AGP Executive Report

Energy Security: Australia paid an extra $9 billion for diesel imports in six months, the Climate Council says, highlighting the cost of dependence on overseas fuel. Clean Energy: WA is targeting 75% renewables on its main grid by 2030–31 and plans to legalise plug-in solar and batteries, which could help renters cut power bills. But bushfire smoke can sharply reduce solar farm output, even far from fires. Gas Transition: More households are leaving gas, though the upfront cost of switching remains a hurdle. Waste: NSW has dropped a proposed reusable-cup requirement for cafes, while a state inquiry has called for a pause on planned waste incinerators at Tarago and Parkes pending an independent review. Nature: Green sawfish are critically endangered, but scientists still lack reliable population estimates; around 80% of survivors may be in Australian waters. Transport: Global public-transport leaders will meet in Sydney next week to discuss emissions and congestion ahead of COP31.

Extreme Weather: Heavy rain and storms battered eastern Australia, triggering flash floods, school closures and emergency rescues; severe conditions also forced the cancellation of Phillip Island’s MotoGP weekend. Renewable Shift: Western Australia has set a 75% renewable energy target by 2031, while Australia added more battery storage in the first half of 2026 than in all of 2025. Reef Protection: WA’s EPA says Woodside’s proposed gas drilling near Scott Reef could cause “serious, significant, irreversible” harm, with endangered turtles and coral at risk. Climate Pressure: Australia and Türkiye face scrutiny as COP31 hosts pursuing coal expansion, even as students call for stronger climate action. Energy Demand: The Smart Energy Council warns data centres could add A$40 billion to Australian power costs, intensifying questions over how new demand will be met.

Renewables: Western Australia has set a target for 75% renewable electricity by 2030–31 and pledged to close its state-owned coal generators. Construction has begun on the 470MW Parron Maam Marang wind farm. Climate policy: The Coalition says it would scrap the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and other funds as part of proposed $31 billion in cuts, putting clean-energy support in question. Extreme weather: Days of intense rain and flash flooding across eastern Australia brought rescues, school closures and a fatality on Queensland’s Fraser Coast; southeast Queensland rainfall records are also under threat. Nature: A global assessment warns Australian coral reefs face collapse risk within 50 years without urgent action. In Western Australia, environmental advocates say Woodside’s gas drilling could threaten endangered turtles and exceptional coral. Waste: Construction has begun on Canberra’s new recycling facility, while MPs are set to discuss a national circular economy for solar panels.

Flood Emergency: Days of severe rain and flooding across Queensland have left one man dead, while campers were rescued from floodwaters and more storms were forecast. Data Centre Boom: Melbourne researchers warn proposed growth could add 1,900 diesel backup generators and store about 40 million litres of diesel; separately, a 1GW data centre with 5GWh of battery storage has been submitted for federal environmental approval. Climate Policy: The Coalition says it would cut $9.4 billion from climate programs as part of a broader savings plan, while environmental advocates accuse COP31 hosts Australia and Türkiye of pressing ahead with coal expansion before climate talks. Clean Energy: Australian renewable projects totalling 2.6GW reached financial close in the first half of 2026, while a new forecasting deal aims to automatically stow solar panels ahead of hail. Bushfire Risk: Researchers warn climate change is driving bushfire costs above $6 billion a year, with longer fire seasons adding pressure ahead of summer.

Severe Weather: Heavy rain and flash flooding have hit south-east Australia, with Queensland recording two to four times its average October rainfall in parts and more wet weather forecast. Bushfire Risk: A new report puts Australia’s annual bushfire costs at more than $6 billion as the climate warms; almost half of homes face bushfire risk as fire seasons lengthen. Reefs in Peril: A global assessment warns Australia’s coral reefs face collapse within 50 years without drastic action, amid mounting heat stress on reef ecosystems. Climate Policy: Australia has set rules for carbon-credit claims in advertising, while attention turns to COP31 and whether the summit can deliver stronger action. Clean Energy: Rooftop solar is surging, but neglected systems could fail years too soon, raising fresh questions about maintenance as households rely more on solar power.

