Solid biofuels are the largest renewable energy source and likely to play an important role in a low-carbon future, but their global production has not yet been traded on an equal and harmonised basis at the international level. ISO is now working on a series of International Standards on solid biofuel specifications and classes. [ + ]

An international scientific committee of 10 sustainability experts has been appointed to promote, oversee and guide transformational research and future city planning for the Australian Visions and Pathways 2040 project. [ + ]

Consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff has appointed Dean Toomey as General Manager Water and Andrew Schroth as Regional Director, Western Australia. [ + ]

CSIRO has developed a material that prevents plastic from ageing and, when applied to plastic lining, can clean up exhaust gases from power plants much more effectively than existing methods. [ + ]

The CEO of building technology company NUDURA, Murray Snider, will visit New Zealand next month to discuss the topic of energy-efficient building. Snider has a wealth of experience in building environmentally friendly homes and commercial buildings which are net zero. [ + ]

Parliamentary Secretary to the Environment Minister Simon Birmingham has acknowledged that the National Water Commission (NWC) is under review. While he has not confirmed that the independent agency will be abolished, ABC Radio believes this to be likely. [ + ]

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Working Group 3 has released its contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report. The report, titled 'Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change', finds that global emissions of greenhouse gases have risen to unprecedented levels. [ + ]

Eco Expo Asia, Asia's annual exhibition for green-tech business solutions, will return this year at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from 29 October-1 November. [ + ]

Three sustainability events will be jointly held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Singapore, from 1-5 June 2014 - the World Cities Summit (WCS), Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS). [ + ]

Fairfax Media has revealed that science body CSIRO is bracing for a May budget cut of up $150 million, or more than 20% of its total government funding, with the organisation’s top executive team modelling a range of scenarios based around this outcome. [ + ]

Business owners and residents have expressed their support for the environmental and social benefits of living greenery in response to the City of Sydney's Green Roofs and Walls Policy. [ + ]

Microinverter provider Enphase Energy has appointed Nathan Dunn as its new managing director for APAC. His previous roles include managing director of GE Lighting Australia and general manager, Mobile Communications, for LG Electronics in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

The Composites Australia and CRC-ACS 2014 Conference was held last week for composites manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, designers and researchers. [ + ]

The National Association of Women in Construction's (NAWIC) WA branch recently held its excellence awards, celebrating the top achievements of women in construction. [ + ]

Power and automation company ABB has announced that it will support Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg in their attempt to fly around the world in a solar-powered aeroplane. [ + ]