NZ funding to promote sustainable resource use in primary sector
01 August, 2012New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is opening two funding rounds this month to promote sustainable resource use in the primary industries. MPI’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) provides co-funding for small to medium-scale innovation projects.
Making, measuring and managing green buildings
31 July, 2012 by Lauren DavisKevin Kampschroer is the Director of the US Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings - a department that retrofits old federal buildings to reduce energy usage and improve performance. He was thus an apt keynote speaker on the second day of Total Facilities Live.
Is the era of cheap energy over?
31 July, 2012 by Carolyn JacksonSome say yes, but a new report estimates that solar photovoltaic and onshore wind could produce some of the lowest electricity generation costs in Australia by 2030, based on current policy settings.
Earthquake risks for CCS, fracking and wastewater injection wells
31 July, 2012A paper by Stanford geophysicists Professor Mark Zoback and Professor Steven Gorelick has claimed that carbon capture and storage (CCS) has a high probability of triggering earthquakes where large volumes of carbon dioxide are injected into the brittle rocks commonly found in continental interiors.
Fact sheets highlight building retrofit savings
31 July, 2012The City of Melbourne and Sustainable Melbourne Fund have released a series of fact sheets on multimillion-dollar building retrofits funded through environmental upgrade finance. The fact sheets highlight targeted energy and emissions savings and other key project details.
Have your say on co- and trigeneration in NABERS Energy ratings
31 July, 2012NABERS is seeking industry submissions on its proposal for how cogeneration and trigeneration systems are dealt with in the NABERS Energy rating, as outlined in a position paper released last week.
Solar scientist honoured at UN University
31 July, 2012An engineer from UNSW has been honoured at the United Nations University in Tokyo for her research into trapping and harvesting sunlight in thin-film silicon solar cells.
NZ businesses encouraged to join transformational sustainability program
30 July, 2012New Zealand’s Sustainable Practice 360 program helps organisations make the transition to greener operations and has a new intake of businesses planned for October this year. The program will be delivered through Otago Polytechnic’s Centre for Sustainable Practice.
LED street lighting trial in world’s largest cities shows up to 85% energy savings
30 July, 2012LED (light-emitting diodes) street lighting can generate energy savings as high as 85%, an independent, global trial of the technology has found. The program also indicates that citizens of pilot cities prefer LED lighting, citing the social and environmental benefits.
Conference for Australian business and sustainability sector
30 July, 2012The inaugural Australian Sustainability Conference & Exhibition (ASCE) is to be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre from 8 to 9 November 2012.
Review of Renewable Energy Target a threat to investment and jobs
27 July, 2012Major investment and jobs are at risk if the federal government changes the 20% Renewable Energy Target, the head of one of Australia’s largest companies told the audience at Clean Energy Week on Wednesday.
NSW government sustainability program helps businesses save $6.3m a year
27 July, 2012A bank, a confectioner, a glass manufacturer, a waste management operation and a zoo are among 34 leading businesses and organisations saving $6.3 million annually through a NSW Government sustainability program.
Investing in remanufacturing
26 July, 2012 | Supplied by: Rockwell Automation AustraliaCompanies are continually being challenged to improve productivity to meet consumer demand, while minimising the impact of rising costs associated with energy and raw materials. Remanufacturing allows products to be restored to ‘like new’ or better condition, extending equipment life and enhancing its performance. Julian Needham, Customer Support & Maintenance Operations Manager, Rockwell Automation, discusses the benefits of remanufacturing in the current global environment.
McDonald’s rewarded with stars for going green
25 July, 2012Kilsyth South McDonald’s is the first Australian restaurant to be recognised with Green Star certification. The establishment has been awarded a 4 Star Green Star - Custom Design rating for developing a new benchmark for the design of environmentally sustainable restaurants.
Science bursary assists aspiring students
25 July, 2012The Condamine Alliance has established a new bursary with the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) in 2012 to assist aspiring students to reach their full potential in a career in resource management.
