24 h. ago Former UN climate chief urges Australia to set ‘prosperity’ target of cutting emissions by 75% by 2035

Exclusive: Ambitious emissions reductions target would increase the country’s chance of winning rights to host Cop31 in 2026, Christiana Figueres saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former UN climate chief has urged the Australian government to set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least a 75% cut by 2035, backing calls from a group of more than 350 businesses that it would be better for the economy than a lower goal.The intervention by Christiana Figueres, an architect of the 2015 Paris agreement when she was the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, comes before discussions about Australia’s commitment, due to be announced next month. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago UK’s richest set to produce 13 times more transport emissions than poorest by 2035

Thinktank predicts wider inequality gap and calls for revised policies to tackle flying and excess private car useInequality in transport emissions between the richest and the poorest in the UK is set to widen dramatically over the next decade, an analysis has found.The most affluent and mobile already produce 10 times more carbon through their domestic travel than the poorest and least mobile. Under current decarbonisation policies, thinktank researchers forecast this to grow to 13 times by 2035. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Australia police shooting suspect named as urgent manhunt enters its second day

Two police officers were shot and killed in the rural Victoria town of Porepunkah

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong democracy activist granted asylum after fleeing to Australia

Activist convicted in Hong Kong urges Australia not to forget prisoners like Jimmy Lai

Events

2 w. ago Aviva stands by climate goals in face of US and UK net zero pushback

As insurer’s shares hit highest level since 2008, CEO says plans important as extreme weather events riseAviva’s chief executive Amanda Blanc has reiterated the insurer’s commitment to climate goals in the face of growing pushback against net zero ambitions in the US and UK.The comments came as Aviva’s shares on Thursday hit their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, with investors cheering a rise in profits, and fresh payouts for investors worth 13.1p a share. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Breakthrough therapy helps worst chronic low back pain sufferers feel better... and it lasts for years

Researchers in Australia are now urging other doctors to prescribe their patients the therapy, saying it could reduce symptoms of back pain for up to three years.

Politics

2 w. ago Facial recognition vans to be deployed across Britain to help police target serious criminals

The Home Office has announced 10 new Live Facial Recognition vans will be distributed across seven forces, allowing officers to use cutting-edge technology to target and locate wanted criminals

Events

3 w. ago Scientists decry Trump energy chief’s plan to ‘update’ climate reports: ‘Exactly what Stalin did’

Ex-fossil fuel executive Chris Wright said administration is reviewing national assessments made by past governmentsThe US energy secretary, Chris Wright, is facing growing criticism from scientists who say their “worst fears” were realized when Wright revealed that the Trump administration would “update” the US’s premier climate crisis reports.Wright, a former oil and gas executive, told CNN’s Kaitlin Collins earlier this week that the administration was reviewing national climate assessment reports published by past governments. Continue reading...

Politics