Articles
Water forum promotes sustainable solutions for water industry
Rockwell Automation recently hosted the ‘Innovations for Smart, Safe, Sustainable Automation Solutions in the Water Industry’ forum in Adelaide in May. The event was well attended by consulting engineers, water utility companies, government departments and system integrators, and topics discussed included innovations for automation, information, power and safety solutions for the water industry.
[ + ]Recycling policy ramps up around the nation
In the last two years, since the initiation of moves by the federal government to move back into national policy on waste and recycling, the various state and territory jurisdictions have themselves lifted their focus up a notch also. It’s an interesting reflection on the positive influence an interested federal government can have on state and territory policy activity and the important role national government can play in co-ordinating state- and territory-based action.
[ + ]Ambitious water re-use strategy for luxury development
Salacia Waters, one of the largest urban developments on the Gold Coast, Queensland, is setting regional benchmarks in both community planning and environmental responsibility.
[ + ]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.
[ + ]Trigeneration precinct for commercial buildings in Sydney
In April 2011, two major players in Australia’s corporate landscape switched on a system to generate lower-emissions electricity at Coca-Cola Place in North Sydney and share its benefits with Deutsche Bank Place across the harbour. The NSW Minister for Resources and Energy, Hon Chris Hartcher, MP, officially launched the trigeneration precinct for these two commercial buildings.
[ + ]Renewable energy flatlines without carbon price
New research shows Australia’s renewable energy share has been declining since 1960 and Mark Wakeham from Environment Victoria says without a price on carbon, our economy will continue with ‘pollution as usual’.
[ + ]The future of stormwater - a forgotten resource?
Why is it that in the world’s driest continent we continue to throw away one of our most abundant water sources that goes right past our doors? Stormwater, we tend to ignore it until it runs through our houses or overflows our streets and then we only see it as a nuisance, but, for a more sustainable future, we need to reacquaint ourselves with the forgotten cousin of the water cycle.
[ + ]Beer without water
Effluent should be recycled back into brewery operations with less reticence than is currently the case says Dr Bernard Talbot, Director, Talbot & Talbot, London. In this article he discusses how the use of properly treated effluent can present the brewer with a safe option and greater security of supply.
[ + ]Sustainability required to remain competitive
Organisations must embed environmental sustainability as a core strategy to remain competitive and survive the next 20 years, according to global accounting body ACCA.
[ + ]National recycling reform
A new and positive era of environmental policy has arrived with the passing of the Product Stewardship Bill by both Houses of Parliament in Canberra on 22 June. The Product Stewardship Bill 2011 will provide powers to ensure that waste minimisation and recycling are mandated on a national basis. This includes using materials more sustainably across priority product categories, industry sectors and waste streams.
[ + ]Green light for solar
The federal government will provide more than three quarters of a billion dollars to help build two of the largest solar power stations in the world.
[ + ]Councils recognised for tackling e-waste
Last week, the Senate unanimously passed the Product Stewardship Bill, a major milestone in the delivery of Australia’s long-term National Waste Policy. With over 90% of a mobile phone and its accessories recyclable, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association is committed to the development of a long-term, integrated, e-waste collection service that is funded by industry, accepts all types of electronic waste and is free to all Australians. The efforts of over 300 local councils across Australia in tackling mobile phone e-waste were recognised at the MobileMuster Local Government Awards during the National General Assembly for Local Government in Canberra, on 21 June 2011.
[ + ]Need to monitor fungicide risk
Australia currently has no organised, long-term way of monitoring levels of commercial fungicides in soil and waterways, leading environmental scientists have cautioned.
[ + ]Getting smart with energy management
Emissions from electricity production are one of the major contributors for global warming, being responsible for up to 40% of the carbon footprint in some developed countries. The demand for electrical energy will continue to grow and the question really becomes, what do we need to do to meet this demand without increasing the carbon footprint?
[ + ]Energy management standard launching
With energy one of the most critical challenges facing the international community, the publication on 15 June of the ISO International Standard ISO 50001 on energy management systems is an eagerly awaited event because it is estimated the standard could have a positive impact on some 60% of the world’s energy use.
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