With the carbon tax now operating and energy price rises kicking in, the economics around solar power are making it look even cheaper. [ + ]

The Clean Energy Council has said that the commencement of the carbon price yesterday represents a key step in the transformation of Australia’s energy sector, moving Australia toward a clean energy economy that will shield us from higher costs over the long term. [ + ]

Better understanding of the groundwater and surface water impacts of coal seam gas production is essential, according to Professor Sue Golding from the University of Queensland, an international expert on coal seam gas and carbon sequestration in sedimentary basins. [ + ]

The CDP Water Disclosure Australia Report, launched yesterday by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), finds that only 55% of the ASX 100 companies that responded to the CDP Water questionnaire report board-level oversight of water-related policies, strategies or plans. [ + ]

Nubian Water Systems announced yesterday the first in a series of steps to grow its water treatment and recycling business with the acquisition of UV-Guard Australia, an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology and services business. [ + ]

VCS has approved a new methodology to quantify and credit GHG emission reductions from projects that substitute gasoline with ethanol in commercial fleets of flex-fuel vehicles. [ + ]

Australia now has its first registered Green Star - Communities PILOT project. The ‘loop’ precinct in Canberra has been registered for a Green Star - Communities PILOT rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) PILOT rating tool for sustainable communities. [ + ]

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the national power system and market operator, does not foresee any energy supply security impacts during the immediate transition period following the introduction of the carbon price on 1 July 2012. [ + ]

Eight companies from Victoria and Western Australia have agreed to improve their business practices and provide awareness training to staff after failing to comply with national water-efficiency labelling and standards legislation at their business premises. [ + ]

Canon Oceania is calling for applicants for its annual environmental grants program. Grants in-kind worth $40,000* are available to Australian and New Zealand organisations making a positive impact on their environment and community. [ + ]

In response to the impacts of climate change on the built environment, the ASBEC Climate Change Task Group has launched a 10-point framework calling for a stronger role for government to improve the resilience of urban communities against extreme weather events and predicted future climate change. [ + ]

The Siemens Stiftung (foundation) has launched a worldwide competition aimed at identifying and granting better access to appropriate technological solutions as one of the key levers for sustainable development. The ‘empowering people. Award’ was announced at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20. [ + ]

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities today released the ‘Biosolids Snapshot’. The report is intended to provide a snapshot of biosolids in Australia. [ + ]

A University of Wollongong (UOW) invention will help governments around the world measure greenhouse gases following the university’s decision to commercialise its greenhouse gas analyser - the Spectronus - in partnership with Australian environmental monitoring solutions manufacturer Ecotech. [ + ]

Businesses that try to price gouge - or improperly inflate prices - following the introduction of the carbon price in July could be opening the door to a new wave of consumer class actions. [ + ]