New climate minister says calls to raise Labor’s emissions target are ‘odd’ and asks Greens and independents to ‘respect our mandate across the country’

Environmental Protection Agency apologises over lack of community consultation over soil dumping

Despite farmers planting a record 24m hectares this year, higher fuel and fertiliser costs mean produce prices will remain high

Exclusive: PM told there could be eight years’ decline before any gains despite already being at ‘rock bottom’The government has set damaging and illogical targets for species recovery in England that could mean there is eight years of decline before any improvement, despite already being at “rock bottom”, scientists have warned the prime minister.Twenty-three leading scientists from institutions including Oxford and Cambridge universities, the Natural History Museum, the Zoological Society of London and the RSPB have written to Boris Johnson expressing their alarm over the nature targets. Continue reading...

Recent revelations that Democratic West Virginian senator quietly made millions from his coal business could come back to haunt him as he eyes a run for re-electionNancy Hilsbos, a former coalminer living in the West Virginia county that Senator Joe Manchin calls home, barely noticed the nondescript office block she passed almost daily.The property, at the top of a rise on the road out of the small city of Fairmont, bears a large sign: “Manchin Professional Building”. Nameplates announce the offices of accountants, financial advisers and insurers. But there is no mention of the most profitable and influential company registered at the address – the Democratic senator’s own firm, Enersystems. Continue reading...

The billions now going to fossil fuel exploitation could have funded efficiency measures that cut energy bills for goodBillions of pounds given away in a tax break for UK oil and gas exploitation could have permanently cut the energy bills of 2m homes by £342 a year if invested in insulation measures, according to a green thinktank.Rishi Sunak announced the 91% tax break alongside a windfall tax on the huge profits of oil and gas companies last week. The E3G thinktank calculated that the tax break would hand between £2.5bn and £5.7bn back to the oil companies over three years, while an energy efficiency programme of £3bn over the same period would upgrade 2.1m homes making them less reliant on gas. Continue reading...

New data shows ‘mystifying’ lack of progress in post-Brexit pledge to curb bottom-trawling, two years after landmark legislationMore than 90% of Britain’s offshore marine protected areas are still being bottom-trawled and dredged, two years after analysis of the extent of destructive fishing exposed them as “paper parks”, according to data shared with the Guardian.The UK’s network of marine parks, set up to safeguard vulnerable areas of the seabed and marine life, is a cornerstone of the government’s target to protect 30% of ocean biodiversity by 2030. Continue reading...

Report into contaminated soil at site of West Gate Tunnel finds environmental watchdog did its job, but failed to convince the community

EDF Energy tells staff reactors will be shut down in summer despite concerns of blackouts later this yearThe owner of one of the UK’s six nuclear power plants has said it will not extend its life beyond a planned shutdown in summer, despite officials raising concerns over the danger of blackouts in the months that follow.The French-owned EDF Energy sent a memo to staff on Monday in which it said it would not postpone the closure of the two reactors at Hinkley Point B in Somerset, which are scheduled to be shut down on 8 July and 1 August. Continue reading...

With electricity bills soaring, a national Renewable Electricity Storage Target may be one way of achieving lower emissions – and lower prices

Queen’s Green Canopy scheme’s ‘platinum supporters’ include firms that have been connected to environmental harm, say campaignersThe Queen’s jubilee tree planting scheme has been sponsored by companies with links to deforestation, say campaigners.Across the country, people have been asked to “plant a tree for the jubilee” in honour of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. Continue reading...

UK scientists say carbon capture is ‘hard and expensive’ and focus must be on reducing emissionsMany of the UK’s top scientists working on carbon capture technologies do not believe they will be developed and scaled up in time to reach net zero and limit global heating to 1.5C.Experts speaking at a Greenhouse Gas Removal Hub event in London warned that these techniques, including direct air capture, biofuels, biochar, afforestation and advanced weathering, are not a silver bullet and should make up just a fraction of the efforts to decarbonise. Continue reading...

Terminally ill and disorientated orca believed to have been suffering from disease not seen before in EuropeA gravely ill orca which became separated from its pod and swam dozens of miles up the Seine in France has died of natural causes, the campaign group Sea Shepherd said on Monday, after attempts to guide it back to sea failed.“We found him late this morning,” said Lamya Essemlali, the chair of Sea Shepherd France. Continue reading...

