Australia will not have enough fresh water to meet the combined needs of a rapidly growing population, expanding industries and conservation of native landscapes in the mid-21st century if it fails to articulate a national groundwater strategy for the future. The caution comes from two of the nation’s most eminent water scientists, Professor Craig Simmons and Professor Peter Cook of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NGCRT). [ + ]

The energy efficiency of New Zealand’s textiles sector is set to improve under the EECA Business Textiles Sector Energy Efficiency Programme, announced today. [ + ]

This month, more than 200 economists, academics and key industry figures from 30 countries will gather in Perth for the International Association for Energy Economics’ (IAEE) 35th Annual International Conference, to be held from 24-27 June at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. [ + ]

Local agencies in New Zealand have combined to make sure the current disposal of earthquake waste is efficiently managed and monitored to ensure protection of the natural environment in both the short and longer term. [ + ]

Leaders in water-quality management and research will gather at CQUniversity Mackay to share ideas and work towards protecting the Mackay Whitsunday catchments at the Healthy Waterways Symposium from 13-15 June. [ + ]

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has released the report ‘Role and performance of local government - waste and recycling related data and information’. [ + ]

REC has launched a certification program for solar installers in Australia, including warranty extension and service fees for those who comply. More than 100 installers in six countries are already certified as REC solar professionals. [ + ]

QMI Solutions will be running a breakfast clinic on how to improve energy and water efficiency for manufacturers in the lead-up to the carbon tax. It will be held at the Burke & Wills Hotel in Toowoomba on Wednesday 13 June 2012 from 7.00 to 9.30 am. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

Researchers at The University of Western Australia will investigate the use of geothermal energy to desalinate groundwater in WA. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]