Adani mine gets final environmental approval for Carmichael mine

Adani has passed its final environmental approval and can now begin work on its Carmichael mine in Central Queensland after nearly nine years of planning, fierce protests and endless political debate.

Adani Australia CEO Lucas Dow
previously said they were ready to
 begin work as soon as the approval
was given.

Queensland's Environment Department this afternoon approved the mine's groundwater management plan, with construction at the Galilee Basin to ramp up over the coming weeks.

Over the past 18 months Adani had produced about a dozen versions of its groundwater management plan. Previous attempts failed to meet key environmental requirements, including a plan to avoid destroying one of the world's last unspoiled desert oases, the Doongmabulla Springs Complex.

Read the story from ABC News by Josh Bavas - “Adani mine gets final environmental approval for Carmichael mine.”

(It was climate emergency campaigner, Phillip Sutton, who told "Climate Conversations" that Australia, and the world, has no chance of, meeting its Paris commitments before even a shovel full of coal had been dug out of the Adani mine - Robert McLean)

Winds of change for Golden Plains as huge wind farm gets go-ahead.

A massive 170 square kilometre wind farm has passed the final Victorian planning hurdle, and could be powering in four years if the federal government approves the project.

The Golden Plains wind farm has passed
the final Victorian planning hurdle.CREDIT:

The $1.5 billion wind farm, sprawling over 17,000 hectares near the small town of Rokewood south of Ballarat, passed environmental approvals last month.

Acting Planning Minister Lily D’Ambrosio will on Saturday announce the Victorian government has granted a planning permit for the project in the Golden Plains Shire.

All that remains is for the federal government to sign off on it.

Read the story from The Age by Bianca Hall and Adam Carey -“Winds of change for Golden Plains as huge wind farm gets go-ahead.”

UDV push on climate

UDV members from across Victoria descended on the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the 42nd UDV annual meeting and conference.

Ashlee Hammond delivers a presentation
at the UDVannual meeting after being
appointed as UDV manager following eight
 months as acting manager.

A number of functions were held throughout the May 4 event, with members passing a number of resolutions on the day.

Members voted not to support calls for a prescribed code of conduct within the industry, in what would have been a strengthening of the current voluntary code, without adopting the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s recommendations

Ashlee Hammond delivers a presentation at the UDV annual meeting after being appointed UDV manager following eight months as acting manager. to institute a mandatory code of conduct.

Issues regarding water markets, research and development and branch participation were also voted on.

In a significant step, a resolution regarding the UDV taking a strong stand regarding climate change was passed.

The resolution referred to increased research, development and investment to allow for adaptation to climate change on farm to minimise its impact on farmers.

Story from Country News - “UDV push on climate.”

France bans plastic cups, plates and cutlery

France has passed a new law to ensure all plastic cups, cutlery and plates can be composted and are made of biologically-sourced materials.

Plastic glasses, knives, forks and food boxes are
 pictured in a takeaway restaurant in Paris.

The law, which comes into effect in 2020, is part of the Energy Transition for Green Growth – an ambitious plan that aims to allow France to make a more effective contribution to tackling climate change. 

Although some ecologists’ organisations are in favour of the ban, others argue that it has violated European Union rules on free movement of goods.

Read Shehab Khan’s story from the Independent - “France bans plastic cups, plates and cutlery.”

Historic moment for Victoria's energy future

In a historic moment for Victoria's energy future, the Victorian Renewable Energy Target today passed the upper house in state Parliament and will become law.

“This is a historic day for Victoria's energy future, and a victory for the community who have long made the case for the Victorian Renewable Energy Target” said a Friends of the Earth renewable energy spokesperson, Pat Simons

Questionable claims on Matthew Guy's billboard.

“The success of the Victorian Renewable Energy Target is thanks to communities, businesses and workers from Portland, to Geelong, Yackandandah, Macedon and Melbourne”

Friends of the Earth congratulates Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister Lily D'Ambrosio, and the Labor government, branding its energy policy achievement an act of national leadership: 

“The Andrews government is leading the nation with a vision for jobs and investment in renewable energy,” said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth spokesperson.

“While the divided Turnbull government only offers ill-considered thought bubbles on energy, the Andrews government has shown leadership on the Victorian Renewable Energy Target," said Pat Simons.

“Victoria's Andrews government has set the bar for smart energy policy in Australia.”

The passage of legislation was also welcomed by prospective wind farmers from Barunah Park, Kevin and Jenny Blake:

“Renewable energy is extremely important to us, as we have seen the effects of climate change personally on our farm. We are very excited to host turbines as this will help minimise the effects of climate change in the future.”

“This legislation will also help provide us with a means to drought-proof our future earnings and keep our farm sustainable for our children and grandchildren.”

The VRET passed with the support of upper house Greens MPs, Fiona Patten of the Reason Party, Local Jobs First MP James Purcell.

Friends of the Earth was critical of the Matthew Guy opposition, who stuck to their pledge to vote against the VRET even though renewable energy enjoys strong support among Liberal party voters.

"In 2017, it's unacceptable for politicians to vote against policies to tackle climate change," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson.

"With unprecedented bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef and parts of Victoria experiencing a record dry June, now's not the time to be blocking action on climate change."

“Victorians will remember the opposition's vote against renewable energy jobs and cheaper power when they go to the polls in 2018.”

It is expected the Victorian Renewable Energy will:

• Create 10,000 jobs in wind and solar across the state, from wind tower manufacturing in Portland to cable making in Tottenham, transformer manufacturing in Glen Waverley and Benalla, and warehousing/training in Lyndhurst.

• See Victorian households save an estimated $30 on their power bill each year. Small-medium businesses will save $2,500 and big businesses will save $140,000.

• Victoria's renewable energy rollout of 5,400 MW will cut electricity sector emissions up to 16 percent, helping the state meet its legislated net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Friends of the Earth have coordinated the community campaign for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target since 2014.