The High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People is a coalition of more than 50 countries that was formed in 2011 to encourage internal action on the climate crisis prior to the Paris Agreement.
Region: Australia & Oceania
New Zealand buys enough COVID vaccine for its Pacific Islander neighbors
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta confirmed NZD $75 million of assistancehad been earmarked to support Pacific and global vaccine access and roll-out.
New Zealand declares climate emergency
The government of New Zealand declared a climate emergency, a symbolic step recognizing IPCC predictions of substantial global warming if emissions do not fall. Alongside the declaration, New Zealand announced it would require its public sector to become carbon neutral by 2025.
Tesla to build massive 300-megawatt battery in Australia
The battery will be built near Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, and will offer 450 megawatt-hours of energy storage. It’s three times bigger than the original 100-MW Tesla system built in South Australia, which was the biggest in the world when it was built just three years ago.
New Zealand PM appoints first female indigenous foreign minister
After being re-elected in a landslide victory last month, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to make positive progressive change in the country. Yesterday, she appointed Nanaia Mahuta as the country’s first indigenous female foreign minister.
Entire state of South Australia powered solely by solar in a world first
The state of South Australia for a short period earlier in October met 100 percent of its energy needs from solar power – a world-first for a jurisdiction of its size.
New Zealand’s progressive champion Jacinda Ardern wins second term as Prime Minister
Ardern’s victory comes after she has won widespread praise and support for her ambitious leadership on the climate crisis and science-based approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia to complete world’s new largest solar farm ever by 2027
The solar farm, which is three times larger than the world’s current largest solar farm in northern China, is also expected to provide thousands of jobs related to construction and hundreds of jobs once construction is done.
Samoa pledges to preserve 30% of its ocean
Samoa’s land mass accounts for less than three percent of its territory, and the country is largely dependent upon the ocean for food and income. To preserve this vital resource, the Samoa Government has committed to fully managing its ocean area and protecting 30 percent by 2025 through the Samoa Ocean Strategy.
Cancer breath test detects 80% of cases in early trial
The team from Australia’s Flinders University has developed a breath test that can detect exhaled breath profiles associated with head and neck cancers, with the tool demonstrating a high degree of accuracy in early trials.