Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
Law reform and tougher legal sanctions to stop greenwashing are critical, according to a leading intellectual property expert from The Australian National University.
“Greenwashing is corporate spin which involves making misleading or deceptive claims that a company’s products or services are environmentally sustainable or friendly,” said Dr Matthew Rimmer, an ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor at the ANU College of Law. “Such conduct is putting consumers at a disadvantage and giving some businesses an unfair advantage in a market increasingly concerned about the environment and climate change.”
Dr Rimmer said that the problem of greenwashing requires a robust, integrated approach to law reform.
Federal Government re-opens PV shortlist
Four short-listed proponents for Australia’s first large-scale, solar photovoltaic (PV) power station under Round 1 of the Federal Government’s Solar Flagship have been asked to provide updated applications after the preferred applicant, Moree Solar Farm, proposed major changes to its project.
ANAO releases greenhouse reporting scheme audit
The Australian National Audit Office has released its audit of the Federal Government’s implementation and administration of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS).
Research targets energy efficiency marketing
Research for a recently awarded Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD thesis has found that understanding how households make decisions about their electricity use could be the key to savings for governments, generators and consumers.
North Queensland Bio-Energy project given green light
A $425 million proposal for a sugar/ethanol/power generation facility at Ingham in northern Queensland has been given the green light by the Hinchinbrook Shire Council and the Queensland Government.
Work starts on artificial wetlands
The South Australian Government has announced work has started on the $30 million wetlands project in Adelaide’s South that will, at capacity, capture 2.8 billion litres of stormwater each year.
Report finds carbon tax a good start
A report published by the Grattan Institute has found that the Federal Government’s carbon tax is a good start, but more policy action will be required to make significant emission cuts by mid-century.
NT EPA establishes watching briefs
The Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced the establishment of two active watching briefs into incidents in the Edith River in December last year.
Xstrata issues McArthur draft EIS
Mining giant Xstrata has released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its planned $270 million expansion of its McArthur River Mining (NRM) operations, with the company saying the project will ‘deliver more benefits for the Northern Territory than first thought’.
Queensland announces $28 million recycling boost
The Queensland Government has announced a $28 million waste infrastructure grants program aimed at assisting businesses, industry and local government bodies adopt innovate resource recovery and recycling options.
Burke hits out at Alpine grazing
The Federal Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Tony Burke, has hit out at a proposal by the Victorian Government to reintroduce cattle grazing to the state’s Alpine National Park.
EPA pushes for strict conditions for BHP's harbor development
The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said the recommended approval of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s outer harbour development, which includes rail and ore stockpile facilities as well as a four kilometre jetty offshore of Finucane Island, could be implemented with rigorous conditions to limit environmental impacts.
Research backs white roofs
New research released by the City of Melbourne and the University of Melbourne outlines the benefits of white roofs in reducing heat absorption, allowing buildings to stay cooler during hot days and significantly reduce the cost of internal cooling.
Sustainability Victoria tenders for study on how to improve housing energy efficiency
Sustainability Victoria (SV) is seeking to engage an organisation to assist it to build its existing knowledge base on upgrading the energy efficiency of existing (pre-2005) Victorian houses.
ECOSA sets solar feed-in tariff premium
The Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) has has released its Final Price Determination for the solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Premium to apply from 27 January 2012 – 30 June 2014.
NSW Government's draft Planning Guidelines for Wind Farms released
The NSW Government’s draft Planning Guidelines for Wind Farms are on public exhibition until March 14.
Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development announced
Environment and Water Minister Tony Burke has appointed an interim committee of experts to provide independent scientific advice on coal seam gas and large coal mining.
QR National gets green light on Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project EIS
The Queensland Co-ordinator General has declared the Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project (CQIRP) as a “significant project”, clearing the way for QR National to embark on the environmental impact statement.
Grants announced under NSW Weeds Action program
The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson has announced $8 million in funding for weed management across NSW.
Wind power no threat to human health
The Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), a national coalition of health care groups, has released findings that disproves any correlation between wind power and decreased human health.
$400 million wind farm for Victoria
Spanish company Acciona has announced it will construct a $400 million wind farm in Victoria’s Western District, six years after it received planning approval.