Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
The Windsor Inquiry, the federal political committee charged with guiding the future of the Murray-Darling river complex, has arrived at an impasse with the CSIRO over the necessity of end-of-system-flows.
The CSIRO has publicly backed the use of environmental flows, known as end-of-system-flows, to ensure the health and sustainability of the river system. The Windsor Inquiry, chaired by Federal Independent Tony Windsor, argues that the use of such flows in the quantity suggested by the CSIRO is unnecessary for a working river such as the Murray
The Windsor Inquiry has argued that recent events, such as the prolonged drought in the region, has proven that environmental flows are not as important as the CSIRO believes them to be.
World heritage listing for Ningaloo Reef
Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef has been officially recognised as world heritage site following the World Heritage Committee's vote in Paris.
Parsons Brinckerhoff achieves A+ for sustainability report
Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Australia-Pacific operations have achieved an A+ rating for its third annual sustainability report.
Greens announce federal portfolios
Federal Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown has announced his party’s portfolio responsibilities as they prepare to take control of the country’s Upper House.
Poll shows waning support for climate action
Only 41% of Australians believe that addressing climate change is a serious and pressing issue according to the results of a poll conducted by the Lowy Institute.
NSW to trial soil carbon trading scheme
The New South Wales Government is sponsoring a trial soil carbon trading scheme in the Lachlan Valley.
South Australia extends solar rebate at lower rates
The South Australian Legislative Council has passed changes to the State Government’s solar power tariff scheme, reducing the feed-in tariff from 54 cents per kilowatt hour to 44 cents.
Melbourne Business School to drive better, greener management practices
The Melbourne Business School (MBS) will drive change and improvements to management practices in small to medium businesses under the Federal government’s Leadership 21 program.
Coastal infrastructure gets $4.5 million to offset climate change risk
The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, has announced a funding injection of $4.5 million to ‘support practical approaches’ in managing climate change impacts on crucial coastal infrastructure and critical assets.
WA releases Kimberly Science and Conservation Strategy
The Western Australian Government has released the state’s Kimberly Science and Conservation Strategy, with funding of $63 million over five years.
Report into future energy security
Geoscience Australia has released its Toward Future Energy Discovery, detailing the outcomes and achievements of the Australian Government’s five-year, $134 million Energy Secruity Initiatve.
CSIRO launches emissions website
The CSIRO has launched its emissions tracking website which allows public users to see how greenhouse gas emissions have steadily increased over the last 35 years.
100% Electric Renault in Australia in 2012
French car manufacturer Renault and electric network supplier Better Place have confirmed their partnership to bring over the all-electric version of its Fluence sedan, the Fluence ‘Z.E’ (zero emission).
Carbon tax plebiscite dispute
The Federal Government and Opposition are embroiled in a bitter dispute over the proposed carbon tax, with the Opposition proposing a non-binding $80 million plebiscite over the issue.
$750 million for solar power stations
The Federal Government will provide more than $750 million to help build two of the largest solar power stations in the world.
Solar thermal research hub launched
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson and Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson officially opened the CSIRO Solar Tower which will focus on solar tower research, development and commercialisation in the Hunter Region.
Tasmania slashes NRM funding
The Tasmanian Government has announced that it is slashing funding for the three Tasmanian Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies.
Visy plans green energy division
Packaging and recycling company, Visy, is planning investment of up to $500 million in clean energy plants around Australia.
Government hails carbon bill a win for regional Australia
The Federal Government has welcomed the passage of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011 through the House of Representatives today, saying farmers, Indigenous Australia and the environment stand to gain the most out of the bill's passage.
Climate change impacts detailed
The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, released updated Climate Change Potential Impacts and Costs fact sheets summarising research into the possible impacts of climate change in each State and Territory.
Over 13 million tonnes of waste diverted from landfill
Waste management services in Australia recovered or reprocessed a total of 13.2 million tonnes of material from waste in 2009-10, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Nationally, this represents a rate of waste diversion from landfill of 42.6%. South Australia had the highest waste diversion rate of 66.3%.