Hunt outlines Coalition's plans for the environment
10 October, 2013Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt yesterday opened the Australian Sustainability Conference, held in Melbourne, in his first public address to the Australian business community since the election.
Climate Commission abolished by Abbott
19 September, 2013 by Lauren DavisThe Abbott government has shut down the Climate Commission, with the now former Chief Commissioner Professor Tim Flannery receiving the news this morning from Environment Minister Greg Hunt.
Abbott has "taken Australia back decades", says Greens party
18 September, 2013Senator Richard Di Natale, lead spokesperson of the Australian Greens, has indicated that the first acts of the Abbott government have “taken Australia back decades and made us an international embarrassment”.
Rudd announces a Minister for Cities
02 September, 2013Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that if re-elected, he will appoint Australia’s first Minister for Cities and establish an Outer Suburban Growth Taskforce (assisted by an expanded Major Cities Unit) to develop a Ten Year Jobs and Growth strategy for cities’ outer suburbs.
Poll shows low concern for the environment this election
13 August, 2013The latest ANUpoll, conducted by the Australian National University and answered by 1200 people, revealed that public concern about the economy and job security has doubled since 2010, while concern about the environment and global warming has halved.
Compare and contrast election promises with Envirotracker
13 August, 2013 by Lauren DavisEnvironment Victoria today released Envirotracker, a free online resource which outlines the environment and climate change policies of the three main parties contesting the 2013 federal election - the ALP, the Coalition and the Greens. According to Environment Victoria CEO Kelly O’Shanassy, this is the first time such an analysis has been conducted on environmental policies in Australia.
Draft legislation to bring forward ETS released
26 July, 2013The Rudd government has released an exposure draft of legislation to implement an earlier start to emissions trading.
Rudd’s new Climate Change Minister
02 July, 2013Mark Butler (formerly Minister for Mental Health) has been named the Climate Change Minister in Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s new ministry, replacing Greg Combet who is retiring from politics.
Obama announces US Climate Action Plan
26 June, 2013 by Lauren DavisUS President Barack Obama today announced a Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon pollution. According to Obama, the plan intends to give the United States - the world’s largest economy and second largest emitter - a leadership role “in a coordinated assault on a changing climate”.
China launches its first emissions trading scheme
19 June, 2013China launched its first carbon emissions trading scheme yesterday in Shenzhen. By 2015, the scheme aims to reduce the city’s carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 21% compared to 2010 levels.
Improved energy standards for computers
21 May, 2013From 1 October 2013, Australia will implement minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for computers and computer monitors, as well as mandatory energy rating labels (ERL) for computer monitors.
New safety rules to protect offshore workers and environment
17 May, 2013On 15 May, the Australian Parliament passed a landmark law to better protect Australian offshore workers and Australia’s pristine marine environment.
The future of the Clean Energy Future package
15 May, 2013A statement of the current and future impacts of the government’s Clean Energy Future package has been released.
Community engagement the key to better cities, says GBCA
19 April, 2013A new strategic and streamlined approach to planning in NSW can deliver better communities and cities, but it requires a genuine commitment to community engagement, says the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Australia and China strengthen carbon market collaboration
11 April, 2013The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has announced during her visit to Beijing that Australia and China have agreed to new arrangements to strengthen our collaboration on carbon markets.
