A new $69 million utility-scale solar farm in rural Queensland is set to provide a real-time example of how renewables can benefit fringe-of-grid electricity networks and users. The Government is supporting the project with $22.8 million funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and up to $20 million debt finance through the Clean Energy Finance…
At the Global Landscapes Forum in Paris, Australia is pleased to announce that we are establishing an International Partnership for Blue Carbon. The Partnership brings together governments, non-profit organisations, intergovernmental agencies, and scientists to increase understanding of, and accelerate action on the important role of coastal blue carbon ecosystems in climate change action. Blue carbon…
At the Global Landscapes Forum in Paris, Australia is proud to announce that we are leading a new international push to create a Global Rainforest Recovery Plan – building on the success of the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Recovery Plan. Just over a year ago in Sydney, Australia hosted the inaugural Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit. Attracting more than…
The third Emissions Reduction Fund auction will be conducted by the independent Clean Energy Regulator on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 April 2016. The Clean Energy Regulator has already held two enormously successful auctions, securing 92.8 million tonnes of emissions reduction at an average price of $13.12. The average price of the first auction was…
The Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt MP today announced that Brunei Darussalam will host the second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, from 3 to 5 August 2016. Following the successful Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit held in Sydney in November 2014, the Australian Government has been leading efforts in the region to conserve, halt and reverse…
The Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt, and Ms Aida Greenbury, Managing Director of Sustainability at Asia Pulp and Paper Group, today announced the establishment of a Private Sector Roundtable to harness private sector expertise on protecting rainforest ecosystems in the region. The Asia-Pacific region is home to one of the three largest…
On Oceans Day, a commitment of $58 million in funding from the Reef Trust spearheads a suite of measures by the Australian Government to continue to build the health and resilience of the iconic Great Barrier Reef. This new commitment of $58 million between 2015 and 2019 brings the total Australian Government’s investment through the…
E&OE…. Topics: Paris climate summit, Great Barrier Reef, Blue Carbon GREG HUNT: Well I want to welcome everybody to Oceans Day at COP21. As part of Australia’s contribution to Oceans Day there are really three things I'd like to announce and address briefly. First is that under the Reef Trust we are announcing and releasing…
Australia’s work in protecting oceans from climate change and other impacts was highlighted at an event at the Paris climate change conference today. The event showcased three regional initiatives to protect oceans – the Coral Triangle Initiative, the Micronesia Challenge and the Caribbean Challenge. Australia has long supported the Coral Triangle Initiative for Coral Reefs,…
The potential for Blue Carbon to play a significant role in reducing Australia’s emissions will be the focus of a new research project under the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP). Blue Carbon – carbon stored in marine and coastal habitats – could play a significant role in reducing emissions, while also supporting biodiversity conservation, fisheries…