Ministers from world’s biggest economies reach agreement that could shift estimated $33bn a year to clean energy sourcesThe world’s biggest economies are to stop funding any overseas fossil fuel development from the end of this year, in a move likely to choke off some of the investment in “carbon bombs” that are imperilling efforts to meet the world’s climate targets.The agreement could shift about $33bn (£26bn) a year from fossil fuels to clean energy sources, according to analysts’ estimates. Continue reading...

What happens from here is unclear, but the company’s turmoil can’t be divorced from the Coalition’s policy failures

Niue is creating a marine park to protect its waters, an area the size of Vietnam, from illegal fishingThe Pacific island state of Niue has announced that it will protect 100% of the ocean in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which spans 317,500 sq km (122,000 sq miles), roughly the area of Vietnam.The water that surrounds one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls is the only place where the katuali is found – a sea snake that lives in the island’s honeycomb of underwater caves. Humpback whales migrate to Niue from Antarctica to give birth, spinner dolphins swim near the coast and Niue boasts the world’s highest density of grey reef sharks. Continue reading...

Outgoing MP, who lost seat to a teal independent, says party needs to accept ALP has a mandate if it wants to regain inner-city seats at next election

Company’s chairman and chief executive to resign, along with two other board members

Remains removed as a result of ‘dispute between Aboriginal communities’, Heritage NSW says

A recent clampdown on illegal oil refineries in Rivers State was welcomed by campaigners alarmed at the mounting medical toll on those living in the area. But will it have a lasting impact?Several clusters of thick black soot clasp to the lungs of a 24-year-old man in a photo taken while he was being operated on by Iboroma Aku Shed in the oil-rich Nigerian city of Port Harcourt.Doctors opened up his chest intending to repair a hole in his diaphragm, but during the operation last year they became aware of the charred condition of his lungs. Continue reading...

Anti-logging protesters reject state governments’ claims new laws are necessary to protect workers’ safety

Downpours batter two cities on Atlantic coast in country’s fourth major flood in five monthsAt least 35 people have died amid heavy rainfall in north-eastern Brazil on Friday and Saturday, as downpours lashed two major cities on the Atlantic coast, in what is the South American nation’s fourth major flooding event in five months.In the state of Pernambuco, at least 33 people had died as of Saturday afternoon, as rains caused landslides that wiped away hillside urban neighbourhoods, according to the state’s official Twitter account. Another 765 people were forced to leave their homes, at least temporarily, according to the state government. Continue reading...

He’s hoping news of the windfall tax will wash away all memories of the Sue Gray report Continue reading...

Experts say cities are failing to grapple with the deadly threat after discovery of bodies in senior housing facilityTemperatures barely climbed into the 90s and only for a couple of days. But the discovery of the bodies of three women inside a Chicago senior housing facility this month left the city looking for answers to questions that were supposed to be addressed decades ago and are causing alarm as the planet heats.The city – and the country – face the reality that because of the climate crisis, deadly heatwaves can strike just about anywhere, don’t only fall in the height of summer and need not last long to be a threat. Continue reading...

The world’s longest serving environment correspondent explains the origins of a slow and continuing journeyIt all began with Högertrafikomläggningen, Swedish for “the right-hand traffic reorganisation”.On 3 September 1967, Sweden switched from driving on the left to driving on the right. The change mainly took place at night, but in Stockholm and Malmö all traffic stopped for most of the weekend while intersections were reconfigured. Continue reading...

Caroline Dennett says she has been flooded with support after decision that has cost ‘around 60%-70% of my business’Caroline Dennett’s eye was caught by a placard with two stark words: “insiders wanted”. The safety consultant was watching a video of Extinction Rebellion climate protesters who had glued themselves inside Shell’s headquarters in April and were encouraging employees to jump ship to aid its cause.This week Dennett, who runs the independent agency Clout, released a bombshell video severing ties with Shell after an 11-year business relationship. She emailed 1,400 Shell employees and accused the £177bn behemoth of causing “extreme harms” to the environment and having a “disregard for climate change risks”. Continue reading...

