Services/consultants :: Topics :: SustainabilityMatters

Adapting to a changing economy
From behind the eight ball to ahead of the game: how Latrobe City Council is leading the way in transitioning to a low carbon economy
Australian architects design high-rise factory in China
Melbourne architects CK Designworks have designed a cutting-edge, 24-storey industrial and commercial building in Nanjing, China. Robert Caulfield, partner in charge of the project, said that the building would set new levels of sustainability and environmental conservation for industrial buildings and could set the scene for similar buildings in other parts of the world, particularly where land is at a premium.
How green building is changing the world
On the outskirts of Cape Town in South Africa, in a poverty-stricken township known as Cape Flats, sits an environmental centre that is a standard stop on tour itineraries for designers, architects and students of international culture.
Sustaining the built environment
I’ll tell you a not-so-secret secret that I have been telling colleagues, students, industry representatives and governments for years: everything is sustainable.
Sustainability - a global opportunity
According to Consult Australia CEO Megan Motto, a new report highlights the international opportunities available for Australia to lead the way when it comes to sustainability. The right policy framework could give Australia a distinct competitive advantage and enable us to bring best practice to the global arena.
Results from green IT survey
The Green IT: The Financial Services Industry Benchmark report, launched globally by Fujitsu, contains the findings of the first multicountry survey to determine the maturity of green IT practices and technologies within banking, finance and insurance organisations in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and India.
How to understand environmental certification
Environmental certifications can be a good way for organisations to understand, monitor and select suppliers and manufacturers who are committed to reducing their impact on the natural environment. For many people, however, environmental certification proves to be a confusing non-core area of business. There seems to be a continual stream of new terminology, new labels or certifications that need to be understood and either adopted or ignored.
Environmentally sustainable design in interiors
CSR's new HQ achieves a 5 Star Green Star - Office Interiors v1.1 rating for the fit-out of the Triniti III building in the Stockland Triniti campus at North Ryde.
Driving a sustainable culture in infrastructure
Significant infrastructure projects in Australia are being developed with a focus on short-term goals. I believe we need to develop a culture of sustainability within the industry to ensure projects are designed and built with long-term operation in mind.
Unsure about sceptics?
There is a subtle but pervasive challenge in working as a climate change practitioner, namely, dealing with sceptics. When one works day to day in helping to mobilise the immense global effort which is required to claw back human-induced climate change, it is easy to forget not everybody’s ‘on board’.

Tenix sustainable efficiency and performance analysis tool
Tenix has developed a sustainable efficiency and performance analysis tool which can be used for infrastructure to identify and translate sustainability outcomes into long-term financial and operational efficiencies.
Carbon footprint service
Greenice has launched a carbon footprinting service based on an innovative and scientifically robust carbon accounting model developed by the Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis at the University of Sydney. This approach uses Input-Output Analysis, a Nobel Prize-winning macro-economic theory. It is claimed to be more practical and cost-effective than traditional audit-based footprinting methods. The model uses readily available financial data on expenses and revenue (sales), and on-site fuel consumption, and processes it through a computer model to produce a comprehensive Scope 4 carbon footprint.
Consulting service for climate change issues
Hyder Consulting, Renoir Consulting and TFG International have formed an alliance to provide an integrated consulting service on greenhouse gas emissions accounting and analysis, climate change regulation and business improvement strategies for companies and government agencies.
Waste management consulting service
Great Forest Australia is providing business and government organisations with waste management consultancy services that can reduce environmental impacts and operational costs.

