The latest figures that show Australia’s growth rate has risen to 1.5% are “alarming”, according to Sustainable Population Australia (SPA). [ + ]

The Clean Energy Regulator issued carbon units for the first time under the carbon pricing mechanism on 27 September 2012, signalling the commencement of the Australian carbon market. Three applicants received free carbon units under the Jobs and Competitiveness Program which were issued via the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units (ANREU). [ + ]

Around the nation, 78 local communities have been awarded a Keep Australia Beautiful Beverage Container Recycling Grant - a threefold increase on the 23 grants awarded in 2011. [ + ]

Victorians in the Greater Bendigo region are racing to improve their drumMuster efforts as a number of collection days are scheduled to kick off this month. [ + ]

Australia has announced that it will join the Climate and Clean Air Coalition - an alliance of over two dozen nations, intergovernmental organisations, the private sector and civil society, committed to rapid action to reduce short-lived but highly potent pollution caused by methane, black carbon (soot), tropospheric ozone (smog) and hydrofluorocarbons. [ + ]

Carbon capture and storage’s (CCS) role in achieving sustainable development in China will be discussed by Dr Peng Sizhen, Deputy Director General, Administrative Centre for China’s Agenda 21 (ACCA21), at the National CCS Conference in Perth this month. [ + ]

A new national research and development facility launched in Perth last week will play a critical role in reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by answering the key questions surrounding the storage of commercial-scale carbon dioxide (CO₂). [ + ]

IKEA is supporting the LED light revolution by converting its full lighting range to LED by 2016 - meaning IKEA will be selling only LED bulbs and LED lamps. [ + ]

The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, last week met China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman, Xie Zhenhua, to discuss action on climate change. [ + ]

IHG (InterContinental Hotel Groups) is the first hotel company in Australia to build an electric car charge network, connecting eight properties across the group with cutting-edge technology for a new and growing customer segment. [ + ]

Melbourne-based LED lighting company Brightgreen took out the top honour - the Premier’s Recognition Award - at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2012 on Tuesday night. The lighting design company was recognised for developing the DR700 LED replacement light bulb, which is claimed to reduce power costs by up to 80%. [ + ]

The 2012 Photovoltaics Status Report, published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, summarises and evaluates the current activities regarding manufacturing, policies and market implementation worldwide. [ + ]

A guidebook on school and community learning partnerships for sustainability, Conversations on School - Community Learning Partnerships for Sustainability (A Guidebook), was launched in Melbourne this morning. [ + ]

The Smart Water Fund has announced that it will make available $1 million in funding to support innovative urban water projects. This will be the fund’s 10th round of funding, with applications opening in mid-October. [ + ]

A new study led by Empa gives an up-to-date picture of the ecobalance of various biofuels and their production processes. The study claims that only a few biofuels are overall more environmentally friendly than petrol. [ + ]