Morning mail: land clearing discrepancies, research investment risk, ‘redemption’ hotel

Monday: Australia’s emissions from land clearing are likely far higher than claimed. Plus: exploding drone has failed to assassinate Iraqi PM

Good morning. Australia will lag behind the world if the government doesn’t amp up spending in research and development. Emissions from land clearing are likely far higher than claimed. And it’s only Monday, but if you’re already looking forward to a beer at the pub this weekend, Sydney’s historic Annandale Hotel – after a controversial journey – reopens this week.

Australia’s emissions from land clearing are likely far higher than reported to the United Nations, new analysis indicates, sparking calls for an independent review of the sector. Researchers assessed satellite imagery of more than 50 properties in Queensland and found significant discrepancies between what is treated as cleared land by Australia’s National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS) and the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (Slats) used by the state government. The Australian government has relied on its reporting of falls in land-clearing rates for almost all the reductions that allow it to claim the country’s emissions have fallen by about one-fifth since 2005.

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from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31GhmeT