A water efficiency labelling scheme administered by the federal government is not well enforced and about 10% of the products authorised to use the label carry a ‘zero stars’ version that means they don’t meet basic water efficiency standards.
The Federal Government has introduced a bill that will provide tax breaks for carbon sink forests established for the primary purpose of sequestering carbon.
Australia could conduct its first auction of greenhouse gas emission permits in November 2009, just a month after the proposed deadline for companies to lodge their first annual greenhouse gas emissions reports, according to a discussion paper on permit auctioning issued by the states today.
Australia will contribute up to $30 million to a project that aims to protect more than 200,000 hectares of peatland in Indonesia's Kalimantan region, with BHP Billiton also pledging its support.
Despite reports of serious misconduct by water brokers and some legal proceedings pending in NSW, a report for the National Water Commission released today says the claims of misconduct are not widespread and there is no need to introduce a licensing scheme for brokers or for substantial new regulatory measures.
NSW allows application of bauxite processing waste to farms; Garrett takes Downer to task for climate targets comment; NSW approves new coal mine; WA waste oil crisis; and SA and Federal governments to extend water recycling scheme
A Senate inquiry into a bill that would introduce mandatory reporting of greenhouse emissions and energy use today recommended changes so the Bill would not automatically override all state and territory laws requiring reporting of greenhouse emissions and energy use data.
The federal government says it has committed $3.4 billion to the fight against climate change, but its spending so far constitutes only a tiny fraction of the federal budget, shadow environment minister Peter Garrett t told the National Press Club in Canberra today.
Federal and state energy officials today proposed new energy efficiency programs including a 'green lease' scheme for all major new and refurbished government buildings.