Ice core records show there was a sharp rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - a nearly 50% increase - at the end of the last ice age. Scientists have long puzzled over the origin of all the extra CO₂ that appeared as the great ice sheets melted.

Environment Victoria has congratulated the Brumby government on setting new landfill levies that will increase recycling and congratulated Opposition parties on supporting the passage of the new levies through State Parliament.

Coffey International subsidiary Coffey Environments has been awarded Australia’s first accreditation for asbestos and hazardous materials clearance inspections by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

An innovative water reclamation plant in Coffs Harbour that meets the irrigation needs of the region, thereby conserving drinking water supplies, received the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) NSW award for Recovering, Recycling and Reusing at an awards ceremony in May.

As Australia launches its first public electric car charging station in Sydney, Logica has announced it is working with the Dutch e-laad.nl foundation company to lay down the national infrastructure necessary to roll out 10,000 charging stations for electric cars in the Netherlands. In one of the world’s first major electric car trials, Logica’s systems will provide the backbone for a range of services that will be developed for clients using the charging stations.

A new edition of ‘ASTM International Standards on Sustainability in Building’ is available on CD-ROM.

The CEO of the National Water Commission, Ken Matthews, and the Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia, Ross Young, have released three new software tools to assist Australia’s water managers to safely implement water recycling schemes.

Graeme Rowley, former Executive Director of Operations at Fortescue Metals Group, has been announced as the inaugural Independent Chair of the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination.

The Environment Protection Authority is presenting The Yalumba Wine Company with South Australia's first EPA Accredited Sustainability Licence.

A food manufacturer, an electroplating company and a manufacturer of sailboat hardware are among the latest businesses to receive a Re-tooling for Climate Change grant to save water or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Australian businesses will receive a significant boost in support for research and development, under new R&D tax incentive legislation introduced into Parliament.

Thirty-nine commercial office buildings around Australia will have their greenhouse gas emissions cut by 30,000 tonnes a year as a result of the latest grants under the Rudd government’s Green Building Fund.

The consortium between Thiess and Silex Systems has confirmed its interest in constructing Australia’s first solar photovoltaic power station as part of the Commonwealth’s Solar Flagships program.

GHD mechanical engineer Andrew Bagnall has been named one of Australia’s Most Inspiring Young Engineers for 2010. The award is part of the 2010 Year of Engineering Leadership, an initiative of Engineers Australia, aimed at celebrating the achievements of motivated, inspirational engineers.

Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett says the government will invest $23 million over five years to deliver Australia’s new landmark National Waste Policy.