Australian support for South African ‘green street’
An innovative project to ‘green’ an entire street in a disadvantaged South African community is receiving support from Australia.
New airport terminal with sustainable design
Westralia Airports Corporation (WAC), the owner and operator of Perth Airport, has announced that Broad Construction Services (WA) Pty Ltd is the successful contractor to build the new domestic terminal for Western Australia. The new terminal was designed by Hassell, with environmental sustainability at the forefront of design. A 4 MW co-generation plant is part of the plan for the airport.
GHD and CDL merge
Engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD has integrated with rail and infrastructure consultant CollinsonDutton Ltd (CDL). CDL, formed in 2001, has been working closely with GHD for several years in the UK. The combination of skills will provide an enhanced offering to clients across the globe in transportation and associated infrastructure. Both companies will continue to grow their presence in the Middle East through expanded capacity allowed through the merger.
New national board for recycling industry body
The recent Annual General Meeting of the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) elected a new National President and Deputy President following the retirement of its former National President Mike Haywood.
Call for better labelling to support ethical consumption
Research has shown that it’s not cost that stops consumers from buying according to their conscience, it’s simply a lack of clear information on the product label.
Four new GBCA fellowships for industry leaders
Four green building fellowships have been awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to recognise and reward the significant contributions of four industry leaders to Australia’s sustainable property and construction industry.
Launch of the climate commission
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, has announced the establishment of an independent Climate Commission, appointing the leading science communicator - Professor Tim Flannery - as Chief Commissioner.
Driving the clean-up
SITA Environmental Solutions’ (SITA) Canberra Service Centre is over 1000 kilometres from the flood-ravaged devastation in Queensland, but help isn’t too far away.
24/7 support network for wastewater treatment plants
A new Australasian headquarters has been established by the Integrated Support Division of the industrial and municipal water and wastewater treatment specialists EIMCO Water Technologies.
Minister Garrett launches biohazard waste industry code of practice
The 6th edition of the Biohazard Waste Industry’s Code of Practice has been launched at Enviro 2010, Australia’s premier sustainability conference.
Ecospecifier recognised under GBCA’s product certification assessment framework
Ecospecifier has been recognised under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes.
Resource to help SMEs embrace the green economy
Australia’s small and medium businesses are set to receive a helping hand to ‘green up’, thanks to a free business book launched by Sensis called Small Business, Big Opportunity: Sustainable Growth.
EWTIS offers comprehensive 24-hour support for wastewater treatment plants
Eimco Water Technologies has established a new Integrated Support Division to extend its services to Australasian business.
Australian environmental company helps householders reduce carbon footprint
Green Invest Ltd, an Australian environmental solutions company, will provide audit and facilitation services to help more than 400,000 householders across metropolitan Victoria reduce their carbon footprint.
Parsons Brinckerhoff releases sustainability report
Infrastructure consultancy Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) has released its first sustainability report.
Councils seek help in preparing for climate change
The state government needs to provide more funding and guidance to councils to help them prepare for the impacts of climate change, according to the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW.
Greenhouse-friendly certification awarded to carbon management consultancy
Carbon Planet, an Australian-based carbon management consultancy, has had its operations and services certified 'greenhouse friendly' by the Department of Climate Change.
Merger announced
South Australian environmental consultancy REM has merged with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to form a groundwater assessment and management centre of excellence.
Principal risk assessment consultant appointed
Dr Garry Smith, formerly director and professor of environmental management at the Institute of Environmental Studies UNSW, has been appointed as a principal risk assessment consultant at HLA-Envirosciences.

Government office achieves 6 star for design
The Hassell-designed Government Services Office development in Dandenong, Victoria, has achieved the highest sustainability rating available from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Energy and water audits
Blacktown City Council (BCC), in conjunction with VDM Consulting, has successfully audited, designed and managed the upgrade of the energy and water efficiency of 40 of the largest council-owned energy- and water-consuming sites throughout the region, from showgrounds and leisure centres through to transport facilities and sports grounds.
ESD features in apartment building
The latest addition to Melbourne’s thriving arts precinct in Southbank, Triptych, is setting a benchmark for apartment living by delivering innovation in green space and dedication to high-end environmentally sustainable design.
Ark development with sustainable benefits
North Sydney’s skyline has a new iconic landmark addition following the practical completion of Investa’s Ark development. The development, with an estimated end value of $240 million, began on the site of the old North Sydney Telephone Exchange in 2006, and was designed by Rice Daubney Architects.
Driving sustainable change
Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL), and the truck industry in general, is working hard to overcome the perceived dirty image of trucks belching black smoke. Paul Evans, IAL’s Business Planning Manager and Company Secretary said, “Trucks have made considerable gains over the last decade, due to a range of new technologies, making trucks greener and more economical than ever before. In fact, 60 of today’s new trucks produce less carbon emissions than just one truck in 1995!”
Scout friendly and eco friendly
The 22nd Australian Scout Jamboree was held 4-14 January 2010 at Cataract Scout Park in Appin, 71 km south-west of Sydney. Scouts from across Australia and 23 countries came together on 160 ha of land for the 10-day camp with a population of over 13,000 scouts, leaders and volunteers.
Demystifying sustainability
“Sustainability in infrastructure is about both art and science. The art is in having the ability to recognise and enunciate what we value. The science is being able to adapt and innovate in our field of expertise,” said Dr James Mantle, Parsons Brinckerhoff’s (PB) Managing Director.
Building supermarkets
The supermarket sector is embracing the green building movement and has progressed from bolt-on options to integrated design approaches that result in low-energy solutions that improve occupational amenity, and reduce capital expenditure and operating costs.

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