Browsing: Energy efficiency

• Garrett fast-tracks bulb phase-out
  
• Coalition keeps the heat on Rudd over solar panel rebate
  
• Cities join forces to push for greener offices
  
• Cement sector reports in

The Queensland Budget has massively increased funding for the state EPA.

Shadow climate change and environment minister Greg Hunt, Greens' Senator Christine Milne, the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and Greenpeace respond to the Productivity Commission's criticisms of MRET.



Plus, the upstream oil and gas industry tells Roger Wilkins what programs should be axed once emissions trading is underway.

There is no case for accompanying emissions trading with a mandatory renewable energy target, a low emissions technology target or an energy efficiency target, says a Productivity Commission submission to the Garnaut review, released this afternoon.

NSW flags assessment fee hike for chemical destruction technologies

* Wong steers steady course in international talks

* Australia's forests offset 9% of emissions, government report says

* Turnbull slams solar rebate means test

* National Pollutant Inventory overhauls fuel tanks manual

* New Zealand Budget flags major push on energy efficient homes

* Pew Centre looks at trading lessons from the EU

A PwC survey of more than 100 senior power utility executives across the globe - including 15 in Australia - shows industry expectations of 'clean coal' are generally low, and most believe nuclear power will edge out renewables as the technology having the biggest impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

The need for business leadership on sustainability is now 'greater than ever', Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last night told a business forum in Canberra.



Leadership on energy efficiency is particularly crucial, the Prime Minister said.

The Queensland parliament yesterday passed legislation mandating that medium to large energy users conduct audits, submit energy savings plans to the government and publicly release information on their progress in saving energy. But the legislation backs down on an initial commitment to require businesses to implement measures with a payback of three years or less.



The Clean Energy Bill also introduces the state's solar feed-in tariff, increases the state's Gas Scheme target and introduces new provisions for underground coal gasification.

It's Labor's first commitment period – with the Rudd government last night setting out where its climate change and environment cash will be spent over 2008-2012. New Budget climate measures will get $341.6 million in 2008-09 and a total of $2.3 billion over 2007-08 to 2011-12.



Meanwhile, Treasurer Wayne Swan says the review of the tax system – due to report by the end of 2009 – will 'look at the role to be played by environmental taxes'.

CE Daily looks at where the money will go and guides you through the maze of Budget papers.

• National Water Commission to scrutinise water use by mines
  
• Federal energy program issues detailed efficiency guide
  
• NSW issues exemptions for land-applied wastes
  
• Shipping company fined $35,000
  
• Queensland council fined $40,000
  
• National Pollutant Inventory offers training on new reporting system
  
• Queensland EPA offers sustainability grants
  
• GM crops a boon for regional economies, ABARE says