Wastewater algae to biocrude oil
27 January, 2010 byIn November, the New Zealand Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon Gerry Brownlee, opened what is claimed to be the largest wastewater algae to biocrude oil demonstration project in the world.
Glaciologist responds to doubts over Himalayan melt
25 January, 2010The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is reexamining a report it issued that suggests Himalayan glaciers could vanish by 2035.
Water concerns still strong in cities
21 December, 2009A Newspoll conducted for the Smart Approved Water Mark has found more than 90% of respondents in the five capital cities surveyed still think the water situation is at least "somewhat serious".
Supercomputer launched at ANU
24 November, 2009The Commonwealth government is providing $26 million towards Australia’s newest research supercomputer, to be hosted at the Australian National University.
Plastic produced without the use of fossil fuels
24 November, 2009A team of South Korean scientists has succeeded in producing the polymers used for everyday plastics through bioengineering, rather than through the use of fossil fuel-based chemicals.
Human emissions rise 2% despite GFC
19 November, 2009Despite the economic effects of the global financial crisis (GFC), carbon dioxide emissions from human activities rose 2% in 2008 to an all-time high of 1.3 tonnes of carbon per capita per year, according to a paper published in Nature Geoscience.
Chemical-free cleaning technology study demonstrates environmental sustainability
27 October, 2009In an independent study conducted by the environmental sustainability group EcoForm, Tennant’s ec-H2O technology has been shown to significantly reduce environmental footprints when compared to traditional cleaning with chemicals.
Geoengineering no replacement for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
22 September, 2009The Royal Society of London has released a major report on geoengineering - "the deliberate and large-scale intervention in the Earth's climate system, in order to moderate global warming". In this article, The Royal Society of New Zealand provides commentary on the UK report, highlighting issues of particular relevance to New Zealand.
Tax offset changes to boost R&D
11 September, 2009The Rudd government has taken a significant first step towards the biggest reform to business innovation support for more than a decade with the passing of the Tax Laws Amendment Bill (2009 Measures no 4).
Knowledge discovery for agriculture and NRM
10 September, 2009A national integrated online knowledge discovery tool for agriculture and natural resources in Australia has been launched.
NZ Clean energy centre to break ground in Taupo
04 September, 2009The New Zealand Clean Energy Centre (NZCEC), with funding from both the government and private sectors, has finalised architectural plans for its 800 m2 facility in Taupo and aims to begin construction this year.
Host named for new water recycling centre of excellence
20 August, 2009Western Corridor Recycled Water will receive $20 million over five years to host the National Centre of Excellence in Water Recycling in Brisbane.
Major boost for minerals, climate change, carbon storage and poultry
20 August, 2009Research into minerals exploration, climate change, greenhouse gas technologies and poultry has received a major funding boost of $96.1 million under the latest round of the Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program.
New Energy Pipeline Research Centre
19 August, 2009The Energy Pipelines Cooperative Research Centre is one of 10 new centres to be allocated funding in the latest round of the government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program. The Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) has welcomed the announcement, by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research saying that it is encouraged that pipeline infrastructure is seen as a critical part of the nation’s battle to reduce carbon emissions.
Environmentally friendly biotech labs opened
18 August, 2009A new building featuring state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly biotechnology research laboratories has been opened in Canberra by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.
