The COP30 summit definitely needs one ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Ten years ago, Australia had just killed off its carbon price, and its climate policy was more likely to kill political careers than influence the global agenda. Despite the Liberal party’s current determination to relive those days, it’s a very different story for the country as a whole. As negotiators head to Belém in Brazil for the 30th annual United Nations climate talks, Australia will come armed with stronger emissions targets and a booming renewable energy rollout.

As Wesley Morgan and Ben Newell explain, Australia may find itself a climate leader at COP30.

Shifting geopolitics will loom large over the fortnight-long meeting, writes Jacqueline Peel, one of many Australians who will be at the summit. A decade after the Paris Agreement, important questions about emissions targets and climate finance remain. With the United States turning its back on climate action and the European Union struggling to maintain ambition, can negotiators find a path forward on the biggest issue of our time?

Doug Hendrie

Deputy Environment + Energy Editor

As global climate action threatens to stall, can Australia step up at COP30 in Brazil?

Wesley Morgan, UNSW Sydney; Ben Newell, UNSW Sydney

Australia will go to the COP30 climate talks with better emissions targets and a desire to boost flagging action.

Geopolitics, backsliding and progress: here’s what to expect at this year’s COP30 global climate talks

Jacqueline Peel, The University of Melbourne

As climate change worsens, some states are backsliding on climate action. Next week, negotiators will gather in Brazil to try to restore flagging energy.

‘America’s big case’: the US Supreme Court raises doubts about Trump’s tariff regime

Catherine Gascoigne, Macquarie University

Supreme Court justices from both sides of politics were sceptical about the emergency powers used to impose tariffs.

Grattan on Friday: November 11 1975 – watching history being made, from the best seats in the house

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The dismissal is etched into the minds of all who were there at the time, but at its 50th anniversary, is its legacy really appreciated?

As retail workers brace for the silly season, this 20c solution could dial down customer verbal abuse

Gary Mortimer, Queensland University of Technology; Maria Lucila Osorio Andrade, Tecnológico de Monterrey; Shasha Wang, Queensland University of Technology

Protecting retail workers from abuse is a growing challenge. But a new study and a past trial suggest three little words on a badge can nudge customers to be nicer.

‘Food deserts’ found even in areas with supermarkets nearby – new study

Tayla Broadbridge, University of Adelaide

An analysis of 420 million supermarket transactions shows that understanding what people buy – not just where they live – is key to creating healthier communities.

We studied 217 tropical cyclones globally to see how people died. Our findings might surprise you

Wenzhong Huang, Monash University; Shandy (Shanshan) Li, Monash University; Yuming Guo, Monash University

Tropical cyclones can be even more deadly – and for a wider range of reasons – than we ever thought.

Politics + Society
Young people are increasingly being killed or injured on e-bikes. It’s time for governments to act Milad Haghani, The University of Melbourne There is a lack of regulation across Australia when it comes to e-bike use, with young riders often paying the price.

Health + Medicine

Pharmac wants to trim its controversial medicines waiting list – no list at all might be better

Paula Lorgelly, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Braden Te Ao, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Richard Edlin, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

NZ's drug-buying agency could base its purchasing decisions on how much health improvement the same amount of money would achieve in other parts of the health system.
Taking prescription opioids for too long can be harmful. Here’s how to cut back and stop

Aili Langford, University of Sydney; Christine Lin, University of Sydney

When the risks of taking prescribed opioids outweigh the benefits, it’s time to reduce your dose or stop. New research shows how to do this safely.

Business + Economy
AI can help the government spend billions better. But humans have to be in charge Marta Andhov, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Government procurement has social, economic and environmental impacts. AI could help produce more sustainable outcomes, but only with strong rules and oversight.

Science + Technology
Even in a simple game, our brains keep score – and those scores shape every choice we make Denise Moerel, Western Sydney University; Manuel Varlet, Western Sydney University; Tijl Grootswagers, Western Sydney University Humans are surprisingly bad at being unpredictable.

Arts + Culture

Universal Music went from suing an AI company to partnering with it. What will it mean for artists?

Oliver Bown, UNSW Sydney; Kathy Bowrey, UNSW Sydney

The new deal might seem like a ‘win’ for artists at face value. But how it actually benefits them remains unclear.
New laws will force streaming giants to invest in local content – but it’s too soon to celebrate

Alexa Scarlata, RMIT University

Much remains uncertain about how the legislation will practically affect streamers such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+.

Books + Ideas
Friday essay: Debra Dank’s grandmother was a ‘drover’s boy’. Her stolen wages can’t be recovered Debra Dank, University of South Australia Stella Prize-shortlisted author Debra Dank reflects on how her family’s lives were scarred by stolen wages and colonial violence – and on the complexities of apologies.

Time for supermarkets to change
"I loved the story on plastic recycling and how industry has shifted the narrative towards individual responsibility while they churn out more single-use packaging. The law reforms will help but so will supermarkets adopting more bulk refilling services so customers can choose to avoid packaging in the first place."
Andrew Napier

Up, up, prices are up
"I support renewables, but am getting frustrated with not seeing our residential electricity costs reduce – they ONLY go up. Platitudes about 'but they wouldn't have gone up as much' were certainly not part of the original conversation! Would be great if you could publish an article on the above."
Michael Buchanan
Ed: Good idea! We published this explainer earlier this year and it’s a space we’re constantly watching.

Who says?
"The Conversation is a valued part of my day-to-day reading, however, some of the lines I'm not so impressed with. Here's one: 'If your friend circle has shrunk, you’re not alone – and reaching out is easier than you think.' How do you know it’s easier than I think? It's a bit patronising and takes the shine off an otherwise great article."
Ron Dowd

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