Michael Mazengarb
@michaelmazengarb.bsky.social
Renewable Energy and Climate Change policy | Climate law. Writes at Tempests and Terawatts tempestsandterawatts.com
Pinned
The Beginning of the End for Carbon Offsets? Parents Take Energy Giant to Court
Court case could upend Australia’s carbon offset industry and reshape corporate climate claims.
www.tempestsandterawatts.com
Hearings in the greenwashing case Parents for Climate v EnergyAustralia start today in the Federal Court.
As a backgrounder, this is my write-up of its significance, and its potential to deliver a reckoning for the carbon offset industry.
www.tempestsandterawatts.com/p/the-beginn...
As a backgrounder, this is my write-up of its significance, and its potential to deliver a reckoning for the carbon offset industry.
www.tempestsandterawatts.com/p/the-beginn...
Obligatory 'yes emissions fell, but they didn't fall by enough', as nicely illustrated by the Climate Change Authority:
November 27, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Obligatory 'yes emissions fell, but they didn't fall by enough', as nicely illustrated by the Climate Change Authority:
There's going to be plenty of analysis of the lastest emissions projections published by the Australian government.
But will just say that is no surprise that setting a target doesn't mean much without the policies and measures to achieve it.
But will just say that is no surprise that setting a target doesn't mean much without the policies and measures to achieve it.
November 27, 2025 at 4:17 AM
There's going to be plenty of analysis of the lastest emissions projections published by the Australian government.
But will just say that is no surprise that setting a target doesn't mean much without the policies and measures to achieve it.
But will just say that is no surprise that setting a target doesn't mean much without the policies and measures to achieve it.
A new report from the Clean Energy Regulator infers emissions from facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism fell by 3.2 MT last year.
But, also states 12 fewer facilities are covered this year, so emissions may not have been reduce at all (or only marginally).
cer.gov.au/markets/repo...
But, also states 12 fewer facilities are covered this year, so emissions may not have been reduce at all (or only marginally).
cer.gov.au/markets/repo...
November 27, 2025 at 4:16 AM
A new report from the Clean Energy Regulator infers emissions from facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism fell by 3.2 MT last year.
But, also states 12 fewer facilities are covered this year, so emissions may not have been reduce at all (or only marginally).
cer.gov.au/markets/repo...
But, also states 12 fewer facilities are covered this year, so emissions may not have been reduce at all (or only marginally).
cer.gov.au/markets/repo...
The new quarterly update to Australia's emissions inventory shows emissions down 2.2% for the year to June 2025.
Emissions down across most sectors, except for transport.
www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-chan...
Emissions down across most sectors, except for transport.
www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-chan...
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The new quarterly update to Australia's emissions inventory shows emissions down 2.2% for the year to June 2025.
Emissions down across most sectors, except for transport.
www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-chan...
Emissions down across most sectors, except for transport.
www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-chan...
Bevan Shields gone from the SMH
www.smh.com.au/business/com...
www.smh.com.au/business/com...
Jordan Baker appointed editor of the Herald as Bevan Shields steps down
Baker, the chief reporter for the Herald, will start in the new role in 2026.
www.smh.com.au
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Bevan Shields gone from the SMH
www.smh.com.au/business/com...
www.smh.com.au/business/com...
The Judge who oversaw the Munkara v Santos case (which evolved into an instance of a SLAPP action) has agreed to recuse herself from a subsequent case involving Santos on the basis of apprehended bias.
www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Ju...
www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Ju...
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 AM
The Judge who oversaw the Munkara v Santos case (which evolved into an instance of a SLAPP action) has agreed to recuse herself from a subsequent case involving Santos on the basis of apprehended bias.
www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Ju...
www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Ju...
Pitching a version of Antiques Roadshow, but it’s for the bottles of wine that have accumulated in the back of our cupboard.
November 23, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Pitching a version of Antiques Roadshow, but it’s for the bottles of wine that have accumulated in the back of our cupboard.
Or just obliterate them, that works too.
November 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Or just obliterate them, that works too.
November 22, 2025 at 7:15 AM
jfc, when I drove to the supermarket, England was 5-down.
Driving home from the supermarket and it’s Labuschagne and Smith batting.
Driving home from the supermarket and it’s Labuschagne and Smith batting.
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 AM
jfc, when I drove to the supermarket, England was 5-down.
Driving home from the supermarket and it’s Labuschagne and Smith batting.
Driving home from the supermarket and it’s Labuschagne and Smith batting.
What’s the go with the sydney morning herald crossword using the clue ‘strange’ a eight times in today’s edition?
November 21, 2025 at 4:29 AM
What’s the go with the sydney morning herald crossword using the clue ‘strange’ a eight times in today’s edition?
It is deeply disappointing if Australia has missed out on COP31.
It is a missed opportunity to shine a spotlight on a major fossil fuel producer.
And it will see the Pacific region - some of the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts - yet again sidelined.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
It is a missed opportunity to shine a spotlight on a major fossil fuel producer.
And it will see the Pacific region - some of the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts - yet again sidelined.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Turkey Beats Australia in Race to Host UN Climate Talks in 2026
Turkey is set to host the flagship United Nations climate change conference next year, beating a rival proposal from Australia following a protracted contest between the two countries.
www.bloomberg.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:46 PM
It is deeply disappointing if Australia has missed out on COP31.
It is a missed opportunity to shine a spotlight on a major fossil fuel producer.
And it will see the Pacific region - some of the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts - yet again sidelined.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
It is a missed opportunity to shine a spotlight on a major fossil fuel producer.
