In Australia, we are currently seeing a huge growth in renewable energy projects as part of the country's response to climate change, particularly the expansion of solar and wind generation. Alongside this, there are an increasing number of native flora and fauna species being identified as threatened. This episode explores Australia's commitments to addressing both climate change and biodiveristy and some of the links between these issues. We discuss Australia's aspiration to have net zero emissions by 2050, as well as meeting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Vision, which includes having no new extinctions and also encouraging positive impacts from climate action on biodiversity.

Further reading:

Australian Government Climate Change commitments, policies and programs: https://www.aofm.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07-17/Aust%20Govt%20CC%20Actions%20Update%20July%202023.pdf

Renewable energy generation in Australia: https://www.energy.gov.au/energy-data/australian-energy-statistics/renewables

Australia's strategy for nature: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/summary-australias-strategy-for-nature-2024-2030.pdf Queensland Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) report 2021-2022: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/mapping/statewide-monitoring/slats/slats-reports/2021-22-slats-report/key-findings

Australian Conservation Foundation - Queensland’s deforestation shame: six Brisbane CBDs cleared every day: https://www.acf.org.au/qld-deforestation-shame-six-bris-cbds-cleared-every-dayAustralia State of the Environment Report (2021): https://soe.dcceew.gov.au/land/environment/native-vegetation