The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has endorsed New Zealand ‘no-tillage’ technology for reducing the impact of climate change on the production of crops. Now, the crusade to encourage more farmers to adopt no-tillage techniques on their properties has been taken to Europe. [ + ]

An international design competition will be launched on 11 September to attract plans to help transition the Latrobe Valley into a low-carbon future. [ + ]

Itron has announced that on 1 July 2012, water utility Sydney Water began the three-year-long installation of Itron’s high-efficiency meters to replace old meters that serve its residential and commercial customers in Sydney. [ + ]

The Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand’s (CCANZ) 2012 Concrete³ Sustainability Awards are now open for entry, offering those in the construction industry the chance to be recognised for their sustainable achievements. [ + ]

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has applauded the Gillard government for its commitment to Australia’s green building future, with the announcement that a smaller increase to the rate of Withholding Tax (WHT) will be applied to new building projects achieving 5 Star or 6 Star Green Star ratings. [ + ]

Australia’s first national Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme was launched in Perth on 19 June 2012, by Main Roads Western Australia Managing Director Menno Henneveld. [ + ]

A NSW cattle breeder, a national grocery distribution company, a community project restoring tropical rainforest and a government program helping farmers adapt to changing weather patterns have been named the 2012 NCCARF Australian Climate Adaptation Champions. [ + ]

The Australian Energy Research Institute (AERI) at UNSW has appointed internationally recognised industry expert George Maltabarow as its inaugural Chairman, bolstering important links to industry and government. [ + ]

Almost 300 organisations have galvanised under the banner of Businesses for a Clean Economy to voice their support for putting a price on carbon. [ + ]

With the carbon tax now operating and energy price rises kicking in, the economics around solar power are making it look even cheaper. [ + ]

The Clean Energy Council has said that the commencement of the carbon price yesterday represents a key step in the transformation of Australia’s energy sector, moving Australia toward a clean energy economy that will shield us from higher costs over the long term. [ + ]

Better understanding of the groundwater and surface water impacts of coal seam gas production is essential, according to Professor Sue Golding from the University of Queensland, an international expert on coal seam gas and carbon sequestration in sedimentary basins. [ + ]

The CDP Water Disclosure Australia Report, launched yesterday by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), finds that only 55% of the ASX 100 companies that responded to the CDP Water questionnaire report board-level oversight of water-related policies, strategies or plans. [ + ]

Nubian Water Systems announced yesterday the first in a series of steps to grow its water treatment and recycling business with the acquisition of UV-Guard Australia, an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology and services business. [ + ]

VCS has approved a new methodology to quantify and credit GHG emission reductions from projects that substitute gasoline with ethanol in commercial fleets of flex-fuel vehicles. [ + ]