Peter Hannam
Peter Hannam covers carbon economy issues ranging from the business of renewable energy and carbon trading to the science of climate change for Fairfax Media.
Walls keep water out and flood bills down
Peter Hannam Grafton narrowly escaped a major flood this week to the reported delight of the NSW Premier.
Energy storage to eclipse solar impact: report
Peter Hannam Energy storage has the potential to have as big as impact on Australia's power sector as the surge in solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, a report finds.
Floods make insurers' bills rise
Peter Hannam Damage bill for insurers from flooding continues to mount, with almost 12,000 claims lodged.
Business counting carbon tax
Peter Hannam About half of Australian companies have either seen little impact from the introduction of the carbon tax on their energy costs or are yet to calculate the effects, according to surveys by the...
Early insurance claims from Qld floods top $43m
Peter Hannam Insurance claims from the latest Queensland floods have already topped $43 million, as river levels continue to rise in large parts of the state.
Expect to pay more for risky lifestyles
Peter Hannam With large parts of the country under threat during this bushfire season, it seems counter-intuitive to downplay the economic risks.
Insurers warn on rising risks
Peter Hannam Australia's exposure to natural risks is on the increase and governments at all levels should step up efforts to limit losses and prevent insurance costs spiralling higher, one of the country's...
Carbon out of mind, favour
Peter Hannam The carbon tax may have been a hot topic, but carbon trading is sliding down the corporate agenda.
Counting on an Abbott election win
Peter Hannam THE carbon tax may have been a hot political topic last year but carbon trading seems to be sliding down the corporate agenda, here and overseas.
Investment climate changes
Peter Hannam Getting companies and superannuation funds to reveal their performance on key environmental metrics such as fossil fuel reserves or carbon dioxide emissions can be an uphill battle.
Way clear for surge in wind power
Peter Hannam THE battle over large-scale wind farms might switch from the national level to the states, particularly NSW, after a federal authority recommended leaving the overall industry target unchanged.
Wind power surge predicted
Peter Hannam The battle over large-scale wind farms may now switch from the national level to the states, particularly New South Wales, after a federal authority recommended leaving the overall industry target...
Green fund names climate lawyer, banker to board
Peter Hannam The government's $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation has tapped a prominent climate change lawyer and a former investment banker to fill its final board positions.
Solar industry faces squeeze after review
Peter Hannam Australia's nascent solar power industry is likely to face fresh obstacles after an independent federal agency recommended further reductions in incentives for the sector.
Coal industry in last-minute push against renewable energy goal
Peter Hannam Coal miners have launched a last-minute lobbying bid against the extension of the Renewable Energy Target (RET), releasing a study challenging the policy’s effectiveness.
Emissions sink as consumers turn off coal
Peter Hannam Weak demand for electricity across eastern mainland states has sparked a 'dramatic fall' in greenhouse gas emissions from Australia's power stations, the latest review of data by consultants Pitt &...
Demonstrating the future of 'clean coal'
Peter Hannam If there is a future to clean coal, it may well be found in Banana Shire in central Queensland.
On the cusp of a boom, but wind could yet change
Peter Hannam The alternative energy sector is set to grow but dogged by policy doubt.
Owners, tenants unite and go green together
Peter Hannam IN AN Australian first this week, a building owner and its tenants agreed to share the cost of an environmental upgrade that will cut energy usage for lighting by 60 per cent, paying for the...
Australia takes a shine to solar energy research
Peter Hannam The Gillard government will step up investment in joint solar energy research with the US, using additional funds from its new $2.2 billion renewable energy agency.