Severe Weather: Wind gusts near 100 km/h damaged property and brought down trees in South Australia, cutting power to about 12,000 customers as storms moved east. Energy Transition: Australians are increasingly concerned that data centres could strain local power and water supplies. Meanwhile, rooftop solar keeps growing, but experts warn neglected systems may lose performance well before their expected lifespan. Nature: A new 200-hectare sanctuary on King Island will protect threatened wildlife and habitat, including a bird with fewer than 100 individuals remaining. Climate Risks: A global assessment warns Australia’s coral reefs could face collapse within 50 years without drastic action. With Australia and Türkiye set to host COP31, pressure is mounting to match climate ambitions with action as new coal and fossil-fuel projects proceed.

Severe Weather: Flash flooding has forced school closures and emergency rescues in Queensland, with more heavy rain and storms forecast across eastern Australia. Hay Plains: A mystery dieback is stripping saltbush across the region, threatening an important feed source for livestock. Coral Reefs: A global assessment says 96% of shallow reefs face critical risk of collapse by 2075 as oceans warm, including the Great Barrier Reef. Bushfire Risk: A NSW study found 94% of homes destroyed in the Black Summer fires were within the state’s 100-metre bushfire buffer, while researchers say future fire risks may warrant wider protections. Climate Data: The Bureau of Meteorology has rejected claims of widespread errors in its temperature records, saying the allegations rest on misunderstandings. River Recovery: More than 20,000 gigalitres of water have flowed through the Basin under environmental programs, marking progress for rivers, wetlands and communities.

Severe Weather: Heavy rain and flash flooding have closed schools and prompted rescues in Queensland, with thunderstorms forecast across several states this weekend. River Health: Commonwealth environmental flows have reached 20,000 gigalitres in the Murray–Darling Basin since 2009, supporting rivers, wetlands and floodplains. Reef Crisis: A global assessment classifies 96% of shallow-water coral reefs as critically endangered, including the Great Barrier Reef; climate-driven heat stress is the main threat. Climate Accountability: Australia has introduced rules for carbon-credit claims in advertising, while the ACT moves to overhaul its offsets policy. Energy and Emissions: A major renewable project faces a reported 12-fold cost increase, even as Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy begin design work on a large industrial heat battery. The contrast sharpens scrutiny of Australia’s climate commitments as it prepares to co-host COP31 while new fossil-fuel projects proceed.

Severe Weather: After record October rain and flash flooding in Queensland, storms and heavy rain are forecast across several states this weekend, with further flood risks. Climate Forecasting: Australian researchers say the Pacific’s starting conditions can help identify which El Niño and La Niña forecasts may be reliable up to a year ahead. Carbon Claims: New ACCC guidance says businesses must clearly distinguish carbon credits from their own emissions cuts and back up claims with sound accounting. Wildlife: Wildlife carers report thousands of starving flying foxes in NSW, amid disrupted flowering during the bats’ spring breeding season. Coral Reefs: A global assessment warns 96% of shallow-water reef ecosystems face critically high risk by 2075, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Queensland Floods: Flash flooding north of Brisbane closed eight schools after more than 160mm of rain fell in three hours; homes were inundated and roads shut. COP31: A provisional UN list names leaders from just 77 countries for the summit in Türkiye, prompting warnings that low attendance could weaken climate action. Wildlife: Captive-bred regent honeyeaters are relearning their lost wild song, with 42% of males successful after live tutoring; meanwhile, Great Koala National Park legislation has passed. Coral Reefs: A global assessment warns Australian reefs face a high risk of collapse by 2075 without drastic action. Climate Risks: New analysis puts Australia’s annual bushfire costs at more than $6 billion as warming drives longer, more dangerous fire seasons. Energy and Rivers: Australia’s largest renewable project faces a reported 12-fold cost increase, while the Murray–Darling Basin has passed 20,000 gigalitres in water recovery for rivers, wetlands and communities.

Reefs at Risk: A global IUCN assessment classifies 96% of shallow-water coral reef systems as critically endangered, including the Great Barrier Reef. Warming oceans and bleaching could push reefs towards collapse by 2075. Methane Watch: Satellites detected repeated methane plumes above Chevron’s Gorgon gas plant in WA, with the latest averaging about 7.8 tonnes an hour. The UN has alerted Chevron, which says it is working with the environment programme. Queensland Floods: After close to 300mm of rain in parts of the southeast, saturated catchments face more heavy rain, flood warnings and possible supercell storms. Bushfire Bill: A new report warns climate-fuelled fires could cost Australia more than $6 billion a year as fire seasons lengthen. A potentially powerful El Niño adds to concerns about heat, drought and food supply. Climate Action: With Australia and Türkiye set to host COP31 next month, experts are urging practical progress on clean energy, adaptation and climate finance. A WA trial will also test a CSIRO-developed approach to capturing carbon from the air using dye and sunlight.

