Major genome project heralds freedom from fossil fuel-based fertilisers
28 October, 2010
The world is one step closer to being freed from a reliance on fossil fuel-based fertiliser with the announcement of a $10 million project underway at Murdoch University.
Annual Report highlights water reform progress
28 October, 2010
The National Water Commission has released its 2009-10 Annual Report. Acting CEO of the National Water Commission, James Cameron said, “This report outlines the Commission’s contributions to advancing national water reform in 2009-10.”
Climate change: cultural shift needed similar to smoking
28 October, 2010
Despite scientific evidence of climate change, it will take a significant cultural shift in attitudes to address the situation, says a University of Michigan researcher.
Biodegradable bag made from CO2 emissions
27 October, 2010
Melbourne packaging technology company Cardia Bioplastics Limited has developed a biodegradable plastic bag created from a blend of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions and starch.
The biophilic city
26 October, 2010 | Supplied by: WSP Australia Pty Limited
With increased threats from climate change, pollution and diminishing natural resources and biodiversity, it’s important to reconsider the way we live and the way we utilise our environments. Parson Brinckerhoff’s Director of Sustainability Darren Bilsborough* proposes the idea of a ‘biophilic city’ as one potential solution to these increasing pressures. He has developed a paper on an economic rationale supporting Biophilic Cities which is summarised in this article.
Green infrastructure online resource launched
26 October, 2010
The Australian Green Infrastructure Council has launched its Knowledge Hub - a free online resource focused on sustainability in Australia’s infrastructure sector.
New Green Star material calculators drive best practice
22 October, 2010
Three new material calculators will ensure the Green Star environmental rating tools remain at the leading edge of best practice, says the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Sugarcane growers win national environmental award
20 October, 2010
Project Catalyst, a pioneering partnership helping to improve the quality of water flowing into Great Barrier Reef catchments has won a national Banksia Environmental Award.
Origin welcomes energy efficiency report
13 October, 2010
Origin Energy has welcomed the release of the report by the Prime Minister’s Task Group on Energy Efficiency.
Westpac announces deal to support Carbon Trading Exchange
13 October, 2010
Westpac has announced a deal with the Carbon Trade Exchange (CTX), the first carbon trading exchange for companies or individuals looking to get involved in the voluntary carbon market and reduce their environmental footprint.
GE and CSIRO agree to AU$20 million R&D collaboration
08 October, 2010
GE and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have announced a strategic alliance which will include a combined investment of AU$20m over five years in R&D projects in the areas of healthcare and cleaner technology for energy and aviation.
NAB achieves carbon neutrality
06 October, 2010
National Australia Bank (NAB) has announced that it has fulfilled its commitment to become carbon neutral by September 2010.
Turning one person’s waste into another’s treasure
01 October, 2010
South East Water is putting a new twist on the well-known idiom “one person’s trash is another’s treasure” through an innovative pilot project that will help industrial Port Melbourne customers play a greater role in managing their place in the water cycle.
Boosting energy and resource efficiency in the manufacture of PET bottles
30 September, 2010
How can the efficiency of energy and resources be increased, in the long term, in the manufacture of PET bottles? As part of a project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research, and run by the Research Center of Karlsruhe*, experts have been investigating just this in the stretch blow-mould process chain. The project started in 2009 and should be completed by 2011. The first results have now been published.
Chemical building block from waste gases
30 September, 2010
LanzaTech has produced 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), a key building block used to make polymers, plastics and hydrocarbon fuels, using its gas fermentation technology.
