Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and state and territory leaders will finalise a comprehensive climate framework in October, yesterday's COAG meeting agreed.
COAG also set out a timetable for reform of environmental approval and assessment processes, endorsed a memorandum of understanding on Murray-Darling Basin management as a precursor to an intergovernmental agreement and agreed to look for ways to ease the regulatory burden on oil and gas exploration and production companies.
EPA Victoria trading scheme to start by mid-year (with audio) * NPI releases new fuel tank emissions handbook, Queensland releases stormwater best practice guide * Defence seeks site remediation companies * Petrol vapour project awarded $480,000 federal grant * 'Don't focus on the green consumer' (audio link)
Only 2% of large businesses confident of their emissions data * ACF says company cars set to guzzle $2 billion a year in tax revenue, urges federal 'green' Budget * Woolies and grocery association contemplate carbon labelling * Allens findings on Gunns mill 'not credible', say researchers *
Regulator praises Sydney Water's conservation efforts * Major economies meeting to air concerns on 50% target, as Bush flags US$2 billion clean technology fund * U.S. watchdog agency urged to look at carbon offset claims *
Five Australian companies feature in global 'top 100' sustainability listing * TV sector warned of 'strong political will' to act on energy efficiency * ACTU chief to speak at Davos sustainability forum * Tasmania to draft contamination audit regulations * Environment chiefs to Garnaut – don't give us the third degree
* Australian Industry Group urges fund for water projects * SA Cabinet looks to Greenhouse Friendly scheme in carbon neutral push * ANU professor sets out health challenges of environmental degradation * Victoria seeks advisory council nominees * Ecolabel scheme proposes new draft standard
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
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
Exactly what did Labor say it would do, how much will it spend and when will it spend it? CE Daily went through Labor's policy documents and statements with a fine-tooth comb and brings you a concise, comprehensive summary of the incoming government's commitments on climate change, water and cleaner coal.
