Gillard government announces improvements to rural R&D
23 July, 2012The Gillard government today announced significant improvements to rural research, development and extension which will see greater collaboration on research, efforts to increase investment and a drive to improve the adoption of innovation across the sector.
Plastic recycling volume doubles for NZ program
18 July, 2012The Agrecovery Rural Recycling program has experienced unprecedented growth over the last two years, with collection of waste plastics reaching record levels. Container plastic collected and sent for recycling by Agrecovery in the 12 months to June 2012 was 157,390 kg.
Bond University researcher joins Queensland’s new infrastructure think tank
18 July, 2012Professor Michael Regan from Bond University’s Institute of Sustainable Development and Architecture has been appointed to the newly formed Infrastructure Queensland committee.
Thiess Services launches into resources
18 July, 2012Thiess Services has built a portfolio in fields such as contaminated site remediation, waste management, water management, energy distribution and facilities operations and maintenance. Now the company has been brought into alignment with the needs of the mining industry, so General Manager of Remediation and Infrastructure Doug Moss is looking to take advantage of this.
Property trusts capitalise on new finance for building retrofits
17 July, 2012A change in Victorian legislation will allow property trusts to gain access to finance for environmental upgrades, significantly increasing opportunities to retrofit buildings in Melbourne’s city centre.
$5.7 million to boost low-carbon farm research
17 July, 2012Research at The University of Western Australia into new farming practices that will reduce greenhouses gases, sequester carbon and enhance sustainability has attracted $5.7 million in funding from the federal government.
Sustainability and climate change governance survey
17 July, 2012 | Supplied by: NCS InternationalIn 2011, NCSI conducted an online Corporate Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change Governance Survey. The survey was aimed at Australian senior and executive corporate managers and looked at current Australian corporate practices and aspirations concerning environmental sustainability and climate change.
Combet warns of price gouging on refrigerant gases
16 July, 2012The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, is concerned that prices being circulated by wholesale refrigerant gas suppliers show significant price hikes unrelated to carbon pricing. In many cases, these price rises have been similar in quantum across different wholesalers.
FSC certification for Kimberly-Clark tissue and paper towel products
16 July, 2012Kimberly-Clark is pleased to announce that all its Australian manufactured tissue and paper towel products (excluding Scott Facial Tissue) are now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), considered the ‘gold standard’ in forestry certification by leading environmental organisations such as WWF and Greenpeace.
Landholders continue to warm to carbon sink opportunities
13 July, 2012Carbon sink operator CO2 Australia experienced a surge of interest in June from landholders wanting to find out more about the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). Now that the carbon tax and CFI are officially in operation, CO2 Australia predicts a further increase in enquiries from landholders wishing to participate in the scheme.
waterAustralia appoints USA representative for the Australian water sector
13 July, 2012waterAustralia, in partnership with the Industry Capability Network (ICN), has appointed Rubin Mallows Worldwide to represent the Australian water industry in the USA. The appointment is part of a strategy being funded under the Commonwealth Government’s Supplier Access to Major Projects program administered by the ICN.
Last chance to enter 2012 savewater! awards
13 July, 2012Only seven days remain for businesses, individuals and organisations to be nationally recognised for their water-efficient projects and efforts. Entries for the national 2012 savewater! awards close on Friday 20 July.
Kids get $75,000 for environment projects
12 July, 2012$75,000 has been awarded to 17 schools and community groups across the country to undertake educational environment projects. The funding was made available through the Go Green Grants program, an initiative launched by Corporate Express and Junior Landcare earlier this year.
Former Chief Defence Scientist appointed to new Energy Chair at UNSW
12 July, 2012Former Chief Defence Scientist Professor Robert Clark has been appointed to the newly created Chair of Energy Strategy and Policy at the University of New South Wales.
Water suppliers and utilities unite
12 July, 2012The ‘Australian Water Supplier Compact’ (the compact) was launched in April to bring together local suppliers and urban utilities to maximise benefits for the Australian water industry, the economy and for the environment.The compact records the expression of commitment by Australia’s urban water utilities, represented by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and Australian companies that supply into the water sector, represented by waterAustralia and the Water Supplier Advocate.
