Reinvigorated environmental focus for NSW councils
08 January, 2009
Specialist training for NSW councils and Regional Organisations of Councils is being presented by the Urban Sustainbility Support Alliance (USSA). The training is designed to help councils make sustainability a key part of their planning and practices and ensure their community's ecological future.
Rainwater harvesting DVD
01 January, 2009 | Supplied by: Davey Water Products
A Rainwater Harvesting Guide, designed to inform plumbers, building contractors and interested householders about the principles of rainwater harvesting for household or even commercial building water-saving applications, is now available.
Investment to help business be green
23 December, 2008
The NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Carmel Tebbutt, announced two new programs to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and help NSW businesses cut power use.
Irrigation modernisation plan
23 December, 2008
International professional services company GHD has been engaged to develop an irrigation modernisation plan for one of Australia’s most important irrigation areas.
Response to Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
19 December, 2008
International professional services company GHD has welcomed the federal government’s unveiling of its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) but has identified significant risks for business.
Saving water key to reducing energy use
17 December, 2008
A report by CSIRO and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) gives a clearer picture of water and energy use in Australia and New Zealand and highlights areas offering potentially significant water and energy savings.
Uncertainty persists with agriculture's role in the CPRS
17 December, 2008
Uncertainty persists about agriculture's role in the federal government's carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS) beyond 2015, according to farmers.
Earth Hour 2009 to promote Australian green innovation internationally
16 December, 2008
One billion people in more than 1000 cities are expected to participate in Earth Hour 2009, the Australian-originated campaign to raise climate change awareness.
Sustainable companies of the year announced
16 December, 2008
Corporate Express Australia, an office supply and services company, has been awarded this year's Sustainable Company of the Year Award.
Soft target, more hand-outs
16 December, 2008
The Australian government released the Climate Change White Paper on 15 December 2008 — Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme: Australia's Low Pollution Future. This follows on from the green paper released in July and is the final design. The design still includes an emission trading mechanism which will start on July 2010 but the emission reduction target has been reduced to an unconditional cut of 5% of 2000 level by 2020. Despite the lower target, generous compensation plans and free pollution permits are being handed out, leaving little money left for energy efficiency measures.
House carbon calculator
11 December, 2008
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.
Support program targets business water use
09 December, 2008
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.
President of Greening Australia appointed
09 December, 2008
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.
Commerce Commission releases guidelines on green claims
04 December, 2008
The Commerce Commission has released guidelines to businesses that make environmental, or ‘green’, claims in their marketing.
Schools save 31 megalitres
04 December, 2008
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.