ACT sets sight on zero-emissions government

The ACT government plans to cut emissions by more than a third by 2025.

23 September, 2019

Local government turns unwanted straw into bioenergy

A council has taken out top honours in national bioenergy awards for converting farmers’ wasted straw pellets into energy.

5 November, 2018

Solar farms power council’s economic agenda

A regional council’s sustainability program is creating 800 construction jobs and delivering $90 million to the economy.

5 November, 2018

Landmark renewable energy deal to slash emissions

Major agreement will see 18 NSW councils secure more than a third of their retail energy from a renewable energy generator.

14 October, 2018

Councils are “leading action” on climate change

Local governments are increasingly adopting corporate emissions reduction targets but are challenged by a lack of resourcing, report finds.

21 May, 2018

$6 billion Snowy purchase agreed

After nearly a year of negotiations, the Commonwealth Government has reached an agreement with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments to take full ownership of Snowy Hydro, as the first step to its proposed Snowy 2.0 project. Under the deal, flagged in the 2017 Federal Budget, NSW will get $4.154 billion and Victoria $2.077 […]

1 March, 2018

More councils sign up for climate action

The City of Sydney, City of Darwin and Brisbane City Council have all joined the Cities Power Partnership, and initiative of the Climate Council to encourage Local Government Authorities to promote the use of clean energy. There are now 58 councils in the Partnership, representing 7 million people. “With almost 30 percent of the population […]

30 November, 2017

COAG energy meeting kicks the can down the road

Australia faces at least six more months without a national energy policy. The meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council deferred until April 2018 any decision on whether to adopt the Federal Government’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG) plan. The states did not sign up for the NEG, but asked for more modelling, […]

26 November, 2017

Renewable energy targets – a state-by state comparison

Australia is blessed – and cursed – with a federal system of government. It allows greater diversity, and also causes problems when it comes to the coordination of service delivery.

20 October, 2017

Renewables, climate and intergovernmental relations – OPINION

The Federal Government’s refusal to adopt the Chief Scientist’s recommendation for a Clean Energy Target has been roundly criticised by its political opponents. As you would expect. But what does it mean for the relationships between Australia’s different levels of government? The Government’s new policy sees the end of any subsidy for renewable energy after […]

17 October, 2017

NZ hits 85% renewables, profitably

NZ Government makes $190m from electricity, focuses on renewables and grid battery storage.

18 September, 2017

Grattan report calls for a capacity mechanism in electricity

How to make sure Australia has enough electricity in the future: Grattan Institute report.

11 September, 2017

Korean solar waste compactor could slash councils’ rubbish collection costs

Victorian council trials Clean Cube.

24 May, 2017

Community funds floating solar panels at sewage plant

Lismore leads the way.

31 August, 2016