Australia now has its first registered Green Star - Communities PILOT project. The ‘loop’ precinct in Canberra has been registered for a Green Star - Communities PILOT rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) PILOT rating tool for sustainable communities. [ + ]

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the national power system and market operator, does not foresee any energy supply security impacts during the immediate transition period following the introduction of the carbon price on 1 July 2012. [ + ]

Eight companies from Victoria and Western Australia have agreed to improve their business practices and provide awareness training to staff after failing to comply with national water-efficiency labelling and standards legislation at their business premises. [ + ]

Canon Oceania is calling for applicants for its annual environmental grants program. Grants in-kind worth $40,000* are available to Australian and New Zealand organisations making a positive impact on their environment and community. [ + ]

In response to the impacts of climate change on the built environment, the ASBEC Climate Change Task Group has launched a 10-point framework calling for a stronger role for government to improve the resilience of urban communities against extreme weather events and predicted future climate change. [ + ]

The Siemens Stiftung (foundation) has launched a worldwide competition aimed at identifying and granting better access to appropriate technological solutions as one of the key levers for sustainable development. The ‘empowering people. Award’ was announced at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20. [ + ]

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities today released the ‘Biosolids Snapshot’. The report is intended to provide a snapshot of biosolids in Australia. [ + ]

A University of Wollongong (UOW) invention will help governments around the world measure greenhouse gases following the university’s decision to commercialise its greenhouse gas analyser - the Spectronus - in partnership with Australian environmental monitoring solutions manufacturer Ecotech. [ + ]

Businesses that try to price gouge - or improperly inflate prices - following the introduction of the carbon price in July could be opening the door to a new wave of consumer class actions. [ + ]

A new agricultural accolade will be named in honour of former Prime Minister and Landcare advocate Bob Hawke. [ + ]

The seemingly impossible dream of producing steel with the help of recycled materials such as old rubber tyres and plastics is now a reality thanks to close researcher-industry collaboration. [ + ]

Modelling from carbon analytics firm RepuTex indicates investment in new mines will continue to drive production for the best part of the next decade, with output and resultant carbon emissions forecast to rise to record levels. [ + ]

On 21 June, Stephen Mitchell, Sustainability Program Manager with the Timber Development Association of NSW, launched the online end-of-life wood pallets and packaging diversion calculator at Direct Pallets and Recycling, a new recycling centre at Ingleburn in Sydney’s south-west. [ + ]

Pilbara communities will save up to 1.15 billion litres of water each year through a $1.5 million expansion of water-efficiency projects. [ + ]

A typical 50 MW wind farm pays host farmers some $250,000 per year, is constructed by workers who spend up to $1.2 million locally and contributes up to $80,000 annually to community projects, according to a landmark study into the economic benefits of wind farms. [ + ]