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Climate litigator David Barnden had a landmark win this month against a major superannuation fund. He tells Guardian Australia he is just getting started

In the public imagination, blockbuster litigation involves grand courtrooms, passionate advocacy and granite-faced judges. These hallmarks were curiously absent from the recent denouement to a lawsuit between 25-year-old Mark McVeigh and his superannuation fund, Rest. No grand oratory from robed barristers, no victory-speeches on the courtroom steps – just a press release and a confidential settlement agreement.

What the conclusion to McVeigh v Rest lacked in symbolism, it made up for in substance. McVeigh’s case, which has resulted in Rest committing to a net zero carbon footprint by 2050 and a suite of short-term measures, is one of the most significant climate litigation outcomes in Australia to date. Its mastermind? A softly-spoken Sydney solicitor, with dual passions for surfing and climate action.

Related: Australian super fund agrees to factor climate crisis into decisions in ‘groundbreaking' case

For anyone who takes time to understand the likely predictions, it is really difficult to turn a blind eye to it

I certainly hope the time comes that I am out of a job

Accreditation process putting off builders and installers from plan to improve energy efficiency of homes in England

The government’s plan to insulate England’s draughty homes is faltering because builders and installers are failing to sign up, leaving thousands of households unable to access the £3bn green home grants.

Offering up to £5,000 – or £10,000 for those on low incomes – for energy efficiency measures such as insulation and heat pumps, the scheme is intended to help people save on gas and electricity bills and cut carbon emissions, as well as creating thousands of green jobs. It was unveiled in July as part of an economic rescue package for the coronavirus pandemic.

Hopes rise that the Flow Country, the world’s largest carbon store, could become first peatland to win the status

Andrew Coupar has crouched down by a small pool, its surface peppered with the small stalks of bogbean. In autumn its dark green oval leaves echo the muted browns, greens and ochres of the surrounding peatland.

In spring, however, the bogbean’s pink-fringed white flowers put on a remarkable display, carpeting the cluster of pools that mirror the blue skies and light clouds above and, along the horizon to west, the mountains of Sutherland.

Swingeing cuts and lack of support hinder meaningful action, says Green councillor

The woman behind the first climate emergency declaration by a UK council says swingeing cuts and a lack of support from central government have hampered local authority attempts to tackle the escalating problem.

Bristol Green party councillor Carla Denyer proposed the UK’s first climate emergency motion two years ago, committing the city council to go carbon neutral by 2030. Since then three-quarters of local authorities across the UK – as well as universities, the UK parliament and scores of other organisations – have followed suit with their own climate emergency declarations.

Related: 'We want real action': young activists aim to fill void on climate with Mock Cop26

Related: Renewable energy defies Covid-19 to hit record growth in 2020