Hub Australia is opening its flex-impact program for small or start-up businesses, offering free desks at its locations to purpose-driven businesses working to make a positive difference to their community and environment. Eligible businesses need to have been operating for 12 months. Last year the organisation provided 62 memberships across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and […]
Posted inTechnology
Meet the winning businesses in Boomerang Lab’s new accelerator cohort
BRAD by Banish, a green startup founded by 2023 Young Australian of the Year, Lottie Dalziel, along with 12 other NSW late-stage circular economy startups, is one of the companies selected by Boomerang Labs’ six-month accelerator program.
Posted inEnvironment
Australia, shame on you – you’re the third worst country in the world for animal extinction
Australia is the third highest country for threatened species facing extinction, and 12.5 per cent of the nation’s unique animals are at risk.
Posted inEnvironment
A new nature positive certification rewards companies looking to save the world
Global GreenTag International has announced a nature positive certification for products that focus on repairing nature and the climate.
Posted inPlanning
Decarbonising transport for our health
The road transport system is responsible for almost 20 per cent of Australia’s fossil fuel emissions.
Posted inUrbanism
Efficiencies alone won’t provide water security
WATER SERIES: According to water expert Professor Stuart Khan, droughts – and the rate at which we can run out of water as a consequence – are speeding up. Around the country coastal cities now rely on desalination plants as a matter of course to provide water security. There’s a “purification” or recycling plant ready […]
Posted inNews from the Front Desk
On the quality of water that leaves our buildings and why we need to care
In 2019 when we ran a story that 90 towns in regional New South Wales were on the verge of evacuation because they were running out of water, it caused a sensation.
PROMOTED
How an Agreement to Rate can close the energy performance gap
NABERS has introduced the Agreement to Rate process to help planners and policymakers close the gap between energy efficient building design and actual energy performance.
Posted inUrbanism
There’s a drought coming – are we ready?
With Australia on on the brink of another extended dry period, are we any better prepared that the last time?
Posted inUrbanism
City Portrait project shows just how ‘liveable’ Melbourne could be
Regen Melbourne has revealed a data-driven portrait of Greater Melbourne that will act as a new compass for the city’s progress.
Posted inFinance
Sustainable finance: Australia is on the right track, but moving too slowly
This week, GBCA and the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute released a practical guide to drive greater understanding of sustainable finance.
Posted inUrbanism
Why property owners need to be as serious about water as they are about energy
GPT’s sustainability innovations delivery manager, Dale O’Toole, says getting your head around water neutrality is not easy.
Posted in360info
Tapping into water solutions to close development gap
Despite the best intentions, talk from the top hasn’t sufficiently trickled down to widespread actions. A water initiative is trying to help change that.
Posted inGovernment
Sunshine Coast Council has ambitions for net zero
The Sunshine Coast Council released its sixth annual environment and liveability strategy on Monday, as it moves towards zero net emissions.
Posted inConstruction & Development
How one CRC is trying to change the game in construction – several sectors at once
DEEP DIVE: Now in its third year the Building 4.0 CRC remains firm in industry targets of 30 per cent reduction in production costs, 80 per cent reduction in construction waste and 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions. It also aims to create new high-skill jobs and train 7000 apprentices in new technologies. But how does it plan to get there?
Posted inJobs and Biz News
Jobs and biz news: Fleetwood; BUPA funds startups; CIBSE Young Engineers; and the latest on universities
The latest in jobs and biz news on Fleetwood, startup competition, CIBSE Young Engineer awards and university green news.
Posted inSpinifex
We need yet more land – or some good solutions
Housing affordability: the hunt for worthwhile development land is maturing in NSW, but the state is still at the goo-goo thumb-sucking stage.
Posted in360info
What is COP and why should I care?
Progress on climate issues may be slow but COP remains the best mechanism for pressuring governments to make the changes needed to avert catastrophe.
Posted inSpinifex
A circular economy can turn waste into wealth – time to cash in
Amid the rising tide of environmental crises, Australia stands at a crossroads. Our collective future on the planet, our ecosystems’ health, and our businesses’ prosperity hang in the balance. It’s time to recognise that a circular economy isn’t just an idealistic dream; it’s the pragmatic pathway to a sustainable and carbon zero future.
Posted inClimate Change
As potholes and storm damage gets bigger so does the burden on local council
In the last severe floods in New South Wales radio reports told of severe damage to roads, opening massive potholes and ratepayers are taking on the cost.
Posted inNews from the Front Desk
On calls for concrete action, not spin; Queensland hands out grants for gas as the planet burns; and why the YIMBYs could be the ones to make tax reform a thing for housing
What a week!
Meetings, big conferences in Melbourne and Sydney, strategy launches, housing events and the sense of urgency speeding up. Thankfully.
Posted inArchitecture
Ray Brown on column grids, resilient buildings and the need to speed things up
The Fifth Estate interviewed chief executive of Australia’s biggest architectural practice Ray Brown for our podcast How to Build a Better World. Here’s our take of the highlights. Ray Brown is a man who likes to cover his bases. As the chief executive of Architectus, now a company that employs more than 700 people after […]
Posted inBusiness & Politics
Are we there yet? NSW takes a look at its decarbonisation strategy
If there is one sector that has emerged as the most important to decarbonise as part of NSW – and Australia’s – pitch to compete on the global stage it’s sustainable finance, and finance for sustainability.
Posted inClimate Change
AHURI rips into federal government inaction on helping cities adapt to climate change
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute released new research on Thursday, tearing into government inaction and the lack of strong direction in helping its cities and towns cope with climate change impact, including a lack of legislation and funding.
Posted inJobs and Biz News
Jobs and Biz News: Hydrowood; Flow Power; Colouring Australia; data and AI action
News roundup of what’s happening in the sustainability industry.
Posted inThe Conversation
Heat, cold, pollution, noise and insects: too many apartment blocks aren’t up to the challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the impacts of air quality on high-rise living. However, apartments face a range of atmospheric challenges. These include air and noise pollution, temperature and weather extremes, bushfire smoke and insects.
Posted inSpinifex
Poll on electric homes – 11 barriers that home owners say is stopping them
Tim Forcey reveals the most common reasons members the My Efficient Electric Home Facebook group stopping members from getting off gas.
Posted inThe Conversation
Our minds handle risk strangely – and that’s partly why we delayed climate action so long
With just an estimated six years left before we blow our carbon budget to stay below 1.5°C of warming. How do we respond to threats?
Posted inUrbanism
Electric vehicles are our future, but we need more infrastructure, and EVs are complex
Almost all Asia Pacific countries have committed to phasing out new internal combustion engines (ICE) before 2050.
Posted inHousing
Buy your architecturally designed apartment plans and get speedy approvals – thanks Victorian Government Architect
Housing crisis: Victoria’s Future Homes project provides adaptable designs for three storey apartment buildings that can be bought by developers, housing organisations and others for $15,000. The program offers fast track approvals and “really good design” sourced via a rigorous competition involving some of the state’s top architectural firms.