MAJOR 2025 CLIMATE WIN: Coming into effect on 1 Jan '26, regulations require new Sydney residential buildings to go all-electric, cutting reliance on gas for a healthier, more efficient future. The move will help Aussies save on energy bills while reducing climate pollution from fossil fuels.

MAJOR 2025 CLIMATE WIN: Despite its claim as the world’s top climate polluter, China is set to exceed its 2035 climate goals! The country aims to cut climate pollution by 7-10% by expanding renewables, promoting electric vehicles, and achieving overall greenhouse gas reductions.

In 2025, global renewable energy generation surpassed coal, for the first time in history! Solar, wind & hydro continue to surge, driven by plunging costs, rapid deployment & strong public support. This marks a major turning point; coal is losing ground as renewable energy becomes the new default.

MAJOR 2025 CLIMATE WIN: From 1 July, suppliers and manufacturers were required to meet emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for new cars sold in Australia. This is helping Aussies save money on fuel while reducing transport-related climate pollution.

Did you know that here in Australia, our main energy grid is already powered by more than 40% renewable energy? More wind and solar power backed by storage is the fastest way to bring down power bills, and the only way to secure a safer future for our kids and communities. So let’s keep at it! 💚💚💚

Tis the season 🎅 Happy holidays from us here at the Climate Council!

MAJOR 2025 CLIMATE WIN: The 2025 Super Bowl made history by airing the first-ever nonprofit climate ad, created by Science Moms, reaching millions with a powerful call to protect what we love.

MAJOR 2025 CLIMATE WIN: The Belém Declaration - signed at COP30 - is a non-binding declaration, which means countries aren’t legally required to take action, BUT it’s the strongest language we’ve seen from the Australian Government yet about the need to switch away from fossil fuels.

MAJOR 2025 WIN: Australia just recorded one of its biggest-ever drops in climate pollution this year, driven by a surge in renewable energy replacing coal. Let’s go 2026!

2025 is predicted to be the second or third-hottest year on record. Urgent climate action is necessary to address this rapid global heating, before the consequences become too great for those who can least afford the devastating impacts.

Here are some of the biggest climate news stories this year. Changing the world is a big lift, and slowly but surely we are turning this enormous ship around – thanks to the tireless efforts of many individuals, communities, businesses and governments. www.climatecouncil.org.au/2025-wrapped...

The Trump administration has moved to dissolve a critically important national climate research lab. National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) houses the largest federal research program on climate change in the US. apnews.com/article/trum...

Did you know Australia ranks 12th in the world for the amount of power we make from solar & wind? That’s right: we’ve built a 42% renewable grid, where 36% of our electricity is powered just by the sun & wind! 📊This graph shows how nations compare on energy use from solar, wind & other renewables.

Did you know just how many countries are powering ahead with renewable energy? 🌏 Australia is in a league with 88 other countries that have switched at least 35% of their electricity grid to clean renewable sources 😎

CSIRO’s latest report has confirmed – for the seventh year in a row – that a mix of firmed renewables is the cheapest way forward for Australia’s electricity system. Electricity generation costs would be a third lower with an 82% renewable grid. https://bit.ly/48XbTPA

On the 10th anniversary of the Paris Climate conference, Rebecca Solnit reflects on how much the world has achieved to cut carbon pollution.

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MAJOR 2025 WIN: In July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made it crystal clear that all countries have significant legal responsibilities to prevent further climate harm by slashing their climate pollution rapidly and deeply. Congratulations to all involved!

The grid’s going green! And look how much has changed in only 10 years. October saw renewables supply a record 51% of Australia’s main energy grid 😎 We’re heading in the right direction, but we’ve still got to step up the pace to cut pollution and to cut costs.

Did you know today marks A DECADE since the Paris Agreement? Check out all the major climate wins we've had since the monumental agreement here: www.climatecouncil.org.au/ten-years-of...

The northern stretches of Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef are once again tracking towards marine heatwave conditions over summer, endangering the ecosystem that keeps the vibrant reef alive. www.bordermail.com.au/story/913232...

$5bn in environmental damage every hour - that's how much the unsustainable production of fossil fuels & food causes us, per a new UN report. The report shows how the climate crisis, destruction of nature and pollution bear economic and security consequences. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program has far exceeded expectations, with around 175,000 applications expected by the end of 2025. That's roughly 2.5x what was installed in all of 2024, in just 6 months!

Hunting for a Christmas gift that keeps the climate in mind? Look no further than the Climate Council's summer reading list! Check out our recommendations, from Tim Winton to Marian Wilkinson - there's something for everyone! www.climatecouncil.org.au/12-inspiring...

