The big four banks are under new pressure from activists to cease financing coal projects that could harm the Great Barrier Reef, while 'Lock the Gate' today sought a NSW Ombudsman's investigation into approval processes for mines.
Greenpeace and WWF have written to directors of companies including BHP Billiton, GlencoreXstrata, Chevron and Conoco Philips asking whether they expect to be personally indemnified by their companies and insurers against potential lawsuits over carbon emissions and climate change.
The local division of activist group 350.org says Australian universities should follow Stanford University's lead, after it yesterday announced it would not invest in the coal industry.
The ultimate legacy of the mining industry's resistance to the carbon price might be a much more stringent and heavy-handed regulatory regime, says Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Don Henry.
Activist groups fighting Whitehaven's Maules Creek coal mine are targeting an international investor and have urged a society representing environmental consultants to investigate whether a member has breached its code of conduct.
Large emitters that back efforts to repeal the carbon price are painting a 'a very big bullseye' on themselves, and their efforts could lead to more regulation, not less, says Australian Conservation Foundation chief Don Henry.
To make a fair contribution to global efforts, Australia must cut emissions by at least 27%, and it can't achieve cuts of that scale solely through domestic action, according to a report commissioned by WWF.