A careful choice of materials when building a house can make the difference of nearly 50 tonnes in CO₂ emissions, according to a carbon calculator for houses.

Registrations are now open for Business Clean Up Day on 24 February 2009. Last year, over 250 businesses helped Clean Up Australia by nominating sites and giving up a few hours of their time to clear rubbish.

Southern Cross University has backed calls for the establishment of a national biofuels centre.

Following the launch of the T155 campaign which urges Melburnians to reduce average residential consumption to less than 155 L per person per day, a support program has been developed to encourage business to further cut water usage.

Environmentalist Rob Gell has been appointed to the role of national president of Greening Australia with the mandate to drive the organisation’s strategic response to rapid climate change.

A researcher who examined the recent history of wind power in Australia will receive a doctoral award from RMIT University this month.

The South Australian Parliament has passed legislation to ban plastic bags.

Schools across south-east Melbourne have been able to monitor their water use in real time, and save water in the process of being involved in South East Water’s HydroShare pilot program.

The Commerce Commission has released guidelines to businesses that make environmental, or ‘green’, claims in their marketing.

A project aiming to develop biodiesel feedstock that does not compete with food crops and can be grown in dry conditions has won the $10,000 Case IH Biodiesel Research Grant.

Henry Davis York, an Australian law firm, has compiled a sustainability report which is independently audited and Global Reporting Initiative compliant.

Perth’s Southern Metropolitan Regional Council has been recognised as an outstanding carbon offset provider by Choice in an independent ranking.

Sydney recycling company WSN Environmental Solutions has been honoured by the NSW government for its waste processing park in Sydney’s south-west, receiving a gold award in the 2008 Premier’s Public Sector Awards.

Solar company Conergy has confirmed its commitment to Australia and has asked the Australian government for a long-term commitment to the solar industry.

NSW households generating solar power will be paid for surplus electricity they pump into the grid under a new state government scheme.