Many Australian companies are unaware that they have highly carbon-intensive supply chains and could be exposed to a future cost of carbon.

A new report from independent market analyst Datamonitor identifies that sustainable packaging is a growing consumer issue that has the potential to benefit numerous stakeholders. At present, consumer interest in packaging is relatively low in general; however, a high proportion of consumers are interested in the sustainability aspect of packaging.

Peak oil and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions mean that Australia will have no choice but to rely on alternative fuels in the future. Research suggests there are a number of alternatives that can bridge the gap, but a substantial investment in infrastructure is required before they are commercially available.

Industry is being challenged to reduce carbon emissions and its reliance on non-renewable fuel sources. Spurring this on has been volatile oil prices as well as the likely introduction of schemes such as the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). In this article, Juergen Peterseim* and Prof Dr-Ing Udo Hellwig** from ERK Eckrohrkessel GmbH describe technologies that are available and can make use of biomass as an alternative fuel source for industry.

Energy management and environmental performance are becoming increasingly significant across today’s commercial building sector. Building owners, developers and occupiers face a complex mix of design, application and classification requirements to meet Australia’s two key ‘green’ rating tools for office buildings - Green Star and NABERS Energy. Brett Annesley, Dynalite Segment Manager - Energy Management, sheds light on the issues from a lighting control and automation perspective.

The recent outcry in the national media over the spilling of around 200 tonnes of oil by a ship off the Queensland coast obscures another, far larger oil spill - and one more risky to the public health and Australian environment.

Given that landfills are one of the biggest potential emitters of greenhouse gases, SEMF*’s sustainability expert, Dr Gareth Forde, looks at how local government and landfill operators can reduce their emissions while at the same time generating revenue.

In 2009, the global solar industry remains in a very strong position, despite the faltering global economy. A number of factors are driving strong growth in the global solar industry today: government policy incentives and carbon regulation; volatility in the fossil fuels markets; climate change, energy security issues; and the need for increased energy production to meet growing demand.

Once upon a time, the IT department was ignored when it came to sustainability. But now, more and more Australian companies are wising up to the benefits of green IT. Andrew Collins explains how these new technologies can cut carbon emissions, power usage and your power bill.

In November, the New Zealand Minister of Energy Hon Gerry Brownlee opened what is claimed to be the largest wastewater algae to bio-crude oil demonstration project in the world.

A new technology that may hold the key to rapid, large-scale CO₂ emissions reduction from existing coal- and gas-fired power stations and other smoke-stack industries such as smelters and refineries has been unveiled as a curtain-raiser to three major trial installations along the east coast of Australia next year.

New MIT research points the way to a technology that might make it possible to harvest much of the wasted heat produced by everything from computer processor chips to car engines to electric powerplants, and turn it into usable electricity.

Despite contributing approximately 54 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually to the atmosphere, Australia's seven million dwellings currently have no role in the federal government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

General waste from Sydney’s newest shopping centre, Top Ryde City, is scheduled to be recovered and re-used to create renewable electricity, thanks to a waste management process implemented by Veolia Environmental Services. It is looking to recover up to 60-65% of all general waste and recyclable materials, once the centre launches in November.

MidCoast Water (MCW) delivers water and sewage services to the Manning and Great Lakes communities of New South Wales, supplying 11 billion L of water per year to 35,000 households spread over 7000 km².