Sustainability adviser Net Balance has found that a growing number of Australian-listed companies are setting high standards of transparency and accountability regarding their sustainability performance, though a large number of companies still face a learning curve in understanding and communicating their social and environmental impacts. [ + ]

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) have this week published standards relating to water footprint management and the chain for custody for forest products, respectively. [ + ]

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has provided the second carbon monitoring report to the Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, detailing its monitoring activities for the June 2014 quarter. [ + ]

A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis has identified up to $28 billion in net economic benefits that could flow to Australia if smart-grid technologies were to be implemented across the country's electricity system. [ + ]

Keep NSW Beautiful and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) are running a grants program to resource community groups who want to undertake a project to cut litter in their neighbourhood. [ + ]

At its most recent technical conference, held in San Francisco, GHD brought together 60 of its wastewater, water-treatment and desalination engineers from offices in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

Australian and Taiwanese scientists have discovered a new molecule that is bringing the science community closer to overcoming one of the barriers to using hydrogen fuel cells as a viable power source for cars. [ + ]

Waste management research company AcuComm has found that the environmental and cash benefits of materials recovery are taking root across the world. The company identified 20 new or upgraded recycling plant developments in the June edition of Waste Industry Sales Monitor. [ + ]

A proposed ASTM International standard will help industry adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices by informing manufacturers how they can incorporate sustainability into their daily operations. [ + ]

The City of Sydney took part in the Household Chemical CleanOut earlier this month, collecting more than 27 tonnes of unwanted hazardous materials from residents. [ + ]

University of South Australia commercialisation company Itek Ventures has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Hyflux International to apply and eventually commercialise its coating technology in the global water treatment market. [ + ]

The 2014 Clean Energy Council Industry Awards were presented at the GE Australia Gala Dinner last night, held as part of Clean Energy Week. [ + ]

Australian Engineering Week 2014, to be held from 4-10 August, will highlight the impact engineering makes on our lives, our communities and the world around us every day. An array of inspirational, educational and thought-provoking events will be held around Sydney during the week. [ + ]

Kingspan Energy has commenced construction of what is claimed to be the largest single rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Australia, located at the IKEA Tempe store in NSW. IKEA is moving to roll out solar PV systems across its stores nationwide, and this will be the largest of its projects. [ + ]

Clean Energy Week - an annual event for the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry - kicked off this morning in Sydney. The theme of this year’s event is 'Energy at the Crossroads'. [ + ]