Industry News
LED street lighting trial in world’s largest cities shows up to 85% energy savings
LED (light-emitting diodes) street lighting can generate energy savings as high as 85%, an independent, global trial of the technology has found. The program also indicates that citizens of pilot cities prefer LED lighting, citing the social and environmental benefits. [ + ]
Sunny side up: solar’s the new renewable energy star
Investments in solar power overtook those in wind power for the first time in 2011, and the latest deals suggest this is only the start, says a new report by energy industry experts GlobalData. [ + ]
NZ businesses encouraged to join transformational sustainability program
New Zealand’s Sustainable Practice 360 program helps organisations make the transition to greener operations and has a new intake of businesses planned for October this year. The program will be delivered through Otago Polytechnic’s Centre for Sustainable Practice. [ + ]
NSW government sustainability program helps businesses save $6.3m a year
A bank, a confectioner, a glass manufacturer, a waste management operation and a zoo are among 34 leading businesses and organisations saving $6.3 million annually through a NSW Government sustainability program. [ + ]
Review of Renewable Energy Target a threat to investment and jobs
Major investment and jobs are at risk if the federal government changes the 20% Renewable Energy Target, the head of one of Australia’s largest companies told the audience at Clean Energy Week on Wednesday. [ + ]
Australia to catch the wave and hang ten (per cent, that is)
A study by CSIRO has found that the waves in the ocean could supply about 10% of Australia’s electricity by 2050. This is equivalent to powering a city the size of Melbourne. [ + ]
Over 140,000 New Zealanders demand a clean energy future
Earlier this week, groups from around New Zealand converged on parliament to deliver a 140,000-plus signature petition, calling on John Key’s government to abandon its fossil fuels agenda in favour of clean energy. [ + ]
McDonald’s rewarded with stars for going green
Kilsyth South McDonald’s is the first Australian restaurant to be recognised with Green Star certification. The establishment has been awarded a 4 Star Green Star - Custom Design rating for developing a new benchmark for the design of environmentally sustainable restaurants. [ + ]
Science bursary assists aspiring students
The Condamine Alliance has established a new bursary with the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in 2012 to assist aspiring students to reach their full potential in a career in resource management. [ + ]
Publication of National Waste Policy Implementation Report 2011
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, on behalf of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Environment and Water, has released the National Waste Policy Implementation Report 2011. [ + ]
Australian Government and telcos encourage mobile phone recycling
Australia’s telecommunications manufacturers and carriers together with Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, have launched the industry’s online video encouraging mobile phone recycling. [ + ]
Low Carbon milestone: Australia’s major companies avoid 1 million tonnes of carbon pollution annually
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus today applauded members of Low Carbon Australia’s Carbon Neutral Program for avoiding more than 1 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution and providing a role model for other businesses. [ + ]
How-to guide on lighting bring businesses energy savings
Powering lights is 15-25% of the electricity bill for NSW businesses. That cost can be cut by as much as 82% and a new report from the NSW Government shows businesses how. [ + ]
Impact of the carbon price on local council landfills
A number of local governments from around Australia have asked about how the carbon price will apply to pollution from local landfill sites and the potential impact this might have on rates for local communities. In a number of cases, the potential effect on rates has been overestimated, misrepresented or misreported. [ + ]
Gillard government announces improvements to rural R&D
The Gillard government today announced significant improvements to rural research, development and extension which will see greater collaboration on research, efforts to increase investment and a drive to improve the adoption of innovation across the sector. [ + ]
