February 2021 Newsletter

Some good things that have happened: The value of Bluewaters, the newest coal-fired power station in WA, is now zero; Lloyds of London’s insurers less interested in fossil fuel projects; proposal for Bylong coal mine rejected by Land and Environment court; battery electric vehicles made up 54.3% of all new cars sold in Norway in 2020; proposed Dendrobium mine expansion under Sydney water catchment area refused; Itochu Corporation has divested its shares in Whitehaven’s Maules Creek mine and Glencore’s Ravensworth project; Flinders Uni goes 100% renewables; New Acland’s coal mine in SE Queensland back in court; all Mirvac retail centres run on renewable energy

WHAT’S ON

Clean up Australia on 7 March. To find out where you can participate go to http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/eventslisting

Household Chemical cleanout  on 27 March. For details go to http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/eventslisting

WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING 

Made a submission to Federal treasury’s upcoming budget for grants be made available to all schools to have PV and batteries installed

Made a submission supporting Hills of Gold Wind Farm in Barnaby Joyce’s electorate

NEWS AND EVENTS

Adani The Future Fund, Australia’s sovereign wealth fund, has invested more than $3million in the Adani company’s rail link  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-16/future-fund-invests-millions-in-adani-project/12984734
Then sign the petition asking banks not to fund Adani Port https://www.marketforces.org.au/deutsche-bank-refuses-adani-ports-financing/

The federal government is incapable of acting on climate change. We have the worst climate policies of developed countries https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-climate-policies-rated-worst-of-major-developed-economies/  and technology is not enough (despite what Angus Taylor and the PM say) https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-need-incentives-technology-alone-not-enough-to-meet-pm-s-climate-target-20210202-p56yse.html
Australia’s trading partners may impose a carbon tax on agriculture exports if we don’t act on climate change https://www.stockandland.com.au/story/7114480/trade-partners-may-tax-aussie-ag-exports-if-no-carbon-neutral-target-is-set/

Angus Place Mine Sign the petititon asking this longwall mine near Lithgow not go ahead. https://www.nature.org.au/get-involved/take-action/save-this-hidden-wonderland-from-coal-mining/

Transmission lines in Kosciuszko National Park The proposed Snowy 2.0 project calls for these to be erected which will destroy a large section of the park.  Sign the petition opposing this https://npa-nsw.good.do/snowy2/no-overhead-transmission-lines/

Emission Reduction Assurance Committee Now  stocked with fossil fuel industry leaders https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/23/coalition-quietly-adds-fossil-fuel-industry-leaders-to-emissions-reduction-panel

Gas exploration in Australia  The federal government is handing out money to gas producers to open up five major gas fields despite the risk of the pipelines becoming stranded assets. https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/australia-risks-us43b-of-stranded-pipelines-20210201-p56ygw Write to your MP and ask for no money to go to these projects. https://fossilfuelwatch.good.do/nogasbailouts/email-your-mp/ Gas generation last year slumped. https://reneweconomy.com.au/transition-fuel-gas-generation-slumped-sharply-in-2020-as-wind-and-solar-surged/

Is your super fund still supporting fossil fuels? Have a look at this list of 23 companies that are involved in fossil fuels and then contact your super fund. https://www.marketforces.org.au/campaigns/super/outofline/

The Biden Effect Now Scott Morrison “prefers” a 2050 net zero emissions (not the second half of the century as he said before). The federal government has signed up to join 100 nations in a climate resilience pledge
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-to-join-100-nations-in-climate-resilience-pledge-ahead-of-un-summit-20210124-p56wg8.html and has signed up to two international agreements aiming to integrate climate risk into investment decision making https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/25/coalition-signs-australia-up-to-agreements-to-price-in-climate-risk Do we sense a federal election before the end this year?

