Industry News
Cleaning up pollution - naturally
When it comes to cleaning up pollution left by old oil spills, natural ways may be the best, according to research by scientists at the CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment.
[ + ]Westpac launches new sustainability code for its 10,000 suppliers
Westpac has announced a further step in its sustainability journey, becoming the first Australian bank to establish strict environmental, social and ethical standards for its entire supply chain of over 10,000 companies.
[ + ]Green building seminar program introduced
Designbuild, a trade-only building and design exhibition, will include a Green Building Seminar program complementing its focus on sustainability and green building this year.
[ + ]Committee backs call for energy-efficiency factor with emissions trading scheme
The National Carbon Committee of the Waste Management Association of Australia has backed a call of the Secretary of the Department of Climate Change to consider factors like energy efficiency alongside the emissions trading scheme.
[ + ]Wind farms improve scenery
Wind farms generally improve the scenery of locations that were not that picturesque to begin with. According to a study in Geographical Research, published by Wiley-Blackwell, wind farms have a negative impact on landscapes with a high scenic quality, but a positive effect on dull and mundane landscapes.
[ + ]Company to reduce data centre cooling costs and power requirements
ADC Krone has joined the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to help engineer a greener property industry. As a member of the GBCA, the company will be promoting environmentally responsible technologies, design practices and operations and helping users attain the GBCA’s six-star environmental rating.
[ + ]Think tank and university form partnership
The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) has partnered up with the University of Queensland to support research into environmental issues.
[ + ]Conference focuses on sustainability in building and design
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.
[ + ]Water planning in Australia
Australia’s national water commissioners met in Brisbane to discuss progress on water planning across the nation and announced that no Australian jurisdiction can yet claim to have a fully effective water planning system.
[ + ]Carbon emission experts urge business to act
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.
[ + ]Line-up confirmed for international conference
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.
[ + ]National carbon committee for waste industry
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).
[ + ]Carbon trading may mean $14 billion tax bill for Australian businesses
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.
[ + ]Organic farming to mitigate climate change
A 30-year scientific trial shows that organic practices can counteract up to 40% of global greenhouse gas output.
[ + ]End of traditional landfill operation announced
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.
[ + ]