Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - May, 2011
Senior climate change advisor to the Prime Minister, Professor Ross Garnaut, has called for the establishment of an independent umpire with the authority to force the federal government to make alterations to emissions targets.
As part of his final report into climate change, Professor Garnaut recommended the creation of a statutory body to prevent policy being unduly interfered with by special interest groups and lobbies.
The proposed umpire would set emissions targets and trading caps separately from government policy makers, forcing the federal government to create policy around its findings.
2019 the revised date for Murray Darling diversions
Following meetings in Adelaide over the weekend, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council has agreed to push back the starting date to 2019 for all communities in the Murray Darling Basin to adjust to diversion limits.
Germany to discontinue nuclear power
Germany has announced its intentions to shut down all of its 17 nuclear power plants by 2022 amid a strong political revival of the country’s Green Party.
Electronic waste a potential trade breach
Recent findings published by the ABC have shown that substantial amounts of electronic waste, such as monitors, computers and televisions, are being smuggled off-shore to be handled by developing nations.
Dick Smith slams population strategy
Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith has slammed the Australian government’s ‘Sustainable Strategy’ as “meaningless calls for sustainability” that serves only to “accelerate us towards the precipice”.
46% of carbon tax revenue to go to industry
The Federal Government has announced that 46% of all revenue raised by the Government’s proposed carbon tax would be allocated to industry, while the majority of the rest being injected into households.
National Water Commission releases water reform options report
A new report that sets out three reform options to ensure Australia's water sector has been released by the National Water Commission.
OECD publishes report on the need for greening
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has called for development of green centred economic growth and labor development.
Bligh attacks Federal Greens
The Green’s plan to build a carbon neutral economy before 2050 by banning coal mines has drawn criticism from Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who has labeled the plan as fanciful and liable to cause an economic and social catastrophe in her state.
Murray Darling Basin Authority needs more funding and less water
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has reported that it will require $38 million in funding this financial year while new research shows that less than 3000 gigalitres will be required for environmental flow.
Bio-derived jet fuel a possibility
A joint research report compiled by CSIRO and major aviation industry representatives shows that economically and environmentally beneficial aviation fuel is a viable proposition in the coming 20 years.
Research looks to mine sewage to improve soil fertility
Scientists in the CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) are working on ways to turn one of the nation’s major urban organic wastes into a safe source of fertility for the continent’s depleted soils.
$20 million damage bill for Queensland's parks
The Queensland Minister for the Environment Kate Jones has announced the final damage cost for the state’s parks, saying that over $20 million will be required to repair Queensland’s parks and forests.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority pledges to consider findings after delay
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has promised to consider the findings of the Windsor Inquiry after it was announced the findings will be delayed from its original May release date.
Victoria releases water roadmap
The Victorian Government has released its first ‘Living Melbourne, Living Victoria’ roadmap for urban water usage and reform.
Research into beach erosion forecasting tool underway
Researchers have begun a project to create the first global tool to forecast how changes in wave patterns and rising sea levels will affect beach erosion.
Council beats own emissions targets
Mount Alexander Shire council has announced that it has beaten its own emissions reductions councils by 8%.
NSW faces class action over tariff cuts
The New South Wales Government is facing a class action suit supported by hundreds of disaffected solar unit installers and homeowners following the Government’s decision to significantly reduce its solar unit tariff program.
Greens push for carbon neutral economy before 2050
The Federal Greens are pushing for the goal of establishing a carbon neutral economy before 2050, saying “The Climate [Change] Commission's (CCC) first report sets out the clear scientific case that Australia must move swiftly to build a zero carbon economy well before 2050”.
Climate Change Commission says climate change a certainty
The peak Australian Government climate change agency, the Climate Change Commission (CCC), has written its most candid assessment of the world’s climate issues to date, saying that ‘there is no doubt that the climate is changing. The evidence is overwhelmingly clear’.
Electric roads could be solution for the electric car
Researchers from the University of Utah are currently working on technology that stands to revolutionize the future of the electric car; the promise of roads that recharge the car that uses it.