The animals are a crucial part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Newhaven scheme to reintroduce 11 vulnerable native mammals

A drone emitting orca sounds will be used in attempt to guide the animal, whose health is fast deterioratingAn orca lost in France’s River Seine is to be guided back to sea using sounds made by the species under a last-ditch plan to save the animal’s life.The local prefecture said it would monitor the animal, also known as a killer whale, from a distance with a drone while emitting orca communications in an attempt to guide it back to the sea, following a meeting with national and international scientists, including marine mammal specialists. Continue reading...

Firm says Sunak’s levy creates uncertainty and asks for tax relief that covers investment in renewablesShell has said Rishi Sunak’s windfall tax is a threat to investment in North Sea oil and gas as Britain attempts to ramp up domestic energy supplies.The chancellor yesterday announced an “energy profits levy” on oil and gas operators that he hopes will raise £5bn to help fund a support package for households. Continue reading...

Study finds Pacific rattlesnakes, which can’t control their own temperature, prefer places where the climate averages 80FMany species are suffering at the hands of a warmer world, but one California inhabitant seems to be enjoying hotter temperatures: the Pacific rattlesnake. Their populations across the south-west are thriving, according to a study by researchers at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the University of Michigan.The study found that when given the choice, rattlesnakes – which cannot control their own temperature and rely on the environment for warmth – actually prefer to live in places where the climate averages more than 80F, suggesting they’re likely to do well as the planet gets hotter. Continue reading...

Rosemary Penwarden says the vehicle, powered by home rooftop solar, has been running smoothly for three years and has thanked oil companies for the motivationA New Zealand woman has converted a 29-year-old wreck into a homemade, electric vehicle, “to show it can be done”.Rosemary Penwarden has been driving her converted vehicle around South Island roads for three years now. The project took her and a friend more than eight months of solid work and tinkering. “You do have to be a little bit mad,” she said. “I want to thank the oil companies for the motivation.” Continue reading...

Exclusive: Environmental groups criticise NFU for helping companies to fight Defra rules on nitrates in waterwaysEnvironmental groups have criticised the National Farmers Union for helping hundreds of agricultural businesses to push back against measures designed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to protect vulnerable rivers in the UK.Working with the specialist consultancy Hafren Water, the NFU has helped at least 200 land users in nearly 40 river basins and groundwater catchments to fight against “nitrate vulnerable zone” designations, according to documents made available to the union’s members. Continue reading...

Officers block access to vehicle to keep pair of herring gulls undisturbedYou may think they have plenty of conventional spots – cliffs, islands, seaside rooftops, chimney pots – to nest on.But a pair of herring gulls have opted to construct their nest on the roof of a Dorset police car, taking it out of action because they are a protected species and cannot be disturbed. Continue reading...

Pink sea fan, at risk from bottom-trawling, predicted to spread northwards around coast up to Scotland as sea temperatures rise

Legislation makes no mention of skins, feet, ears and tails so these can continue to be bought and soldElephant skins, feet, ears and tails will continue to be traded in the UK even after next month’s ivory ban comes into force, it has been revealed.The government has been praised for its Ivory Act 2018, effective from next month, making the purchase and sale of elephant tusks punishable by fines of up to £250,000 or up to five years in prison. Continue reading...

Horticulturist Lottie Delamain created a garden at Chelsea flower show using plants that can be used to make fabrics and dyesGardeners are fighting back against the toxic chemicals used by the fashion industry – by using plants to dye their clothes.The horticulturist Lottie Delamain created a garden for the activist movement Fashion Revolution at Chelsea flower show using plants that can be used to make fabrics and dyes. She became so enthused by experimenting with using plants to make clothes dyes that she has dyed many of her own garments using flowers and even tree branches from her own plot at home. Continue reading...

Rising greenhouse gases have caused Lake Palcacocha to swell in size which makes the area at risk for a devastating outburst floodIn a global first for climate breakdown litigation, judges from Germany have visited Peru to determine the level of damage caused by Europe’s largest emitter in a case that could set a precedent for legal claims over human-caused global heating.Judges and court-appointed experts visited a glacial lake in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca mountain range this week to determine whether Germany’s largest electricity provider, RWE, is partially liable for the rise in greenhouse gases that could trigger a devastating flood. Continue reading...

