Carbon and energy specialist pitt&sherry has submitted its comments on the proposed Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The consultancy claims the fund faces significant design challenges, and to fail these would risk budget outcomes, national emission targets and Australia's standing in international climate change negotiations. [ + ]

A collaboration between Swinburne University, Aurora Vehicle Association and SolarX Corporation has set out to create Australia's first road legal solar-electric hybrid sports car. [ + ]

The Frank Fenner Building, located at The Australian National University (ANU), has become the first building in the ACT to achieve both 6 Star Green Star Office Design and As Built v3 ratings from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). [ + ]

At Total Facilities 2014, sustainability engineer and accredited NABERS and CBD assessor David Odd spoke about the approach to achieve and maintain NABERS ratings in existing buildings using modern risk assessment techniques including dynamic thermal modelling, BMS, energy alarming and the shift from planned preventive maintenance to condition-based maintenance. [ + ]

Australian manufacturer of flexible connectors Aquaknect Flexible recently replaced its ageing compressors with Atlas Copco's latest VSD (variable speed drive) compact oil-injected rotary screw air compressor - the GA VSD+. [ + ]

Researchers from the University of Melbourne have found that the use of wastewater to irrigate vegetable crops may significantly contribute to deadly health risks such as rotavirus, a major cause of diarrhoeal diseases. [ + ]

Each year, in support of United Nations World Environment Day (5 June), the United Nations Association of Australia recognises innovative and outstanding environmental programs and initiatives from across Australia and the important work of Australian environmental leaders through its World Environment Day Awards. [ + ]

Australians waste nearly 50% of the food they buy - about 4.1 million tonnes per year or 9 kg of food from every home, every week. Researchers from the University of South Australia have traced the cycle of food waste in a three-year Australian Research Council (ARC) project. [ + ]

Sydney Markets has received a 'Best Renewable Resources: Recycling' award at the Global Sustainability Leadership Conference and Awards, a part of the World Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Congress. The company was shortlisted as the winner from over 2500 international entries. [ + ]

Wallmans Lawyers is an Adelaide legal practice with particular expertise in commercial law. It was initially looking to reduce its printing costs as the current fleet was becoming expensive and the older devices were unable to take recycled or special paper stocks. [ + ]

Professor Maaike Kroon, from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), has developed a solvent that will potentially enable the paper industry to make big energy savings in production. [ + ]

Cummins South Pacific signed up for an Energy Saver audit of the company's Wetherill Park facility aiming to reduce energy costs by 25%. The audit found ways to reduce costs by more than 50% and cut carbon emissions by nearly 300 tonnes per year. [ + ]

Energy Action, a provider of energy procurement, contract management, energy reporting and sustainability solutions for Australian businesses, has engineered a 50 kW solar power solution for Nyngan RSL Club in western NSW. The system will cut the club's operating costs and reduce its carbon footprint. [ + ]

The Australian Solar Council together with international partner AUPVSEE present the 52nd annual Australian Solar Council Industry Conference & Exhibition on 8-9 May 2014 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. [ + ]

The $500,000 Kangaroo Island Visible Solar Project has been officially opened. Funded by the state government's RenewablesSA program, the project boasts the first dual-axis solar trackers in Australia to power electric vehicles. [ + ]