Industry News
Time running out for nominations
Nominations for the National and International Thiess Riverprizes, worth a total of $300,000, close March 30.
[ + ]Call for renewable energy projects
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard intends to call in two renewable energy development proposals under the Resource Management Act.
[ + ]Bottle makes dirty water drinkable
Michael Pritchard has introduced the Lifesaver container, a plastic bottle that claims to instantly clean the dirtiest water, making it safe to drink.
[ + ]City dwellers less serious about water
Across Australia, the number of people in cities who think the water situation is ‘very serious’ has dropped by more than 7% in the last year, going from 44.1% in 2006 to 36.7% in 2007.
[ + ]Energy partnership sparks students’ interest
In an Australia-wide push to address the demand for a larger power engineering skill base, Curtin University of Technology will receive over $150,000 from the Australian Power Institute (API) in 2007-2008 to fund projects and bursaries for top engineering students.
[ + ]Public Facilities Program now open
Funding is now available for water- and energy-savings projects in public or education facilities through the NSW government’s Climate Change Fund.
[ + ]Move to phase out plastic bags confirmed
Peter Garrett has confirmed that he will move to phase out plastic check-out bags “by the end of the year” — if necessary with a legislative ban. The move follows an announcement by the Chinese government that it will ban the giving away of free plastic bags by June.
[ + ]Boost helps combat climate change
Premier Morris Iemma announced the NSW government will invest $70 million on two programs to reduce water and energy consumption, and drive down greenhouse gas emissions.
[ + ]Wood climate change credentials endorsed
A report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the necessity of reducing emissions and provides strong endorsement of wood’s environmental credentials.
[ + ]Cooperation on greenhouse gas accounting and verification
Three organisations have announced that they will work together to promote their greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and reporting standards.
[ + ]Industry guide to help curb carbon emissions
RMIT University’s Global Sustainability Institute and EPA Victoria have found the number of carbon offset providers in Australia has doubled over the past six months.
[ + ]Call for action on computer recycling
Sydney recycler WSN Environmental Solutions has called on computer makers and governments to fund the cleanup of unwanted computers stored in households around the nation.
[ + ]Zoo achieves highest environmental accreditation
Auckland Zoo has been awarded the highest international accreditation standard in environmental management — the International Standards Organisation’s ISO 14001.
[ + ]Sustainable games
London 2012 (www.london2012.com) chairman, Sebastian Coe has outlined a plan — Towards A One Planet 2012 — to make the London Games the most sustainable in the event’s history.
[ + ]Australian carbon sequestration technology on display in Bali
Best Energies will have its technology on display at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.
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