Consultation paper released on National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme

Under the National Waste Policy: Less Waste, More Resources, the Australian Government agreed to develop and enact national legislation to support voluntary, co-regulatory and mandatory product stewardship and extended producer responsibility schemes.

Linking funding for cleantech companies

The CleanTech Angels Network has been recently launched to link cleantech companies seeking investment with angel investors seeking investments in the sector.

United Utilities Australia launches new name

Water utility solutions provider United Utilities Australia Pty Ltd has unveiled its new name, Trility Pty Ltd, and new brand identity.

How to understand environmental certification

Environmental certifications can be a good way for organisations to understand, monitor and select suppliers and manufacturers who are committed to reducing their impact on the natural environment. For many people, however, environmental certification proves to be a confusing non-core area of business. There seems to be a continual stream of new terminology, new labels or certifications that need to be understood and either adopted or ignored.

BOC signs $1 billion contract with Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers

BOC has announced that it has secured a long-term industrial gas supply contract to the value of an estimated one billion Australian dollars with Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers, which is planning to use clean energy technology to enrich the world’s crops with urea.

EcoForum keynote speakers

The EcoForum Conference & Exhibition in Sydney on 9-11 March will have some excellent keynote speakers. Here is a snapshot of some interesting talks.

Global green building ratings committee appoints chair

The Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Romilly Madew, has been appointed chair of a new committee tasked with overseeing consistent standards for global green building rating.

RS to edit

Energy management standard for publication

ISO has announced a third quarter 2011 target for publication of its ISO 50001 International Standard for energy management. ISO 50001 will help organisations to improve their energy performance, increase energy efficiency and reduce climate change impacts.

OnVu ICE time temperature indicator

The OnVu ICE time temperature indicator can be used on food packaging to monitor the cold chain for chilled and deep-frozen food. Manufacturers, retailers and consumers will be able to tell at a glance whether ice-cream, pizza, fish or any other products were kept constantly deep-frozen or should rather be discarded because the cold chain was interrupted significantly.

Renewables programs key to effective climate response

Australia’s clean energy industry has welcomed the news of a price on greenhouse emissions from 2012, but warned that renewable energy programs will still be needed to deliver the cheapest transition to a de-carbonised economy.

Government urged to share vision for a sustainable future

Consult Australia has launched its new report, Seizing the Sustainability Advantage, that provides a blueprint for ambitious governance reform, including the integration of existing sustainability policies and programs currently fragmented across different areas of government, portfolios and agencies.

Water recycling education centre opens

The Keneally government’s new Water Recycling Education Centre has been officially opened by Minister for Water Phillip Costa this week in St Marys, building on the existing community education resources of Sydney Water.

Carbon price framework announced

The Gillard government has proposed that a carbon price mechanism will commence on 1 July 2012, subject to the ability to negotiate agreement with a majority in both houses of parliament and pass legislation this year.

Clean energy from contaminated land

A team of Australian and Chinese scientists has pioneered a new way to make clean energy from land contaminated with toxic waste.