Energy Costs: Snowy Hydro 2.0 is now forecast to cost at least A$22.2bn, with a contingency for A$25bn, and is not due to be fully commissioned until 2029—far above its original A$2bn estimate. Industrial Transition: Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy have begun design work on a 30MW/360MWh thermal battery at Yarwun to supply industrial heat using stored electricity. Climate Risks: New estimates put Australia’s climate-fuelled bushfire costs above A$6bn a year, as longer fire seasons and El Niño raise risks. Coal and Climate Law: NSW plans to override a High Court coal-mine ruling, reigniting debate over climate safeguards and mining approvals. Cleaner Shipping: Shanghai and Melbourne are developing a green shipping corridor to help cut emissions from maritime trade. Reef Warning: The IUCN says 96% of shallow-water coral reef systems face an extremely high risk of collapse by 2075 as oceans warm.

Bushfire Risk: Australia’s annual bushfire bill could reach $6 billion as the climate warms, while longer fire seasons put almost half of homes at risk. Industrial Decarbonisation: Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy are designing Australia’s largest thermal-storage project, using heat batteries to help electrify an aluminium refinery; the government has also backed an industrial heat-battery project in Queensland. Wildlife Emergency: H5N1 bird flu has reached Macquarie Island’s elephant seals, raising fears of a breeding-season die-off. Climate Targets: The UN says the world is falling further behind on climate action, with overshooting the 1.5°C target described as imminent and unavoidable. Clean Energy: Australian solar and wind projects reached a record 3.5 gigawatts in investment decisions this year, while a 1.5-gigawatt wind farm was approved in Victoria.

Industrial Decarbonisation: The federal government is backing a 360-megawatt-hour heat battery at Rio Tinto’s Yarwun refinery in Queensland. The project could cut on-site emissions by about 67,000 tonnes a year by replacing fossil-fuel heat. Home Energy: Australia installed 276,011 home batteries in the first half of 2026, more than double the storage added in the previous six months. Batteries now outnumber new rooftop solar systems, with the federal subsidy driving uptake. Energy Transition: Woodside plans to reduce its investment in a Texas lower-carbon ammonia project, citing slow market development; first production is still targeted for 2027, subject to other projects coming online. Renewables: South Australia is advancing a near-13GW wind and solar tender. Nature Under Pressure: H5N1 bird flu has been detected on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, raising concern for wildlife, while El Niño conditions could increase risks to the Great Barrier Reef.

Biodiversity: Calls are growing for Australia to put nature at the heart of planning as global conservation targets slip. Researchers have also launched an emergency breeding program for a rare snail, while new findings highlight the mixed legacy of feral animals: some threaten ecosystems here but are endangered in their original ranges. Climate and Reefs: A strong El Niño is raising the risk of Great Barrier Reef coral bleaching, with calm conditions adding to concern. Energy Transition: The federal government is backing a large heat battery demonstration at Rio Tinto’s Yarwun refinery to test replacing some fossil-fuel steam with stored renewable electricity. South Australia is also advancing a major wind and solar pipeline. Gas and Pollution: Woodside has paused pre-commissioning at its Scarborough gas project after Greenpeace activists boarded the offshore platform. Separately, research warns climate change could push more toxic mine waste into coastal waters.

Great Barrier Reef: A new study warns a strong El Niño could heighten marine heatwave and bleaching risk, especially when weak winds and clear skies stop reef waters from cooling. Wildlife: Taronga Zoo’s emergency breeding program for the endangered Norfolk Island hairy snail has produced young; meanwhile, H5N1 bird flu has reached Macquarie Island, putting wildlife at risk. Fossil Fuels: Woodside paused pre-commissioning work at an offshore gas project after Greenpeace activists occupied a platform, renewing scrutiny of new gas developments. Clean Energy: Australian solar investment decisions reached a record 3.5GW this year, while South Australia advanced a 12.7GW renewables push and Victoria approved a 1.5GW wind farm. Conservation: The federal government plans to expand protected wetlands to help safeguard migratory shorebirds.