Palau becomes first country to ban ‘reef toxic’ sunscreen
The International Coral Reef Foundation said the banned chemicals were “known environmental pollutants – most of them are… incredibly toxic to juvenile stages of many wildlife species”.
Australia & Oceania
This archive covers progress stories from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island nations. Expect reporting on environmental protection, Indigenous-led initiatives, public health advances, and policy wins that reflect the region’s distinct challenges and strengths.
New Zealand passes historic zero carbon bill with near unanimous bipartisan support
The New Zealand parliament has passed landmark legislation that enshrines the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement into law, and will see the country achieve zero net carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Australia’s main grid reaches 50% renewables for first time
Australia’s main grid broke through the 50% benchmark for renewable energy in one trading period this Wednesday, the first time that half of net demand had been met by renewables.
Rooftop solar installations in Australia this October smash monthly record
Rooftop solar installations have set a new record of 207MW in the month of October, beating the previous benchmark by 15 per cent and with new records set in four different states.
Abortion decriminalized in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law
Women will now be able to get abortions up to 22 weeks into their pregnancy without proving that their health will be impacted if they continue the pregnancy.
Australia to build world’s largest solar farm
The project, known as Sun Cable, will introduce a 10 GW array of solar panels across 37,000 acres and send much of its output to Singapore.
Sydney declares state of emergency over climate crisis
The decision makes Sydney the first major city in Australia to declare a climate emergency, but nearly the 660th to do so worldwide.
New Zealand ‘wellbeing’ budget focuses resources on vulnerable populations
New Zealand’s Labour coalition government has unveiled its “world-first” well-being budget which offers billions for mental health services, child poverty, and family violence.
Residential solar booming in Australia: Q1 installations up 46% from 2018
A record amount of new solar capacity has been fitted to Australia’s households and businesses in the first three months of this year, an increase of 46% on the same period last year.
Researchers find cure for the fatal sting of the world’s most venomous creature
Researchers have finally discovered an antidote to the deadly sting that is delivered by the most venomous creature on earth — the Australian box jellyfish. Each box jellyfish carries enough venom to kill more than 60 humans.