Fossil fuel lobby to use Covid-19 to push for weaker climate laws

Australian researchers warn that governments and powerful business lobby groups may use the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity to water down environmental controls, with the fossil fuel industry most likely to take advantage.

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In findings published in the journal Regulation and Governance, economists from the Australian National University found that studies of the behaviour of corporations and governments during previous economic crises show they were able to predict how the government responses to Covid-19 may be influenced by vested interests.

The researchers from the ANU’s Energy Change Institute and the School of Regulation and Global Governance warn that the power of large incumbent industries, like that of the fossil fuel lobby, could use their power to convince governments than an economic crisis could justify the relaxation of climate change and environmental regulations..

Read the story from RenewEconomy by Sophie Vorrath - “Fossil fuel lobby to use Covid-19 to push for weaker climate laws.”

Clean, green eco-future draws closer

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ustralian researchers have brought the long-awaited dream of an economy running on hydrogen fuel a step closer by developing a device that generates zero-emission fuels from the sun's rays.

The solar-powered fuel cell, which converts chemical energy into electricity, produces hydrogen fuel at 22 per cent energy efficiency, breaking the previous world record of 18 per cent.

Read The Sydney Morning Herald story - “Clean, green eco-future not so far away.”