GBCA welcomes new rating system for sustainable infrastructure
01 March, 2012
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has welcomed the introduction of the nation’s first rating scheme for sustainable infrastructure projects. The Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Scheme, launched by the Australian Green Infrastructure Council (AGIC), comprises a rating tool, assessment process and education and training programs.
Veolia renews 5-year partnership with Red Cross
29 February, 2012The French Red Cross and the Veolia Environnement Foundation have renewed their partnership for a further five years. Started in 1998 when Hurricane Mitch devastated Nicaragua, the aim of the partnership is to provide populations in difficulty with access to the essential services of drinking water, energy and waste collection.
Australian Cleantech Review 2012
29 February, 2012The Australian Cleantech sector is profiled to a greater extent than ever before in a report published at the Australasian Cleantech Forum in Melbourne. The report provides an overview of the location, activities, revenue, employee numbers and funds raised by all of Australia’s leading cleantech companies.
Sneak peek at new rating tool for sustainable communities
29 February, 2012After four years in the making, 38 sponsors and supporters, 135 members of technical working groups and committees, and 35 credits refined down from 85, the Green Star - Communities rating tool is almost ready for release. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) will be hosting a ‘sneak peek’ of Green Star - Communities at Green Cities 2012.
Rockwell Automation on the Move in Melbourne
28 February, 2012Rockwell Automation on the Move is soon to tour Australia, providing industry with a showcase of technology, products and services. The two-day event commences in Melbourne on 6 March with the participation of the Hon Greg Combet, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
UQ heads international collaboration to strengthen crop management across the Pacific
28 February, 2012The University of Queensland (UQ) is heading an international collaboration to further the sustainable development of high-value crops in the Pacific Islands. Dr Mike Furlong, from UQ’s School of Biological Sciences, is leading the $3.47m five-year Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project to diagnose and research emerging pest and disease problems before they impact on newly intensified crops.
Cane growers, conservationists and Coca-Cola meet in Townsville for the Project Catalyst Growers Forum
28 February, 2012The Project Catalyst Growers Forum, being held at Townsville’s Jupiters Casino from 27-29 February, will see sugarcane growers meet with conservationists, natural resources groups and Coca-Cola to focus on reducing the impact sugarcane production has on freshwater quality and the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia and India collaborate on green energy management system
28 February, 2012Imagine you’re at work and there is a power blackout. Your company’s electrical grid taps into your car batteries. Along with rooftop solar panels and the energy stored in hundreds of your colleagues’ vehicles, this keeps the wheels of industry turning.
Clean Technology Investment Programs move Australian manufacturing towards a cleaner future
24 February, 2012Australian manufacturing is moving towards a clean energy future as $1 billion in funding will be provided to the industry to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution. The Clean Technology Investment Programs, launched on 16 February, will provide grants to help manufacturers buy new plant equipment which reduces carbon pollution or cuts their energy costs.
UQ wastewater innovation vies for international water prize
23 February, 2012University of Queensland (UQ)-based start-up company Bilexys has been announced as a finalist in the US$200,000 Imagine H20 2011 Prize for Water Start-ups. The company approaches wastewater treatment as an opportunity to biologically convert the organics within wastewater into high-value chemical products, including sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
The energy retailer of the future
15 February, 2012 | Supplied by: Origin EnergyIn the quest to become more energy efficient and reduce our greenhouse gas output, the question of whether we can rely on energy retailers to help us in this journey is often asked. Jennifer Baltatzidis, Principal Consultant in Energy Engineering at Origin Energy, presents her opinion on this subject.
NABERS training series now open for registrations
15 February, 2012
The 2012 NABERS training series for people to become accredited assessors or simply better understand how the NABERS rating tools work are now open for registration. Courses are being held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.
Reducing carbon pollution at the core of new study
15 February, 2012Curtin University researchers have been awarded a $1.4 million grant to independently assess the injection capacity of carbon dioxide (CO2) at selected sites, to assist local communities, industry and government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Chloe Munro to take up new position as Chair/CEO of the Clean Energy Regulator
14 February, 2012The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon Greg Combet, has announced the appointment of Chloe Munro as Chair/CEO of the new Clean Energy Regulator with effect from 2 April. The Clean Energy Regulator will implement and administer the carbon price mechanism, the National Greenhouse Energy Reporting Scheme, the Renewable Energy Target, the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units and the Carbon Farming Initiative.
Tougher laws needed to smash green smoke screens
14 February, 2012Law reform and tougher legal sanctions to stop greenwashing are critical, according to a leading intellectual property expert from The Australian National University.
