Industry News
Climate change expert claims predictions on track
A new report co-authored by Professor David Frame, Director of the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute at Victoria University, has confirmed that climate change predictions made 20 years ago are proving reasonably accurate. [ + ]
Data to accelerate development of CCS technology
Geoscience Australia has released new pre-competitive data that will contribute to Australia’s efforts to accelerate the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which will help reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. [ + ]
Low Carbon project provides efficiency boost to Latrobe electricity network
Low Carbon Australia is financing an $11 million pilot energy-generation project at Traralgon in Victoria that demonstrates the potential for power security across Australia’s eastern seaboard. NovaPower will use high-efficiency Caterpillar gas-fired engines in an innovative solution that provides lower-emissions power and defers network investments, thus reducing costs to electricity users. [ + ]
Establishment of the Product Stewardship Advisory Group
The Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water has announced the establishment of the Product Stewardship Advisory Group. [ + ]
GHD cleans up at Consult Australia Awards
Engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD has been recognised at the 2012 Consult Australia Awards for Excellence. [ + ]
Alice Springs solar generation now 10% of town’s power needs
Today’s launch of Alice Solar City’s fifth and final large iconic project at Alice Springs’ Araluen Arts Centre sees the town now meeting up to 10% of its daytime electricity needs from the sun. [ + ]
Data analysis for the National Sustainability Council
At its second meeting in Melbourne last week, the National Sustainability Council discussed its preliminary analysis of data against the Australian Government’s sustainability indicators and agreed on priority areas of focus for its first report. [ + ]
WEC, WBCSD and GSEP combine strengths to advance energy access and climate goals
Three of the world’s largest energy and sustainability networks have joined forces within the Global Electricity Initiative (GEI) to support electrical utilities’ efforts to tackle climate change and improve energy access. [ + ]
Victorian science prizes awarded for sustainability
The Victorian Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher, has announced two winners of this year’s Victorian Prize for Science and Innovation and 12 winners of the Victorian Fellowship. Three of the award winners won for their efforts in sustainability. [ + ]
Airport Link design team receive highest honour in Bentley awards
The team responsible for the design of the Brisbane Airport Link projects - the Parsons Brinckerhoff and Arup Joint Venture (PBAJV) - received the ‘Special Recognition Award for Sustaining our Society’ at the Bentley 2012 Be Inspired Awards on 14 November in Amsterdam. [ + ]
PV power plants to boost South Africa’s renewable program
Power and automation technology group ABB has won orders worth around $225 million to supply two turnkey photovoltaic (PV) power plants that will be built in the northern province of Limpopo in South Africa. [ + ]
Green label cred crisis
In an effort to stem consumer concern prompted by a flood of ‘eco-labels’ and green claims by product manufacturers, the Buying Better project has released its proposals to improve the reliability of ‘green’ credentials. [ + ]
Awards for Sydney businesses going green
DEXUS Property Group and Buildcorp are the latest organisations recognised in the City of Sydney’s CitySwitch Green Office Awards, thanks to measures such as solar panels, improved computer management and lighting. [ + ]
ISO brochure on the construction industry published
ISO has published a brochure, ‘ISO & construction’, which gives a concise overview of its substantial portfolio of International Standards for the construction sector. [ + ]
Environmental NGOs join call for more action on CCS
The Australian-based Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) has commended the latest report by the international ENGO Network on carbon capture and storage (CCS), calling for more governmental support for CCS development. [ + ]