Developments in sustainable design will be the focus of RMIT University’s 6th annual Green Building & Design Conference, being held in Sydney 30 April – 1 May.

A line-up of experts will tell industry that emissions targets and reporting deadlines set by the federal government demand instant action during a series of seminars sponsored by Victoria's Environment Protection Authority during the Australian Carbon Trading Expo 2008.

The World Cities Summit, an international conference on effective public governance and the sustainable development of cities, has confirmed a line-up of prominent speakers for its inaugural event in Singapore from 23–25 June 2008.

The Waste Management Association of Australia has moved to strengthen the voice of the waste industry in forming a National Carbon Committee as the government finalises the Australian Emissions Trading Scheme (AETS).

The Taxation Institute of Australia has warned that the proposed carbon trading scheme could reap more than $14 billion in businesses tax unless the Australian government takes immediate steps to clarify the tax effects of the proposed carbon trading scheme.

Sydney recycler WSN Environmental Solutions will cease landfilling household waste at the WSN Macarthur Resource Recovery Park in July, signalling the start of a new era in waste management.

A 30-year scientific trial shows that organic practices can counteract up to 40% of global greenhouse gas output.

Research into sustainability will be boosted by the Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute. Headed by sustainability expert Prof Peter Newman, the institute is a multidisciplinary research centre that undertakes research focused on sustainable cities and regions, and sustainable global development, politics, policy and economics.

An alliance of Australian universities has invited business, industry, government, schools and TAFE to a united conference to promote partnerships that will lead to improved sustainability.

Rising sea levels, drought and rainfall will all be experienced in Canberra in the first week of May when ‘Dangerous climate change’ is featured at the Academy of Science’s peak annual event, Science at the Shine Dome.

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research says it is well advanced with a study of the likely costs to the New Zealand economy of the Emissions Trading Scheme on which the Finance and Expenditure Committee is hearing submissions.

A compact washing machine that uses nuts that grow on trees rather than laundry detergent; a device that turns plastic shopping bags into compost; and a detergent-free compact dishwasher that uses the cleaning power of water alone are the products emerging from Electrolux’s Design Lab competition.

The Going Green Expo 2008 will provide businesses and consumers with the opportunity to explore a wide range of ‘green’ consumables, commercial products and technologies which offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to life in the workplace and at home.

In what is being touted as an historical alliance, the heads of the Australian Coal Association (ACA), Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU), The Climate Institute (CI) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have called on the federal government to establish a national carbon capture and storage taskforce to combat climate change.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has called on Environment Ministers to reject calls for a national container deposit system ahead of discussions at the Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting in Melbourne.