Browsing: <a href="/tag/energy-efficiency">Energy efficiency</a> <i class="grey">•</i> <a href="/tag/grants-finance">Grants, finance</a>

• Victorian unveils building upgrade bill
  
• WA regulator issues draft clearing guideline
  
• Government 'cannot and will not' fund environmental lawyers

• Doubling of energy productivity worth almost $60bn
  
• New $400m trust to undertake office upgrades
  
• Ramp-up of LNG projects ends decline in demand for power

Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann have issued the Clean Energy Finance Corporation with a new investment mandate that obliges it to seek a rate of return significantly above market norms.

The clean technology grant program paid millions to already-completed projects and to ones that would have proceeded without funding, says a new audit of the scheme.

The ACT - which is now the only Australian state or territory with legislated targets for renewable energy, emissions reductions and energy efficiency - has issued a new report showing significant progress towards its goals.

The CEFC today announced it will provide $30 million, augmented by a further $50 million from NAB and a funds manager, to finance building improvements such as lighting and HVAC upgrades.

• Senate rejects bill to abolish the CEFC
  
• New certification scheme targets building retrofit professionals
  
• Encourage carbon offsets with co-benefits, report says

• ERF cuts pointless without penalties: Grattan Institute
  
• Low-carbon investment dollars will 'sit on the sidelines'
  
• Seek efficiency gains from existing homes: Master Builders
  
• Carbon price 'costly and ineffective': Refrigerants industry
  
• Farm-based abatement projects won't be the cheapest: NFF

The Coalition will continue to provide loans and financial support for energy efficiency and clean energy even if the CEFC is abolished, with Environment Minister Greg Hunt today indicating he will restore its predecessor organisation (main story corrected).

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has estimated its portfolio of investments are cutting greenhouse gas emissions at less than zero cost, while new legal advice says the Coalition can't interfere or axe it without Parliament's consent.