The NSW Land and Environment Court has imposed $2.1 million in fines for eight offences, with half to be paid by high-profile farmer Ron Greentree.

The NSW Net Zero Commission has warned the state is not on track to meet legislated emission reduction targets and that any expansion of coal mining will force other industries to make deeper cuts.

A coal miner for 44 years, Grant Howard was among 170 people arrested at the Rising Tide blockade of the Port of Newcastle.

“The Minns government can’t arrest their way out of the fact that people are freaked out about climate crisis and angry that the government is continuing to approve new coal and gas projects.”

From harnessing the power of lightning to make fertiliser to using yeast to produce forest-friendly palm oil, these start-ups are helping solve big environmental problems.