Texas approves net metering rule for solar power industry

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has voted unanimously to approve a net metering rule that the solar-power industry has argued will be onerous for solar panel owners and that will discourage the development of the state’s vast solar power potential. Under the rule, which is supported by retail electric providers and recommended by the […]

ASX eyes link to NZ emissions trading scheme

The Australian Securities Exchange wants the New Zealand Government’s emissions trading scheme linked to its Australian counterpart “at the earliest opportunity”. A trans-Tasman market would boost efficiency and allow trading to cut emissions at the lowest possible price, ASX general manager of emerging markets Anthony Collins has told the New Zealand Parliament’s finance select committee. […]

Failure to curb emissions will lead to severe climatic change

Failure to curb the world’s increasing emissions of greenhouse gases will lead to more severe climatic changes that will affect developing countries the most, according to a new World Bank-International Monetary Fund report. The report, Global Monitoring Report: MDGs and the Environment—Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development, is an assessment of the world’s attempt at […]

Australia joins International Carbon Action Partnership

Australia has joined the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP), an association of governments working together on emissions trading. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed the new climate change partnership with the UK which is aimed at building a global low carbon economy and bolstering effective adaptation measures to combat increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Australia’s membership in […]

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong to join Rudd in China

Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong will join Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on the China leg of his overseas trip. Senator Wong has travelled to Beijing for a series of meetings to discuss how Australia and China can work together on

Wild weather cause power outages

Storms causing power outages in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania were caused by Cyclone Pancho, which rounded the south-western corner of Australia. It then blew out to sea before intensifying and causing mayhem across south-eastern Australia on Wednesday 2 April 2008. The Bureau of Meteorology’s severe weather expert Kevin Parkyn says the magnitude of the […]

Ferguson says coal relied on for forseeable future

“Despite the growth in renewables and nuclear power in the region, the reality is we will be reliant on coal, gas and other fossil fuels for the foreseeable future,” Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson highlighted in his speech to a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Partnership Joint Task Force in Melbourne. In his keynote address to […]

Carbon offset provider Carbon Conscious to list on ASX

Carbon offset provider Carbon Conscious is seeking to raise $8 million through listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in order to boost its generation of offset credits for use in the upcoming emissions trading scheme. The company has entered into various strategic relationships with farmers and rural land holders in Western Australia, and aims to […]

China to spend on energy efficiency

China plans to spend Y41.8 billion (A$6.5 billion) on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction schemes this year, an increase in funding of 78 per cent from 2007, the Ministry of Finance says. The Chinese Government has set national targets to reduce its emissions by 10 per cent between 2006 and 2010, and reduce […]

EnergyAustralia boosts Central Coast power

EnergyAustralia says New South Wales Central Coast households are expected to save more than $1 million on their water and energy bills and will reduce carbon emissions by almost 11,000 tonnes after taking part in their energy efficiency campaign. Energy and water saving devices were installed free of charge during March 2008 in about 3000 […]