And it will see the Pacific region - some of the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts - yet again sidelined.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
You would hope that in an age of accelerating technology and environmental risks, that a government that can somehow find hundreds of billions to send on submarines, could meet this challenge by upping the funding for science, rather than firing the scientists.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
'The cost of science has gone up': CSIRO chief defends job cuts
The chief executive of the CSIRO has defended the decision to cut hundreds of jobs, arguing the organisation needs to alter its priorities to remain relevant.
www.abc.net.au
November 19, 2025 at 1:31 AM
You would hope that in an age of accelerating technology and environmental risks, that a government that can somehow find hundreds of billions to send on submarines, could meet this challenge by upping the funding for science, rather than firing the scientists.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Every time someone claims that if Australia didn’t export its coal and gas, other countries will just buy it elsewhere, just tap the sign:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Rude shock for Australia as South Korea unshackles from coal reliance
In a move that has been welcomed by climate campaigners, South Korea has vowed to phase out coal, sparking a warning for Australian exporters.
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Every time someone claims that if Australia didn’t export its coal and gas, other countries will just buy it elsewhere, just tap the sign:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
In its own words, the CSIRO says "CSIRO is now facing long-term financial sustainability challenges, with funding not keeping pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency"
FYI, the science minister is Tim Ayres, and his email address is [email protected]
FYI, the science minister is Tim Ayres, and his email address is [email protected]
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
CSIRO to slash hundreds of jobs in cost-saving drive
The staff association at the nation’s leading scientific research organisation says the latest round of cuts marks “a sad day for publicly funded science”.
www.smh.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 5:09 AM
In its own words, the CSIRO says "CSIRO is now facing long-term financial sustainability challenges, with funding not keeping pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency"
FYI, the science minister is Tim Ayres, and his email address is [email protected]
FYI, the science minister is Tim Ayres, and his email address is [email protected]
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
CSIRO to slash hundreds of jobs in cost-saving drive
The staff association at the nation’s leading scientific research organisation says the latest round of cuts marks “a sad day for publicly funded science”.
www.smh.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 4:53 AM
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
Very strong 2009 climate policy vibes today, but I still very much feel 16 years older.
November 13, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Very strong 2009 climate policy vibes today, but I still very much feel 16 years older.
Wait, apologies, it sounds like nuclear is still on the table according to Dan Tehan.
So, it's no emissions reduction targets, and more coal and more gas without the pretense of trying to reach net zero with nuclear.
Probably the most honest policy position the Coalition has had since the Abbott government.
Probably the most honest policy position the Coalition has had since the Abbott government.
November 13, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Wait, apologies, it sounds like nuclear is still on the table according to Dan Tehan.
Reposted by Michael Mazengarb
The climate-denying binferno that is Australian politics and media right now:
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 AM
The climate-denying binferno that is Australian politics and media right now:
So, it's no emissions reduction targets, and more coal and more gas without the pretense of trying to reach net zero with nuclear.
Probably the most honest policy position the Coalition has had since the Abbott government.
Probably the most honest policy position the Coalition has had since the Abbott government.
November 13, 2025 at 3:48 AM
So, it's no emissions reduction targets, and more coal and more gas without the pretense of trying to reach net zero with nuclear.
Probably the most honest policy position the Coalition has had since the Abbott government.
Probably the most honest policy position the Coalition has had since the Abbott government.
According to Sussan Ley, the Albanese government is simultaneously not cutting emissions fast enough and also cutting emissions too quickly.
November 13, 2025 at 3:46 AM
According to Sussan Ley, the Albanese government is simultaneously not cutting emissions fast enough and also cutting emissions too quickly.
Summary of Sussan Ley:
- The Liberals won't have a target of net zero for 2050
- Liberals will repeal the net zero target in legislation
- Liberals will also repeal the 43% by 2030 target
- The Liberals won't have a target of net zero for 2050
- Liberals will repeal the net zero target in legislation
- Liberals will also repeal the 43% by 2030 target
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Summary of Sussan Ley:
- The Liberals won't have a target of net zero for 2050
- Liberals will repeal the net zero target in legislation
- Liberals will also repeal the 43% by 2030 target
- The Liberals won't have a target of net zero for 2050
- Liberals will repeal the net zero target in legislation
- Liberals will also repeal the 43% by 2030 target
Global emissions from fossil fuels will grow 1.1 per cent in 2025.
"For a 50 per cent likelihood to limit warming below 1.5°C, the remaining budget is 170 billion tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to four years at the 2025 emissions levels."
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
"For a 50 per cent likelihood to limit warming below 1.5°C, the remaining budget is 170 billion tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to four years at the 2025 emissions levels."
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels rise in 2025
The Global Carbon Budget is produced by leading international research organisations as part of the Global Carbon Project. It provides an overview of the global carbon budget, including both natural a...
www.csiro.au
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Global emissions from fossil fuels will grow 1.1 per cent in 2025.
"For a 50 per cent likelihood to limit warming below 1.5°C, the remaining budget is 170 billion tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to four years at the 2025 emissions levels."
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
"For a 50 per cent likelihood to limit warming below 1.5°C, the remaining budget is 170 billion tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to four years at the 2025 emissions levels."
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
The Coalition really read the National Climate Risk Assessment, and its warnings of increased heat deaths, bushfires, drought and sea-level inundation and were like 'sounds good to us'.
November 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The Coalition really read the National Climate Risk Assessment, and its warnings of increased heat deaths, bushfires, drought and sea-level inundation and were like 'sounds good to us'.