An absolutely fabulous reason to care about the climate crisis. 🔁 @nebriefing ‘Everybody has got to come together and sort this out.’ #JenniferSaunders

Queensland Museum is under fire for leaving fossil fuels out of its climate change lessons, despite receiving millions through an education partnership with Shell’s Queensland Gas Company. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Greg Mullins said the underlying factor in the often unpredictable conditions people are seeing was climate change “because it’s making everything unstable”. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/09/australia-nsw-tasmania-bushfires-warning-experts

Our hearts are with all those who have been impacted by bushfires already this fire season from the Central Coast in New South Wales to Dolphin Sands in Tasmania.

Only a week into summer, Australia has already seen bushfires tearing through New South Wales and Tasmania - and our hearts go out to all those affected 🧡 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Climate pollution is cranking up the heat, and our friend Zerene in Western Sydney is feeling it. We need to accelerate cutting climate pollution, or risk worsening extreme temperatures, putting the livelihoods of those living and working in Western Sydney at risk.

Temperatures all over the world are rapidly rising 🌡️📈 Climate pollution from coal, oil and gas is driving global heating that is endangering our lives, our communities, and our livelihoods. Video source: NASA Science

The Australian Energy Market Commission's latest modelling confirms renewables backed by storage is our only path to lower power prices.

Entire regions of Asia have been inundated with catastrophic cyclones, record-breaking rain and flooding over the past few days. Climate pollution from coal, oil and gas is driving more intense and disastrous extreme weather events around the world, and many are suffering.

"Australia is the world's third-largest fossil fuel exporter, and the Albanese Government has approved 32 new coal and gas projects since being elected in 2022. Presumably, shooting for number one." Journalist Alan Kohler confronts Australia's addiction to fossil fuels.

🔁 ABC News Watch ABC journalist Sarah Ferguson fact-check the Coalition's claims about power prices. "Power bills are high but the rollout of renewables are not the cause." Learn more about why bill prices are going up, and why fossil fuels are ultimately to blame via link in bio.

Australia's biggest super funds ploughing $33bn of Aussie retirement savings into coal, oil and gas expansion driving worsening extreme weather, which threatens retirement savings https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/aap/article-15342805/Super-funds-plunge-billions-fossil-fuel-companies.html

Australians are struggling with the cost of living, and rising power bills are putting even more pressure on household budgets. The key question is: how did we get here, and what can actually be done about it? Let's break it down: www.climatecouncil.org.au/four-reasons...

Climate change is making our atmosphere hotter and wetter, leading to more intense rainfall and damaging storms. Our hearts are with all those affected right now by the climate impacts unfolding in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia 🧡

Long-awaited changes to Australia’s national environmental law have passed after a deal between the Albanese Government and the Greens. There are some big wins for protecting forests and accelerating environmentally responsible renewable power, however... www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

When it comes to powering our homes, the latest numbers confirm renewables have the cheapest price tag by far. In fact, they are about half the cost of polluting gas and coal!

Here's what Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie has to say about today's environment law reform. Breaking down the good, the bad, and the please-can-we-actually-regulate-polluting-fossil fuel-projects?! Learn more here climc.nl/EPBC 💚

After years of campaigning, we finally have a new national environment law. Some important wins came through, but the law still fails the climate test. Until emissions are fully accounted for and climate impacts properly weighed, our forests, our future, and our climate remain at risk.

This morning the Government and the Greens struck a deal to reform Australia's national environment law. The strengthened protections for native forests and acceleration of environmentally responsible renewable power projects are great outcomes. However...

BREAKING: The Australian Labor Party has struck a deal with the Greens Party to reform our main environment law. The deal protects forests ✅ and fast-tracks responsible renewables ✅, however, it gives the same free pass for new coal, gas ❌. Stay tuned for more!

These fire bans come as the Albanese Government is in the process of reforming our main environment law. The government must deliver a credible environment law that protects the places we love from climate harm, asap.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie has criticised the Govt for treating the long-awaited national environment law reforms “like a coin toss”. “Do they really care about protecting Australians and our environment from climate change, or is it all just politics?” www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie and Climate Councillor Prof Tim Flannery appeared at a Senate inquiry into our main environment law reforms in Canberra last week, asking for climate impacts to be considered under the law. Currently, they're not.

International and domestic courts are increasingly clear: governments have a legal duty to consider the greenhouse gas emissions released by the projects they approve. theconversation.com/long-awaited...

The Government is still pushing to pass major changes on Australia's environment laws, and is looking to make an agreement with the Greens or the Coalition. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

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