Emission targets could derail project as campaigners say net zero commitment cannot be met if expansion happens
Reeves urged to rethink plans for airports and roads
Heathrow third runway: promises, protest and U-turns
Rachel Reeves caused a furious backlash as she insisted a third runway at Heathrow was “set up for success”, despite scepticism in Whitehall that the plan can be reconciled with the UK’s climate obligations.
The chancellor made throwing the government’s weight behind Heathrow expansion the centrepiece of a major speech on growth on Wednesday.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
01/29/2025 - 14:09
01/29/2025 - 11:00
Analysis by dozens of scientists internationally notes urgent conservation efforts could halt or even reverse losses
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Genetic diversity in animals and plants has declined globally over the past three decades, an analysis of more than 600 species has found.
The research, published in the journal Nature, found declines in two-thirds of the populations studied, but noted that urgent conservation efforts could halt or even reverse genetic diversity losses.
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01/29/2025 - 10:10
As UK chancellor backs expansion at London’s biggest airport, we assess the possible environmental impacts
More climate-heating carbon emissions, more people enduring noisy aircraft over their homes and, most likely, more air pollution – these would be the environmental impacts of building a third runway at Heathrow airport, a plan that has been backed by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves.
Despite many years of lobbying for a third runway, there is no current proposal that can be analysed for its environmental impacts. However, the last proposal was extensively assessed by the Airports Commission (AC) in 2017 and remains relevant.
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01/29/2025 - 09:44
José Marí Olano says sorry after cameras appear to capture him scrolling through bottles of wines and spirits
A People’s party (PP) politician in the city of Valencia has apologised after cameras appeared to capture him shopping online for wine and spirits as his fellow city councillors debated additional funding for areas affected by October’s deadly floods.
Nearly three months after flash floods ravaged part of the Valencia region, turning streets into rivers, sweeping away cars and killing more than 220 people, many continue to reel from the worst natural disaster to hit Spain this century.
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01/29/2025 - 09:00
Australian Energy Market Operator also reports coal-fired power plants’ contribution fell below 50% for the first time
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Renewable power reached a record share of Australia’s main electricity supply in the December 2024 quarter, with the contribution of coal-fired generation dipping below 50% for the first time, the Australian Energy Market Operator said.
Renewable energy sources accounted for 46% of the overall supply mix in the national energy market (NEM), driving quarterly total emissions and emissions intensity to record low levels.
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01/29/2025 - 09:00
Correspondence released under freedom of information shows the importance minister placed on agreement
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The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, heralded a deal brokered with the Greens and independent David Pocock to create a federal environment protection agency as “critical” before it was scuttled by Anthony Albanese, new documents reveal.
Correspondence released under freedom of information confirmed Plibersek reached a written agreement with the crossbench to amend the plan in exchange for its support less than 24 hours before the prime minister intervened amid pressure from miners and the Western Australian government.
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01/29/2025 - 06:51
Critics say chancellor’s ‘growth at all costs’ plans are not compatible with UK’s climate targets
UK politics live – latest updates
Rachel Reeves has been accused by environmental experts of putting the climate at risk with high carbon projects including the expansion of Heathrow airport.
The chancellor made airports the central focus of her plan for growth, despite having previously promised to be the first green chancellor and having extolled the benefits of green growth.
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01/29/2025 - 06:13
In economic growth speech, chancellor says move would make UK ‘world’s best-connected place to do business’
Reeves urged to rethink plans for airports and roads
Heathrow third runway: promises, protest and U-turns
UK politics live – latest updates
Rachel Reeves has confirmed the government will throw its weight behind a third runway at Heathrow, in an upbeat speech setting out her plans for kickstarting the stalling UK economy.
Brushing aside doubts about the project’s compatibility with the UK’s climate commitments – including within government – Reeves said a third runway would make the UK “the world’s best-connected place to do business”.
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01/29/2025 - 06:00
Saket Soni, founder of Resilience Force, says skilled restoration workers, with a range of legal statuses, are doing the arduous task of repairing US cities affected by disasters
Trump’s immigration crackdown could cause chaos for communities trying to rebuild after devastating wildfires and floods, as the vast majority of skilled disaster-restoration workers are immigrants, a leading expert has warned.
Republican and Democratic voters across the US are reeling from climate-fueled disasters, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed and damaged by the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, as well as major hurricanes in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia last year.
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01/29/2025 - 05:01
Ministers in talks with vehicle finance sector about making more low-interest or interest-free loans available
The UK government is reportedly considering subsidising purchases of electric vehicles by guaranteeing consumer loans, as it looks at ways to boost sales that are failing to reach official targets.
Ministers have started talks with the car finance sector on how to make more low-interest or interest-free loans available to help consumers buy more EVs, according to the Financial Times.
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