Browsing: <a href="/tag/au">Federal</a> <i class="grey">•</i> <a href="/tag/adaptation-science">Adaptation, science</a>

• Ferguson appoints manager of $200m renewables venture capital fund
  
• 'Hockey stick' climatologist: 'we hold the future in our hands' (with video)
  
• Carbon credits rules finalised for native forest plantings
  
• Architect of EPA Victoria transformation takes up new post

With the backing of state and territory leaders, the Gillard Government today directed the Productivity Commission to inquire into laws and policies that will help the nation prepare for unavoidable climate change.

A new report by the Climate Commission says global emissions must be close to zero by 2050, while warning that focussing on sequestration might delay the essential shift to low- and zero-carbon emissions energy.

The National Farmers Federation has told a Senate inquiry that exempting agriculture from a carbon price doesn't remove competitiveness risks, while its ambivalence on climate science has raised the ire of Labor Senator Doug Cameron.

The majority of scientists 'seem to disagree' with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Professor Tim Flannery's views are 'laughable', Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald told Senate Estimates today.

Scientist Tim Flannery will head an independent Climate Commission charged with the task of explaining climate science and the role of a carbon price, with other members to include former BP Australia chief Gerry Hueston and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Roger Beale.

• NSW details criteria for approving waste re-use as fertiliser, fill
  
• Burke seeks waste experts to support national policy efforts
  
• NSW canvasses views on coastal protection regulation
  
• Combet seeks consultants to evaluate housing energy efficiency standard

• Court grants interim injunction against 'foolhardy' farmer
  
• GetUp launches campaign for Climate Disaster Fund
  
• NSW deems more wastes suitable for re-use

The Federal Government has released a series of maps detailing the vulnerability of coastal cities under low, medium and high sea-level rise scenarios over the next 90 years.

The Gillard Government will take a more hands-on approach to managing the effects of climate change on coastal infrastructure and communities, and will take steps to resolve growing insurance and liability concerns, says today's Government response to a parliamentary report.