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.
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.
The ACF has warned that it may opt for a far more combative approach if the carbon price is removed and business doesn't effectively deal with climate change.
A company will be allowed to seek approval for a full-scale oil shale plant at Gladstone, paving the way for development of massive reserves along the state's coast and prompting warnings from the Greens and environment groups.
A carbon price has been used to avoid or remove an EPBC greenhouse gas trigger, power station standards and CO2 approval conditions – but it would be 'open season' for their return if a carbon price goes, says environment group WWF.
Former Liberal leader John Hewson and ex-ACTU president Sharan Burrows are among those behind a new global campaign that says super funds are largely 'dodgers, stallers, tricksters and pleasers' on climate change, with Hewson accusing funds of hypocrisy for backing corporate transparency through the Carbon Disclosure Project but evading scrutiny of their own actions.
Australia could be almost totally reliant on zero emissions energy by 2050, or even earlier, if it rejigs and expands the Renewable Energy Target and develops a national transport electrification policy, according to a study by WWF and Climate Risk.
The ACF will run two more investor briefing on the James Price Point project next week, reflecting the investment community's growing interest in what environment groups have to say, according to the NGO's economic adviser Simon O'Connor.
Modelling shows the Gillard Government's proposed power station CO2 emission standard could imperil efforts to cut emissions unless they are tightened, according to WWF and the Climate Institute, but the ESAA says standards represent an "unnecessary market intervention".
What to look for in web-based carbon accounting tools; Greenpeace tallies coal investments by big four banks; and U.S. provides half a million in funding for Global CCS Institute.