Industry News
GEMS legislation introduced into parliament
The Australian Government has introduced the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) legislation to parliament. The GEMS legislation is an important initiative that implements a 2009 commitment by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to introduce national legislation to regulate equipment energy efficiency and to expand energy-efficiency regulation into new product areas. [ + ]
ENVIRO Innovation in Sustainability Awards finalists announced
The organisers of this year’s ENVIRO Conference and Exhibition have announced the finalists for a national competition to find Australia’s most cutting-edge sustainable innovation. The winner will be announced at the ENVIRO event, which is taking place on 24-26 July in Adelaide. [ + ]
Tapping geothermal energy to create fresh water for WA
Researchers at The University of Western Australia will investigate the use of geothermal energy to desalinate groundwater in WA. [ + ]
Advisory report tabled on clean energy bills
The House Economics Committee has recommended that Parliament pass the bills that establish a Clean Energy Finance Corporation, bring gaseous fuels under the carbon pricing mechanism and make other changes to improve the mechanism’s operation. [ + ]
Discovery could lead to greener ways of making drugs
Discoveries made during PhD studies by Victoria University graduate Emma Dangerfield could revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry by allowing drugs to be made in a more environmentally friendly way. [ + ]
Clean solutions for Asian cities at the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore
The inaugural CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) is a global platform for government leaders, policymakers, regulators and industry captains to connect, examine and discover practical solutions to address environmental challenges for tomorrow’s cities. [ + ]
RMIT promotes Accounting for Sustainability
More than 70 participants from Australian and overseas universities and professional accounting bodies attended the Accounting for Sustainability Conference at RMIT University on 28 May. [ + ]
Nanoparticles seek and destroy groundwater toxins
Iron nanoparticles encapsulated in a rust-preventing polymer coating could hold incredible potential for cleaning up groundwater contaminated with toxic chemicals, a leading water expert says. [ + ]
Clean Energy Regulator and Australian Securities and Investments Commission sign MoU
The Clean Energy Regulator and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding on the working relationship between the two agencies to deliver their regulatory responsibilities under the carbon pricing mechanism. [ + ]
New ASTM sustainability standard on resource depletion potential
A proposed new ASTM International standard describes a method for calculating the length of time that a non-fuel mineral commodity can be extracted from its reserves and resources, for purposes of environmental product declarations (EPD) and life cycle analyses (LCA). [ + ]
Climate change expert: Australia will go nuclear by 2030
A University of Adelaide scientist believes it is inevitable that Australia will become a user of the world’s most advanced nuclear power technology, if the country is serious about cutting carbon emissions. [ + ]
Higher EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 due to economic recovery and cold winter
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published data revealing that greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2010, as a result of both economic recovery in many countries after the 2009 recession and a colder winter. Nonetheless, emissions growth was somewhat contained by continued strong growth in renewable energy sources. [ + ]
Australian recycling start-up wins global award
A new Australian recycling company, Relivit, has won a major international business award, further boosting its credentials and propelling it into a new phase of growth in the local market. [ + ]
Quick and easy energy measurement with new metering device
The ambitious goals set by the German government to promote energy efficiency have put pressure on companies to change their energy-use policies. But the sustainable management of energy resources and the associated energy-saving measures can only be implemented if users have a reliable means of quantifying their power consumption. A new metering device, which was presented at the Sensor+Test 2012 trade fair in Nuremberg from 22-24 May, has enabled them to do just that. [ + ]
Symposium to help industry shift to low-carbon economy
To help industry effectively transition to become competitive in a global low-carbon economy, the Carbon Market Institute is bringing together academia and industry to identify and address the skills, competencies and capabilities required. [ + ]