Browsing: Finance, awards, good practice

In the wake of research showing sustainability reporting is rarely done well, two Australian investor organisations have launched new corporate guidelines – and have identified companies that are leading the way.

• Energy regulator carves 40% off smart meter budgets
  
• Government releases timetable for carbon laws and regulations
  
• Investa wins three NSW environment awards

The Australian Green Infrastructure Council is looking for companies to join round-two trials of its sustainability rating tool, and is also hosting a masterclass on sustainable procurement for infrastructure projects.

Getting your CFO or capex committee to approve an energy efficiency project can be a challenge, but Low Carbon Australia is test-driving some innovative financing schemes that are about to make the task much easier, says Meg McDonald.

• Environmental regulators skill up
  
• Victoria nominates spending priorities for waste levy fund
  
• SP Ausnet issues sustainability report

If you want to become carbon neutral, you need your suppliers on-side, says Rebecca Pearce of commercial real estate company CB Richard Ellis.

• Cougar Energy defends performance in face of Queensland charges
  
• Tasmania seeks comment on new agvet chemicals regulations
  
• Climate politicians to speak at upcoming business conference
  
• Carbon agency to fund office block retrofit

Melbourne's City of Whitehorse aims to increase the proportion of its total procurement budget spent on environmentally-friendly products to 30%, building on achievements that this month earnt it an award for excellence in green procurement.

Most companies are closely watching the Federal carbon price push – and the likely outlines of a deal are starting to emerge – but state, territory and local governments are also taking action that has major implications for business.

Research by NAB and ClimateWorks on retail sector energy efficiency opportunities concludes retailers could add an extra 3% to 14% to EBIT – but they would need to boost capital expenditure by about 25% to do it.