Improving wheat yields for global food security
26 July, 2011
With the world’s population set to reach 8.9 billion by 2050, CSIRO scientists are hunting down and exploiting a number of wheat’s key genetic traits in a bid to substantially boost its grain yield.
How will the carbon pricing mechanism impact your business?
15 July, 2011
The Australian government has announced plans to introduce a carbon price mechanism from 1 July 2012. There will be a three-year fixed price period. The carbon price will start at $23 per tonne in 2012-13 and will be $24.15 in 2013-14 and $25.40 in 2014-15. From 1 July 2015 onwards, the carbon price will be set by the market. Under the plan, Australia will cut 159 million tonnes a year of carbon pollution from its atmosphere by 2020 - the equivalent of taking over 45 million cars off the road. In the article below, Elisa de Wit, Anthony Hobley, Noni Shannon and Dominic Adams from law firm Norton Rose Australia outline the impact of the carbon pricing mechanism on businesses.
Water forum promotes sustainable solutions for water industry
15 July, 2011
Rockwell Automation recently hosted the ‘Innovations for Smart, Safe, Sustainable Automation Solutions in the Water Industry’ forum in Adelaide in May. The event was well attended by consulting engineers, water utility companies, government departments and system integrators, and topics discussed included innovations for automation, information, power and safety solutions for the water industry.
Biofuels for a cleaner future
14 July, 2011
Our cars, trucks and aeroplanes could soon run on fuel made from sugarcane waste thanks to the work of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) scientists at the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant.
Water pressures industry must solve together
07 July, 2011
Pricing water to reflect its true value; encouraging innovation that reduces costs, improves efficiency and drives new revenue streams; and educating the public, particularly youth, on the importance of water are three of today’s most challenging pressures for the world’s water leaders, according to initial findings from Wednesday’s Water Pressures workshop at Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2011.
Price on pollution - for or against?
06 July, 2011
This weekend the Gillard Government plans to announce a price on pollution as the central element of a comprehensive policy to tackle climate change, cut pollution and drive the transformation of the Australian economy to a clean energy future. Some business and industry sectors are saying it will provide more certainty while others say it will only further add to uncertainty.
Future Focus for Local Government New Zealand annual conference
06 July, 2011
The future is the focus of the Local Government New Zealand annual conference at the Wellington Convention Centre from 11-12 July.
GHD and CDL merge
06 July, 2011
Engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD has integrated with rail and infrastructure consultant CollinsonDutton Ltd (CDL). CDL, formed in 2001, has been working closely with GHD for several years in the UK. The combination of skills will provide an enhanced offering to clients across the globe in transportation and associated infrastructure. Both companies will continue to grow their presence in the Middle East through expanded capacity allowed through the merger.
Burning research needed
05 July, 2011
How the frequency and intensity of wildfires and intentional biomass burning will change in a future climate requires closer scientific attention, according to CSIRO’s Dr Melita Keywood.
Searching for Australia’s best cleantech ideas
04 July, 2011
Entries are now open at www.cleantechopen.com.au for the Australian Cleantech Ideas Competition. Business ideas can range from technologies and services that address pollution, waste treatment and energy storage, new ways of looking at energy efficiency, building materials, transportations systems, public utilities and much more. The competition is being run on behalf of the government by Australian CleanTech, a research and advisory firm that specialises in the sector.
Sustainability trade mission to Israel
28 June, 2011
A sustainability trade mission to Israel in November will coincide with the Watec 2011 - the International Water, Energy, Cleantech and Environmental Control Exhibition and conference in Tel-Aviv.
Greenhouse calculator to measure your impact
27 June, 2011
Families across Australia will be able to measure the impact of simple lifestyle changes on their carbon footprint in just 15 minutes through an online tool launched at RMIT University today.
Sustaining the built environment
24 June, 2011 by Matthew Trigg*
I’ll tell you a not-so-secret secret that I have been telling colleagues, students, industry representatives and governments for years: everything is sustainable.
Renewable energy flatlines without carbon price
24 June, 2011
New research shows Australia’s renewable energy share has been declining since 1960 and Mark Wakeham from Environment Victoria says without a price on carbon, our economy will continue with ‘pollution as usual’.
