A finance mechanism capable of putting clean energy technology fully into play in the crucial energy choices the world now faces – that's what the head of the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy wants to see.
Alexander Karsner's office is coordinating next week's U.S.-convened major economies meeting, which could play a key role in shaping any such mechanism. Karsner has firm ideas on what will work, based on his experience with a U.S. multi-billion dollar loan guarantee program, and last week briefed Climate Minister Penny Wong. CE Daily reports. (plus audio)
Generators to Garnaut – make sure we can pass on all carbon costs and give us a safety valve * APPEA warns on renewables target * NSW coal-fired generators carrying $15 billion in carbon liabilities
* WWF pushes global Earth Hour (with video) * Australia Institute calls for mandatory carbon charge on flights * Queensland invites bids for ecoBiz funding * Biobanking guide published
Industry association calls for abolition of national energy efficiency program * Federal government says energy efficiency data not up to scratch * EPA Victoria says environmental offsets can lead to better outcomes * SA to trial kerbside food waste program as NSW issues kerbside guide * Nominations open for Tasmanian awards
* Global fuel, power and transport businesses urge renewable energy milestones and greater government efforts * Carbon Disclosure Project urges business to explore supply chain emissions * UK overhauls legislation on nuclear, renewables and carbon capture and storage
WA environment groups score limited win on coal project greenhouse emissions * Energy efficiency expert says draft incandescent plan flawed * Sydney Water expects steep rise in business water savings * Electricity regulator urged to make transmission networks focus more on demand management
TEC lobbies energy rule maker for demand management changes * Leaders set March deadline for MRET expansion plan * Alumina production to drive huge growth in manufacturing energy consumption * EnergyAustralia to spend $600,000 to assuage ACCC concerns over green energy claims
* Green Building Council rethinks timber certification * Federal government seeks advice on climate change and natural resource management * NSW survey confirms major opinion shifts on climate and water
Victoria tweaks mandatory energy and water efficiency scheme * WA orders Wyndham Port to prepare improvement plan * Federal government seeks emissions trading and climate risk experts * New climate department absorbs DFAT climate role * Upstream oil and gas greenhouse emissions up, but intensity down * Office tower owners partner with environment group * Victoria to offer second tranche geothermal permits
Energy ministers approve 'stage two' energy efficiency package * Magistrate fines construction company $95,000 * Carbon risk – more than 40 ASX200 companies could suffer material losses * National Pollutant Inventory releases new guidance * NSW offers renewables funding * Sydney Water issues water conservation guidelines * SA approves $40 million foundry expansion
Vienna waltz – Labor sidesteps on Vienna declaration cuts * WA Parliament passes waste legislation and geothermal amendments * Greg Hunt to take on Wong and Garrett * ABARE says climate change could lead to 19% decline in agriculture productivity * EPA Victoria issues air protocol for mining * WA regulator proposes overhaul of water and wastewater sector * Mothballed Mobil refinery to be home to Adelaide's desal plant * Cleaner coal – union urges faster action and more cash * Co-firing with coal set to be an early beneficiary of Labor's MRET * Strong support for mandatory sustainability reporting * Greywater now main garden water source for 15% of homes
Forestry Tasmania wins out over Bob Brown in EPBC Act appeal * Japan likely to be a key carbon investor – and sayonara to Australia's lower carbon prices? * UNFCCC chief – what Bali must deliver * Victoria's environment minister says number of environmental licences will plummet * Down and dirty – when will soil carbon count? * Australia's geothermal sector plans projects worth almost $1 billion (with audio) * Queensland wind assets sold for $460 million * NZ to calculate primary industry carbon footprints * 'U.S. in denial on climate solution not climate science' * NT Chief Minister takes climate change post *
Survey rates BHP Billiton a top online sustainability communicator * Trail-blazing examples of online sustainability communication * Sydney industrial water recycling project steps on the gas * Queensland set to approve re-use of coal combustion by-products * Business council sets out power sector sustainability strategies
