A new report argues that energy ministers will need to increase the benefits to regional communities that host large-scale solar, wind and transmission infrastructure if governments want to ensure continued support for renewable energy. The report is published by the Australia Institute and the Sydney Environment Institute and will be launched by independent NSW MPs

The current gas price crisis faced by Eastern Australia is the direct result of the export market exposing the Australian gas market to volatile international gas prices. Australia Institute research shows that there is no gas supply problem in Eastern Australia, with the amount of gas consumed by Australian households and industry dwarfed by the

Skyrocketing energy prices across Eastern Australia are almost entirely a result of Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels. Coal and gas exports have linked domestic energy prices to global prices, exposing Australia to volatile global prices. Producers are now making windfall profits from both Australian and global consumers. Gas prices have reached record levels across eastern

Transitioning Victoria and Australia’s bus fleets to zero emissions by 2030 must be a central component of any credible transport decarbonisation strategy, according to a new research report from the Australia Institute. The report, Next Stop: Zero Emissions Buses by 2030’, has been launched with new polling revealing the overwhelming majority of Victorians (71%) support

Documents obtained under freedom of Information show the Victorian Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project, that uses brown coal to make hydrogen, is unlikely to meet its claimed emissions reductions of 1.8 million tonnes, and is more likely to increase emissions by up to 3.8 million tonnes, the equivalent to adding up to 735,000 cars

New analysis of data published by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) shows that five of the gas industry’s most prominent companies have paid no income tax for at least the past seven years, despite a combined income from their Australian operations of $138 billion. Four of the five members of the Australian Petroleum Production &

A new research report released today has found that by hosting the UN’s largest climate event (COP29 in 2024) in partnership with Pacific neighbours, Australia could ease diplomatic tensions in the region, in addition to tackling climate change and stimulating local tourism and hospitality. The report comes as Australia’s relations with the Solomon Islands have

The Australian Government’s controversial $4.5 billion Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) has today come under renewed calls for a root-and-branch review. The call comes following revelations by the former chair of the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee that up to 80% of Australian carbon credits lack integrity. A new research report, launched today by the

Today’s Quarterly Energy Dynamics report (QED) from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) reveal electricity prices have increased 140 percent in the last 12 months, mainly driven by high coal prices and breakdowns at coal power stations. Price rises have been highest in the most coal dependent states of NSW and Queensland. Queensland prices are currently

“Australia Institute research shows the Net Zero by 2050 plan is a fraud while it continues funding technologies that extend the use of gas and coal, and increasing Australia’s emissions,” said Richie Merzian, climate & energy program director at the Australia Institute. “Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology has failed to meet every major target

A new research report by The Australia Institute has revealed the country has only increased its reliance on imported transport fuels since the federal government released its dire interim Liquid Fuel Security Report in early 2019. The research finds that Australia’s transport fuels are highly vulnerable to international prices and supply chains and yet demand-side

“Australia’s electricity grid is not fit-for-purpose and requires additional investment. The long-term benefits include a more stable grid and cheaper power prices thanks to onboarding more renewables,” said Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director at the Australia Institute. “The evidence shows that wholesale electricity prices have increased in every jurisdiction in the National Electricity

Statement in response to Federal Government announcement it seeks to delay coal fired power plant closures by introducing new rules that five years’ notice must be provided before closing power stations. “What we are seeing is another knee-jerk reaction from Minister Taylor because Australia’s Energy Minister was left out of key negotiations on Australia’s largest

An overwhelming majority of Tasmanians (76%) are concerned about the dire state of Tasmania’s coastal waters and oceans amid a landmark law review aimed at protecting the marine environment and economy, according to new research from the Australia Institute Tasmania. The new polling supports the Australia Institute Tasmania’s call for a marine law overhaul, contained

“The IPCC has released a definitive guide to halting climate change. The tools are available to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees, what is missing is the political ambition to meet this challenge,” said Richie Merzian, climate & energy program director at the Australia Institute. “The cost of technologies with the greatest potential to reduce

“Today’s decision by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) decision to approve this coal mine is no joke for our climate,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute. “The IPC has got it wrong on climate, tax and economics. The decision to approve Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri mine extension to 2044 is reckless and

The Federal Government Budget 2022 has cut the fuel excise by 22 cents for a six month period. “The fuel excise cut is bad economic management, bad economic policy, and bad policy full stop,” said Richie Merzian, climate & energy director at the Australia Institute. “For the last nine years this government has kept Australians

Fossil fuel subsidies cost Australians a staggering $11.6 billion in 2021-22, an increase of $1.3 billion in the last year, according to new Australia Institute research.

New research released by The Australia Institute reveals the extent to which fossil fuel companies and other big emitters influenced the Clean Energy Regulator (CER)’s carbon offset rules around carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.

The new South Australian Labor Government has been encouraged to move ahead with its promised scrapping of the state based EV Tax sooner rather than later, due to the rapidly increasing cost of petrol and confirmation that the Federal Government is considering options for a national tax on electric cars. Background: Laws introducing a South

“The new IPCC report on climate Impacts paints a dire picture of the reality of climate change now and the limits available to adapt to a warming world. The best response remains rapid emissions reductions while cushioning the impacts through greater research and spending on adaptation. “It’s unbelievable and irresponsible that after all the devastating

New research reveals the economic benefits of the proposed Narrabri Whitehaven Coal Mine would be reduced to zero in the event a basic carbon price was included in its assessment. In a submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the Australia Institute details how Whitehaven corporation have overstated the economic benefits of the proposed mine,

Extreme heat days over 35 degrees are projected to increase five-fold in Western Sydney, where areas such as Penrith could experience up to 58 days (almost two months) of extreme heat per year. This landmark HeatWatch report is by the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program is in partnership with Sweltering Cities. HeatWatch uses CSRIO-BoM

A unique combination of advantages has handed Australia a historic chance to become a sustainable global manufacturer of electric vehicles – provided the federal government acts swiftly and decisively, according to new research by the Australia Institute’s Carmichael Centre.

New research released by The Australia Institute shows that new investment in the resource sector is overwhelmingly focused on electrification minerals rather than fossil fuels. Key Findings: In the last year, 42 companies targeting electrification minerals listed on the ASX compared to just one fossil fuel company. The newly listed resource companies look to produce

New research from The Australia Institute shows that virtually no tax or royalty is paid on two thirds of the gas exported from Western Australia. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) worth $27 billion was exported from WA last year, while only $430m went to the State Government, just 1% of state budget revenue. Twice as much

Statement in response to draft Integrated System Plan 2022 from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) “The energy market operator has finally mapped out an ambitious energy future aligned with the Paris Agreement. The plan aims to rapidly phase out coal power while increasing energy supply to help electrify everything like our cars, homes and industries.

New research from the Australia Institute and Quit Nukes reveals most major Australian superannuation funds have holdings in nuclear weapons companies, such as Airbus, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. While many exclude so-called ‘controversial weapons’, they do not include nuclear weapons in the definition and continue to invest in nuclear weapons companies. Nearly one year into

A new Australia Institute report details how fossil fuel producer Santos intends to use the Federal Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) to increase oil and gas production. Key findings: Santos company documents show that its Moomba carbon capture and storage (CCS) project will be used for ‘Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)’, where captured CO2 is used

Labor has announced its climate platform which includes setting a 43% by 2030 emissions target. It has committed to gradually tightening Safeguard baselines from Australia’s biggest polluters, but has not clarified whether these baselines will lead to absolute reductions or reductions in emissions intensity. “An increased 2030 target is a good first step, however the