EPBC Act Review Professor Samuels’ report https://epbcactreview.environment.gov.au/resources/final-report says we must have stronger laws to protect the environment and our iconic flora and fauna.  The federal government is trying to ignore it.  Write to the environment minister and ask all recommendations be accepted and acted on immediately. https://wilderness.good.do/SamuelFinal/FinalEPBC/

Shenhua mine Now the NSW deputy leader thinks it’s a bad idea. Read this article then ring him and say why this incredibly fertile farming area should not be mined.
https://lockthegate.good.do/watermarkcoal/callbarilaro/

Possible downgrading of oil and gas companies  The rating agency S&P has warned some of the largest oil and gas companies (including Woodside) risk being downgraded because of the trend to renewables. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/27/rating-agency-sp-warns-13-oil-and-gas-companies-they-risk-downgrades-as-renewables-pick-up-steam

2020 was a great year for renewables despite everything https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/02/last-year-was-dismal-in-many-respects-but-it-was-a-landmark-for-renewables-in-australia
And here’s some reasons to be hopeful for 2021 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/27/reasons-to-be-hopeful

Zali Steggall’s climate bill  is now at parliamentary inquiry stage https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2020/february/1580475600/paddy-manning/warringah-warrior  and has the support of industry groups and investors
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/30/zali-steggalls-climate-bill-gets-broad-backing-from-industry-groups-and-investors
Listen to the podcast as to why Australia is not embracing climate change action.
https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/the-world-is-embracing-climate-action-why-isnt-australia
Guess who were the big donors at the last federal election? https://www.marketforces.org.au/politicaldonations2021/

Net zero emissions by 2035 not 2050 if we’re to make our Paris commitment
https://reneweconomy.com.au/new-climate-panel-says-australia-needs-to-aim-for-net-zero-emissions-by-2035/

China’s carbon trading system  which was delayed is due to commence in February https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-to-launch-carbon-emissions-trading-scheme-next-month

Electric vehicles  Which ones are coming to Australia 2021? https://evcentral.com.au/every-ev-and-plug-in-hybrid-car-coming-to-australia-in-2021/
GM to produce only electric vehicles https://evcentral.com.au/gm-to-shift-to-all-electric-portfolio/
ACT government budget to help residents reduce their carbon footprint https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-21/act-electric-vehicles-free-rego-solar-panel-loans-in-budget/13077258
US government fleet to be 100% electric https://thedriven.io/2021/01/27/biden-commits-entire-us-government-vehicle-fleet-to-go-electric/
EV’s close to tipping point for mass adoption https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/electric-vehicles-close-to-tipping-point-of-mass-adoption
Where is Australia in the uptake of EV’s?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/how-is-australia-travelling-with-the-switch-to-electric-cars-20210127-p56x5n.html
Federal government rules out subsidies for EV purchase by individuals.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-government-rules-out-subsidies-in-electric-vehicle-strategy-20210204-p56zju.html

LAVO Hydrogen battery Developed in Australia https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/world-s-first-domestic-hydrogen-battery-developed-by-australian-firm-20210120-p56vkd.html

A just transition for coal workers  How would it work? https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-s-a-just-transition-and-can-you-switch-to-green-energy-without-sacking-coal-workers-20201218-p56oub.html

Protecting 30% of world’s land and ocean  Fifty countries have pledged to do this by 2030 but not Australia https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-12/50-countries-vow-to-protect-30-per-cent-of-land-and-sea-by-2030/13050048
Australia – hot spot for deforestation and the only developed country on the list of offenders https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/13/australia-the-only-developed-nation-on-world-list-of-deforestation-hotspots

Net zero, carbon neutral, carbon negative  Read what they really mean.
https://theconversation.com/net-zero-carbon-neutral-carbon-negative-confused-by-all-the-carbon-jargon-then-read-this-151382

World’ biggest battery to be built in Hunter region  A great project for this coal-dependent area https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-12/largest-battery-in-australia-to-be-built-at-nsw-coal-fired-plant/13050642

RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY

Repair Cafe The Repair Cafe is now open again but you must book ahead. Go to
https://repaircafesydneynorth.net/  then scroll down and open BOOKING ONLINE.  Alternatively you can go to https://repaircafesydneynorth.net/ and open up “Book a Repair”.  The cafe is open the first two Sundays of each month 2-4pm and is located at 180 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove.