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Emissions from road traffic, power generation and industry were substantially reduced during pandemic lockdown periods globally. Thus, we analysed reductions in traffic-related air pollution in Australian capital cities during March–April 2020 and then modelled the mortality benefits that could be realised if similar reductions were sustained by structural policy interventions. Satellite, air pollution monitor and land use observations were used to estimate ground-level nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) concentrations in all Australian capital cities during: (a) a typical year with no prolonged air pollution events; (b) a hypothetical sustained reduction in NO 2 equivalent to the COVID-19 lockdowns. We use the WHO recommended NO 2 exposure-response coefficient for mortality (1.023, 95 % CI: 1.008–1.037, per 10 μg/m3 annual average) to assess gains in life expectancy and population-wide years of life from reduced exposure to traffic-related air pollution. We attribute 1.1 % of deaths to anthropogenic NO 2 exposures in Australian cities, corresponding to a total of 13,340 years of life lost annually. Although COVID-19-related reductions in NO 2 varied widely between Australian cities during April 2020, equivalent and sustained reductions in NO 2 emissions could reduce NO 2 -attributable deaths by 27 %, resulting in 3348 years of life gained annually. COVID-19 mobility restrictions reduced NO 2 emissions and population-wide exposures in Australian cities. When sustained to the same extent by policy interventions that reduce fossil fuel consumption by favouring the uptake of electric vehicles, active travel and public transport, the health, mortality and economic benefits will be measurable in Australian cities. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian food system significantly contributes to a range of key environmental issues, including harmful greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, soil desertification, biodiversity loss and water scarcity. At the same time, the Australian food system is a key cause of public health nutrition issues that stem from the co-existence of over- and under-consumption of dietary energy and nutrients. Within these challenges lie synergies and opportunities, because a diet that has a lower environmental impact generally aligns with good nutrition. Australian State and Federal initiatives to influence food consumption patterns focus on individual body weight and 'soft law' interventions. These regulatory approaches, by focusing on select symptoms of food system failures, are fragmented, reductionist and inefficient. In order to illustrate this point, this article will explore Australian regulatory responses to diet-related illnesses. The analysis will support the argument that only when regulatory responses to diets become embedded within reform of the current food system, will substantial improvements to human and planetary health be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the economy profile of Australia. According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia is the strongest in the developed world in the May 2012 economic outlook. It cites the Climate Change Adaptation Framework in 2007 of the Council of Australian Governments and the negotiating position of the country associated with the U.S. The importance of Clean Energy Future package to the reduction of the country's high emissions is also mentioned.

The article focuses on a report released by the Business Council of Australia, which highlights the need for increase in investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and the need for the country to lift its 2030 emissions reduction target.

The article focuses on Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott's decision to scrap country's carbon-pricing scheme. Topics discussed include plans of the U.S. and the European Union (EU) to curb emissions by the end of 2020, China's plan to participate in a binding international climate agreement to be signed in Paris, France in 2015, and role played by North America, Europe, and Asia in controlling emissions and in stimulating innovation of clean-energy technologies.