Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - January, 2011
The Chair of the Coasts and Climate Change Council, Professor Tim Flannery, has submitted the Coasts and Climate Change Council’s end of term report to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet.
In its report, the Council suggests an urgent need for Australian Government leadership on coastal adaptation to drive collaboration and consistent approaches across all levels of government. It proposes a 10-year national coastal adaptation agenda be defined.
It recommends that the Australian Government:
- As a matter of urgency define and progress a 10 year national agenda to ensure that Australia is positioned to address the significant near, medium and long term risks facing the well being of our coastal regions from the impacts of climate change.
- Take a leadership role in driving the science and information base for decision-support tools; developing national standards for risk assessment; tackling legal reform to enhance national consistency and to reduce liability risks; and in the provision of technical support for local governments who are at the cutting edge of impacts on communities, property owners and businesses.
- Recognise the need to improve collaboration and delivery of outcomes across a range of federal, state and local government agencies and in so doing align adaptation to climate change in coastal regions with national micro-economic reform, social equity, regional development and population sustainability agendas.
- Continue the appointment of the Coasts and Climate Change Council for at least 12 months to assist in communicating the issues facing Australia from the impacts of climate change on the coast, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and community groups on their issues and needs, and providing advice the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency on ways to improve coastal adaptation to climate change.
NSW accidentally approves old-growth forest logging
The New South Wales Government admits it may have accidentally approved logging in old-growth forests in the north-east of the State.
South Australian NRM projects funded
The South Australian Government has allocated $14.7 million to fund 47 new and continuing Natural Resource Management projects to help deliver key environmental objectives.
Review of Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program
A review into the effectiveness of the Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) Program has found that it is helping large corporations change their behaviour and reduce both energy use and emissions.