It began with a bet between billionaires. In March 2017, Atlassian chief Mike Cannon-Brookes challenged Tesla boss Elon Musk to make good on a thought bubble about using batteries to solve South Australia's energy problems. "Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free," Mr Musk replied.

There's a growing consensus on the urgent need to bring down carbon emissions, and the global rallying cry is net zero. This isn't just a climate target, it's become a badge of commitment. There's also a realisation that it won't be easy.

As organisations are forced to confront unprecedented rises in energy costs, an emerging group of Australian innovators in the energy sector is finding new opportunities and scaling for growth.

The free program which starts on August 2 will see 40 successful applicants selected to participate in workshops and presentations that will give them the know-how and skills to raise funds (whether it be angel investing, crowdfunding or venture capital), how to create a business model, a go-to-market strategy, and more.

Home owners could soon save money on loans and insurance by making their homes more energy efficient, while banks and insurers gain new insights into the sustainability of their residential portfolios, thanks to Adelaide-based fintech startup ValAi.

We asked six environmental experts to each nominate a book about the climate crisis that offers hope.

The pro-business, pro-environment ‘teal independents’ could help to usher in a greener government in the May 21 vote

The billionaire venture capitalist said the study of climate change and sustainability would be the “new computer science.”

Grok Ventures believe the Board’s plan to split AGL into two companies would deliver a terrible outcome for shareholders, customers, Australian taxpayers and the planet. Decarbonisation is one of Australia’s biggest economic opportunities and a vital challenge the world needs to solve.

UK companies attracted 18% of Europe’s cleantech investment amid a record year of funding for the sector, according to new data. The report, compiled by IP and R&D tax credit firm GovGrant, shows that last year investors poured £134bn into cleantech firms across Europe.

The inaugural LinkedIn Top Green Voices highlights 15 thought leaders in Australia and New Zealand who are posting insightful content and shaping conversations around sustainability, climate change and protecting the environment.

Voyager Ventures last week announced a $100 million fund focused on early-stage climate tech companies. The size alone is impressive for an inaugural fund, and its backing includes many big names in tech and investing.

Climate change is an issue that affects everyone on the planet but women and girls are the ones suffering its effects the most. Why? Because women and girls have less access to quality education and later, job opportunities.

For low-income communities around the world, climate innovations can prove still inaccessible, irrelevant or even futile. If we are all to take part in restoring our planet’s health — which is necessary if we wish to see significant progress on the climate front — innovation will have to expand beyond its current boundaries.

Here in Australia we pride ourselves on our world-class coffee. The only problem is that pang of guilt every time we throw one of those plastic-lined disposable cups into the bin – adding up to about a billion of them every year. So whenever a business comes up with an innovative way to reduce café waste, we’re all interested.

A growing cadre of people, many of them young, are fighting climate doomism, the notion that it’s too late to turn things around. They believe that focusing solely on terrible climate news can sow dread and paralysis, foster inaction, and become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Climate change creates business opportunities. So does social change, says Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet.

In the lead-up to COP26, the Swedish activist talked about Biden’s climate plan, the media’s responsibility, and what gives her hope.

Colleges offer support as young people aim to devote their lives to battling the crisis