journal notes
plastics are a threat to human health from womb to grave. They’re linked to miscarriages, birth defects, heart disease and cancer. >16K chemicals are used in plastic; many undisclosed by the manufacturers.
mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#se...

Climate change adds to the threats of overfishing and polluted seas; testing the ability of fish to adapt. As the ocean heats up fish try to stay in the conditions suited to them. Some species will move; others can’t relocate readily eg kelp shelters breeding fish.
mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#se...

Global renewables investment increased by 10% in the first half of 2025 cf. 2024 to a record US$386bn: driven by surging investment in small scale solar installations globally and offshore wind projects in leading markets; despite a slump in funding in the US.
mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#in...

Govt. lacking climate ambition?
Whilst struggling to meet targets (T): 82% renewables & 43% net zero by 2030 the LNP disarray on climate policy creates a get-out-of-jail-free card for setting the 2035 T. Even if an unambitious 65-75% T is set with no climate trigger it could look relatively positive

Microplastics & our health
Scientists say microplastics are in our bodies; the air we breathe, the water & food we drink/eat. Steps to cut exposure are reducing single-use plastics, checking packaging & using wooden chopping boards & metal utensils instead of plastic
mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#in...

South Korea is looking to quadruple solar power from factory rooftops and parking lots: t.co/Y7PoKO8aSU
California is also putting solar panels over car parks.
Australia has a plethora of car parks. There is ready connection to the grid.

China's GHG emissions may have peaked
Renewables growth cut CO2 emissions by 1% year-on-year in 1st half 2025. Headwinds are missed targets to cut CO2 intensity (emissions per unit/GDP); controlling both coal consumption/new capacity growth & cleaner steel making.
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-rec...

Do they meet Australian standards? Only part of the solution.

Victoria's gas phase-out initiatives
From May 2027 owner-occupied h'holds are required to replace end-of-life gas hot water systems with electric heat pumps/other efficient alternatives. A similar initiative, from March 2027 will be required for rental properties
reneweconomy.com.au/proven-corre...

Reticulated gas unviable in 10 Victorian towns
The govt. is helping 1,183 customers electrify their homes by end 2026 in the wake of a high $ gas supply program in Terang, Maldon, Marong, Heathcote, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang, Nathalia, Orbost & Lakes Entrance.
reneweconomy.com.au/proven-corre...

Home batteries are booming, but can supply keep up – and are consumers choosing wisely? - One Step Off The Grid Experts warn consumers to choose their discounted home batteries wisely, as a new report points to supply shortfalls as a "potential short-term cloud" on booming market horizon.

Can battery supply keep up?
Since mid-July the avg. daily number of systems being registered (incl. weekends) at > 800 is x5 compared to 156 in 2023; creating a supply bottleneck. Another challenge is choosing wisely the battery size and functionality #auspol
onestepoffthegrid.com.au/home-batteri...

Adapting sensibly to climate change will have a net job creation impact. A deteriorating environment (E) has many major $ to society includ. on health, insurability of property. Roads are a heat bank. Commuters and the E can be jointly enhanced by much improved public transport includ. shared paths.

Battery uptake to reshape grid
More than 1K battery storage systems/day have been installed since the Cheaper Home Batteries Program began on 1 July & battery size has risen by ~50% to 17kWh: facilitating h'hold electrification & reduction of exporting to the grid
reneweconomy.com.au/stunning-suc...

Wind industry in crisis as utilities and corporate buyers go on investment strike Wind industry in crisis, with no new commitments, and the major utilities showing no interest in contracting any in the short term.

Local community set the rules for renewable project developers
“Renewable energy … has really started to change how we view the economy and the opportunities that are going to come our way,”: Alison McLean, senior economic devt. officer, Hay Shire Council, SW NSW.
reneweconomy.com.au/wind-industr...

Four remote First Nations communities win funding to quit diesel, shift to renewables Four remote First Nations communities will be transitioned away from a diesel powered electricity supply to solar and battery storage-based microgrids.

4 Aboriginal communities to benefit from switch to renewables
Currently reliant on polluting diesel generation for electricity meaning high $ and low reliability. Creates opportunities for local employment and procurement & training programs to support econ. devt.
reneweconomy.com.au/four-remote-...

Fixing Australia’s broken environmental laws must be the first step in improving productivity | Ken Henry There is no chance of Australia becoming more economic resilient if we don’t have robust national laws that set clear environmental standards

Clear environmental standards enhance economic resilience
The author states there is no chance of meeting targets for net zero, renewable energy, critical minerals devt., housing and transport infrastructure without robust environmental laws for major projects.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Australia, why are you still obsessed with freeways – when they’re driving us away from net zero? Expanding freeway networks undermines climate action. It points to a deep-seated flaw in Australia’s urban planning systems which must be solved.

Freeways hindering achievement of net zero by 2050
GHG emissions from transport are forecast to become the largest source of emissions by 2030. The need for emissions reduction, though, is typically not fully integrated into transport and land use policies #auspol
theconversation.com/australia-wh...

China's green energy boom could spell the end of the fossil fuel age China has put its economic might behind renewable technologies in a desire to stop relying on imported fossil fuels.

Renewable energy is the most secure form
It reduces/eliminates the need for imports and associated major $. It’s a stable cost; locked in upon connection to the grid along with the price. Australia gets insulated from both these risks if we have more renewable energy.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

China's green energy boom could spell the end of the fossil fuel age China has put its economic might behind renewable technologies in a desire to stop relying on imported fossil fuels.

China showing what can be achieved
In the month of April, 45.2GW of solar was added, more than Australia’s total cumulative solar power capacity.
China’s renewable capacity has exponentially increased contributing to a structural drop in coal use and emissions #auspol
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

"Zero cost" solar and battery deal launches in two states, as part of new VPP model - One Step Off The Grid A new virtual power plant deal is offering participants a rooftop solar and home battery system with no upfront cost, no financing, and no repayments.

Virtual Power Plant
Alinta Energy and National Renewable Network have launched a new VPP product, Solar Together, offering participants a rooftop solar and home battery system with zero upfront and financing costs and zero repayments.
onestepoffthegrid.com.au/zero-cost-so...

Why insurers worry the world could soon become uninsurable Günther Thallinger, a board member at Allianz, one of the world's biggest insurers, says the climate crisis could make adaptation economically unviable.

Uninsurable for climate change?
Günther Thallinger, a board member at Allianz, one of the world’s biggest insurers, says the climate crisis could make home insurance cover unaffordable, typically a prerequisite for getting a mortgage.
www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/c...

Black hole: Dozens of renewable energy projects still waiting on EPBC decision Of the renewable energy projects deemed controllable actions in 2023 and 2024, none have made it through the EPBC process.

EBPC ineffective?
There is emerging evidence on how the federal government’s EBPC Act approvals process is failing renewable energy projects, with a Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer report showing that no projects sent into the queue 2023 or 2024 have been approved.
reneweconomy.com.au/black-hole-d...

Can we cut emissions by 85% by 2035?
Yes says modelling by Climateworks Centre, Monash Uni. (The Govt. has been awaiting final advice from the Climate Change Authority before announcing a decision. The Authority’s draft suggested an indicative 65–75% cut by 2035).
theconversation.com/australia-ca...