The growing trend for imported olive trees has brought hoards of invasive snakes to the Spanish island, threatening the future of its wall lizardFar below the Ibiza sun, a solitary lizard fidgets across the baking rocks on the southern tip of the island, happily oblivious to what may lurk ahead.After 6m years of isolated evolution, the Ibiza wall lizard, whose scaly finery runs from cobalt blue to acid green, is facing an existential threat summed up in the Catalan phrase sargantanes o serps: lizards or snakes. Over the past two decades, the wall lizards have completely disappeared from some areas of Ibiza and the neighbouring island of Formentera thanks to the rapid proliferation of invasive, non-venomous horseshoe whipsnakes and ladder snakes. Continue reading...

The best of this week’s wildlife pictures, including hungry seagulls, a puffin census and a shy stingray Continue reading...

Rallen has steadfastly opposes fracking on its land amid fossil fuel firm’s ‘unprecedented’ legal action to force access

Report says Adani’s Carmichael mine in central Queensland seems ‘rather a political decision, not an economically driven one’

New treasurer says Labor is ‘not contemplating’ extending fuel excise cut or low and middle income tax offset

Strong climate action could wipe $756bn from individuals’ pension funds and other investments in rich countriesIndividuals in rich countries face huge financial losses if climate action slashes the value of fossil fuel assets, a study shows, despite many oil and gas fields being in other countries.The researchers estimated that existing oil and gas projects worth $1.4tn (£1.1tn) would lose their value if the world moved decisively to cut carbon emissions and limit global heating to 2C. By tracking many thousands of projects through 1.8m companies to their ultimate owners, the team found most of the losses would be borne by individual people through their pensions, investment funds and share holdings. Continue reading...

Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree were pioneers of rewilding in the UK. Now they are setting their sights on regenerative agriculture, which will supply food to a new farm shop and cafeIt’s odd to hear the owners of the UK’s pioneering rewilding project at Knepp estate in West Sussex gushing about farming. But Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree are returning to a sector they left 20 years ago. In 2000, they let their unprofitable dairy and arable farm go to seed. Now Knepp Wildland is a 1,400 hectare (3,500 acre) rewilding project, home to a smörgåsbord of remarkable wildlife, including critically endangered nightingales and turtle doves. It is a success story that has inspired many to think differently about land, and how much wildlife we should expect in our countryside.Now, another chapter is being added to the Knepp story, as the last 150 hectares of land is amalgamated into the project. For decades, land scattered around the villages of Shipley and Dial Post was run by a tenant farmer who used it for grazing sheep. But the farmer has left and it is being scruffed up and transformed into the Knepp estate regenerative farm, which will supply local food to a new farm shop and cafe, due to open later this year. They are also opening a market garden, which will make use of manure from the cows. Knepp visitors will be able to go on farm safaris, just like they do on the rewilding project. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Fears over regulator’s ability to cope with planned expansion in nuclear energyThe number of formal reports documenting security issues at the UK’s civil nuclear facilities has hit its highest level in at least 12 years amid a decline in inspections, the Guardian can reveal.Experts said the news raised concerns about the regulator’s capacity to cope with planned expansion in the sector. Continue reading...

Foreign minister uses speech in Fiji to declare ‘this is a different Australian government’ that will act responsibly on climate change

The tree, in Chile’s Alerce Costero national park, is known as the Great-Grandfather and could be more than 5,000 years oldScientists in Chile believe that a conifer with a four-metre-thick trunk known as the Great-Grandfather could be the world’s oldest living tree, beating the current record-holder by more than 600 years.A new study carried out by Dr Jonathan Barichivich, a Chilean scientist at the Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory in Paris, suggests that the tree, a Patagonian cypress, also known as the alerce milenario, could be up to 5,484 years old. Continue reading...

Parliamentary committee also recommends cut-off date for sale of diesel and petrol cars

Five projects to receive funding from Defra and Natural England to tackle wildlife loss and improve access to natureUp to 99,000 hectares of land in England, from city fringes to wetlands, will be focused on supporting wildlife in five major “nature recovery” projects, the government has said.The five landscape-scale projects in the West Midlands, Cambridgeshire, the Peak District, Norfolk and Somerset aim to help tackle wildlife loss and the climate crisis, and improve public access to nature.The picture on this article was changed on 26 May 2022, from one of Herefordshire’s Wye Valley, to the Peak District’s Wye Valley referred to in the article. Continue reading...

Customers in NSW could see power bill increases of up to 18%, South Australia almost 20% and parts of Queensland could see rises of 12%