Backlash against RET review recommendations
01 September, 2014 by Lauren DavisThe Australian Government has released the RET Review report - an assessment of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) conducted by an independent panel. The review has been criticised by major players in the renewable energy industry.
Mattresses floated at local sewage treatment plant
01 September, 2014Queensland Urban Utilities has launched a new trial which uses floating wetlands to purify wastewater at the Forest Hill Sewage Treatment Plant, near Laidley. The project involves growing wetlands on specially engineered plastic mattresses, which are then floated on purpose-built lagoons.
Bob Brown Foundation presents 2014 Environment Awards
01 September, 2014The Bob Brown Foundation presented its 2014 Environment Awards at a ceremony in Hobart today, with the chair of the foundation, former Greens leader Bob Brown, acknowledging three outstanding contributors to environmental protection.
171 Collins Street receives Sustainability Development Award
29 August, 2014Sustainable office building 171 Collins Street has had its green credentials recognised at the Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards 2014, where it received the Sustainability Development Award for its innovation and initiative in implementing green building practices.
ARENA delivers first round of R&D funding
27 August, 2014The Australian Government Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $21.5 million funding for 12 solar projects as part of the first round of its Research and Development Program.
EY to acquire Net Balance
26 August, 2014Professional services organisation EY has moved to acquire sustainability consulting firm Net Balance. The acquisition is intended to be completed in late September, at which time Net Balance will be fully integrated with EY, including relocating staff to EY offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Identifying polymers enables rapid separation of plastics
25 August, 2014Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet München (LMU) have developed a process which will greatly simplify the process of sorting plastics in recycling plants. Their method enables the automated identification of polymers.
Australian Laureate Fellowships for sustainability researchers
25 August, 2014Minister for Education Christopher Pyne last week announced 16 new Australian Laureate Fellowships. The scheme provides funding for projects by world-class researchers, including Scientia Professors Rose Amal and Veena Sahajwalla from UNSW.
Replicating photosynthesis to produce sustainable fuel
22 August, 2014Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have successfully replicated one of the crucial steps in photosynthesis, opening the way for biological systems powered by sunlight which could manufacture hydrogen as a fuel.
Olympus commits to OzHarvest
21 August, 2014Olympus Australia has established a long-term commitment to food charity OzHarvest. The charity was one of two selected by Olympus staff members to be supported by the company.
Tenix receives 'Excellent' Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design and As Built ratings
21 August, 2014The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) has awarded Tenix an 'Excellent' rating level for both Design and As Built phases for two sewage treatment plants (STPs) at Cannonvale and Proserpine in North Queensland.
BCIA funds CO2 capture facility
19 August, 2014Non-for-profit company Brown Coal Innovation Australia (BCIA) has announced $650,000 in funding for a research and development project which will target significantly reduced carbon emissions from brown coal power generation.
Water tractor beam could contain oil spills
19 August, 2014Physicists from The Australian National University (ANU) have created a tractor beam on water, which they can use to manipulate floating objects at will.
Australia's first dedicated media channel for the field service sector
19 August, 2014Australia has its first dedicated media channel for the booming field service sector, with the launch of Field Service Business, a sister publication to Sustainability Matters.
Fuji Xerox awarded for annual reporting
18 August, 2014Fuji Xerox Australia's Supplies Division was last month recognised at the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) Awards for its commitment to packaging product stewardship. The division received the Australian Packaging Covenant High Performers Award for the highest annual reporting score in the Small-Medium Communications and Electronics category.
