Nuclear power could be as cheap as coal if the cost of carbon capture and storage is considered, according to Professor Peter Johnston, head of physics at RMIT and panel member of the 2006 federal government review into the nuclear industry. [ + ]

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and banking and insurance company Fortis have announced an agreement naming Fortis the financial services provider for the UNDP’s MDG Carbon Facility. The announcement also marks the operational launch of the facility, an innovative means of harnessing the vast resources of the carbon market to bring long-term sustainable development to a more diverse share of developing countries. [ + ]

The Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association (WCRA) has been formed in Queensland. [ + ]

Binderless Coal Briquetting Company, in conjunction with CSIRO, has developed a process which reduces the moisture content of low-value coals while significantly upgrading the energy content. [ + ]

The general public are now able to download millions of pieces of climate, water resource and other environmental information for free. [ + ]

An Australian-owned and run water technology provider has completed its third major acquisition in 18 months and has also found a private equity partner to enable further expansion. [ + ]

There is no one ‘magic bullet’ for securing Australia’s future water supplies and all options on the water menu should be considered, according to agricultural scientist and Commissioner of the National Water Commission, Dr John Radcliffe. [ + ]

The top five global growth markets for water and wastewater technologies and products are China, India, Mexico, Egypt and Australia, according to technical market research report, The Market for Nonwoven Filter Materials – AVM043B from BCC Research. [ + ]

Australia must develop a catchment management mentality to successfully manage and optimise its water resources, according to Peter Crawford, former top public servant, water authority head and author. [ + ]

Australian researchers at the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre will receive extra backing from the International Science Linkages fund for the development of a more efficient method of processing wastewater. [ + ]

Australia’s International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management (ICE WaRM) has launched an important initiative to help tackle the water crisis head-on – a post-graduate program to train the new leaders who will spearhead the management of our scarce water resources. [ + ]

The third round of the Tarac Environmental Future Fund (TEFF) has been launched in Adelaide during the Wine Industry Technical conference. [ + ]

ABB has secured key contracts to supply motors and drives to the Gold Coast desalination plant. The plant, which is owned by the Queensland state government and Gold Coast City Council, claims to be the largest desalination plant on the eastern seaboard and is located at Tugun on the Gold Coast. [ + ]

The Gippsland region of Victoria is embarking on a new era in water sustainability with construction underway on the Gippsland Water Factory project. [ + ]

The ‘Mobile Muster’ scheme is seriously flawed, according to two recent reports by the mobile phone industry and a survey conducted by the Total Environment Centre. [ + ]