Research by Dr Ian Thomas of RMIT University has shown that while the demand for environment professionals continues, there are fewer students entering universities to gain environmental qualifications. [ + ]

The Yingli Green Energy Australian office was officially opened in Sydney by NSW Government Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy Rob Stokes and Yingli Solar Vice President Judy Lee last night (8 August). [ + ]

Royal Philips will soon be the first lighting company in New Zealand to phase out its trade range of incandescent bulbs. The company’s supply of Softone bulbs to electrical wholesalers will be phased out from 1 October. [ + ]

Solar PV manufacturer Yingli Green Energy - which markets its products under the brand Yingli Solar - has entered into a distribution agreement with L&H Solar + Solutions, a subsidiary of L&H Group, the largest electrical wholesaler in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

The Solar Decathlon is considered the largest sustainable building research and innovation competition in the world. The event features teams from 20 universities around the world who compete to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost effective and energy efficient. [ + ]

Auckland Council’s Graham Street Service Centre has been awarded 3.5 stars for energy use under NABERSNZ. The office building energy measurement and rating scheme was launched in New Zealand in June, modelled on Australia’s original version of the system. [ + ]

The family-run business Waste Converters Recycling has been awarded $466,000 through the Victorian Government’s Driving Investment for New Recycling program, which the company will use to expand its Dandenong South recycling facility. [ + ]

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Sundrop Farms have announced an in-principle agreement for the CEFC to co-finance a major greenhouse development at Sundrop’s farm in Port Augusta, South Australia. [ + ]

Lighting Council Australia has officially taken on responsibility for the FluoroCycle scheme. The voluntary scheme aims to reduce the amount of harmful mercury entering the environment from the disposal of waste mercury-containing lamps. [ + ]

Researchers at Monash University, working under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), have developed an ionic liquid-based thermocell which provides a source of electricity from the harvesting of waste heat. [ + ]

A company introducing green energy from wastewater technologies to Australasia is forging partnerships to help companies more easily afford the most sustainable and cost-efficient solutions for their individual site’s needs. [ + ]

The initial report on coal seam gas (CSG) activities across NSW, by the state’s Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane, has been welcomed by federal Resources Minister Gary Gray as well as biogeochemistry researchers at Southern Cross University (SCU). [ + ]

Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Director of the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials and Research and Technology (SMaRT), will next week present her keynote at a breakfast event, revealing how it is possible to take a good idea in the research phase and turn it into a strong commercial reality. [ + ]

Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) this year celebrates a decade of bringing clean water, sanitation and energy to needy communities worldwide. The organisation is the City of Sydney’s official charity partner for the 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve. [ + ]

Consulting, design, construction and operations firm CH2M Hill has released the white paper ‘Sustainability Goals that Make an Impact’. The study focuses on the link between sustainability goal-setting, environmental and financial performance and stakeholder recognition, making the case for more tangible goals. [ + ]