Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
Research at the University of Melbourne and the Bureau of Meterology has overturned conventional ideas of ocean circulation.
Rather than moving simply in large clockwise (northern hemisphere) and anti-clockwise (southern hemisphere) gyres, the open waters of the southeast Indian Ocean are flowing east-west in bands, University of Melbourne PhD candidate Prasanth Divakaran and colleagues have shown.
The findings have important implications for our understanding of all sorts of ocean events from the movements of fish and marine life to the prediction of weather and climate.
Printable nanotech solar cells developed
Australian researchers have invented nanotech solar cells that are thin, flexible and use one hundredth the materials of conventional solar cells.
Victorian Municipal Solid Waste Management audit released
Sustainability Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have not effectively fulfilled their roles in managing municipal solid waste and implementing the Victorian Towards Zero Waste Strategy, according to a report by the Victorian Auditor-General.
Scientists express doubts about Murray-Darling Basin Plan
A letter signed by eight leading ecologists, all members of the Australian Academy of Science, has expressed concern that there is a lack of scientific input to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) water plan.
Green Building Council releases report on carbon tax
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has announced that it backs a price on carbon, provided it is accompanied by complementary measures that support the property and construction industry.
Picture the Future Productivity research released
Siemens Ltd together with the City of Melbourne and Federation Square have joined together to release critical productivity research designed to bring Melbourne back to the liveability standards of #2 and #3 in the world with the release of new Picture the Future Productivity research addressing population growth, emissions intensity and urban congestion for Melbourne and Victoria.
Icthys Browse Basin gas project given green light
The Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has approved Inpex's Ichthys Browse Basin project, including a gas field facility, pipeline and processing facility, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, subject to environmental conditions
Windsor Inquiry and CSIRO disagree on environmental flows
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.
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).