THE Green Building Council of Australia has bowed to pressure from the Federal Government and the national forestry union to adopt an industry-backed certification scheme for sustainable timber.
The deal was brokered between federal Forestry Minister Tony Burke and the council in meetings last week, and will be announced today.
It means the Australian Forestry Standard for sustainable timber will now be considered as part of ''green star'' ratings of new buildings for environmental impact and energy use.
The council had previously considered only the stricter and internationally recognised Forestry Stewardship Council certification scheme for sustainable timber but has come under immense pressure from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and state and federal forestry ministers in recent months to relax its standards.
Environmentalists say the Australian standard is less environmentally credible than the internationally recognised Stewardship Council scheme, because it certifies 90 per cent of all timber chopped down in Australia as sustainable.
Currently, the Forestry Stewardship Council certifies only 5 per cent of the world's timber as being harvested in a sustainable manner. The Green Building Council's chief executive, Romilly Madew, said yesterday that the council would now consider timber with any sustainability certification from the start of 2010 and include it in green-star ratings for new buildings if it met five general criteria.
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Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, 2009-11-29, Link
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
2009-11-29
2009-11-14
Green Boost For Office Buildings
The energy efficiency of commercial office buildings is the focus of a new national scheme designed to boost the green credentials of work spaces.
From the second half of 2010, building owners will be required to provide up-to-date energy efficiency information when selling or leasing office space covering more than 2,000 square metres.
"This means all parties - the building owner and potential buyers or tenants - will have access to consistent, credible and meaningful information about a building's energy efficiency and [be able to] make informed decisions when they buy or rent office space," said Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, announcing the scheme in a statement yesterday.
"Greener offices are not only more comfortable to work in, they can also boost productivity, bring down sick leave, support green building industry jobs and have the potential to deliver savings of 20-40 per cent on energy bills," he said.
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Source: G-Online, 2009-11-13, Link
From the second half of 2010, building owners will be required to provide up-to-date energy efficiency information when selling or leasing office space covering more than 2,000 square metres.
"This means all parties - the building owner and potential buyers or tenants - will have access to consistent, credible and meaningful information about a building's energy efficiency and [be able to] make informed decisions when they buy or rent office space," said Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, announcing the scheme in a statement yesterday.
"Greener offices are not only more comfortable to work in, they can also boost productivity, bring down sick leave, support green building industry jobs and have the potential to deliver savings of 20-40 per cent on energy bills," he said.
.../
Source: G-Online, 2009-11-13, Link
It's The Real Solar Thing
ENERGY efficiency is a major feature of the new $85 million Coca-Cola Amatil distribution centre at Eastern Creek which came into operation last week.
It is partly powered by nearly 700 solar panels, which line the roof.
The 110-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is the largest in the country and cost the company $1.2 million to install.
It is expected to generate 148 megawatt hours of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 148 tonnes and supplying more than 15 per cent of the distribution centre's annual energy needs annually.
The 30,000-square-metre warehouse, in Roussell Road, employs 250 staff.
It has energy-saving lighting controls and has water tanks to harvest 240,000 litres of rainwater.
The distribution centre is awaiting approval for a green-star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Warwick White, Coca-Cola Amatil's managing director, Australia, said the company had invested significantly in water- and energy-saving technology to achieve environmental leadership in the beverage industry.
.../
Source: Blacktownsun, 2009-11-10, Link
It is partly powered by nearly 700 solar panels, which line the roof.
The 110-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is the largest in the country and cost the company $1.2 million to install.
It is expected to generate 148 megawatt hours of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 148 tonnes and supplying more than 15 per cent of the distribution centre's annual energy needs annually.
The 30,000-square-metre warehouse, in Roussell Road, employs 250 staff.
It has energy-saving lighting controls and has water tanks to harvest 240,000 litres of rainwater.
The distribution centre is awaiting approval for a green-star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Warwick White, Coca-Cola Amatil's managing director, Australia, said the company had invested significantly in water- and energy-saving technology to achieve environmental leadership in the beverage industry.
.../
Source: Blacktownsun, 2009-11-10, Link
2009-11-07
Australia Gives AU$16.4m To Reduce GHG Emissions
Installation of renewable energy solutions such as solar electric panels and solar film are prominent among 37 projects funded by the Australian Department for Innovation, Industry, Science & Research.
“AU$16.4 million worth of projects make up the third round of the AU$90m Green Building Fund, a Rudd government initiative that reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by retrofitting commercial office buildings,” says minister Kim Carr.
“Projected savings in GHG emissions from projects supported by the fund so far total over 101,000 tonnes a year. These projects combat climate change and support Australia’s economic recovery by generating investment of almost US$75m.”
.../
Source: Reinforced Plastics, 2009-11-04, Link
“AU$16.4 million worth of projects make up the third round of the AU$90m Green Building Fund, a Rudd government initiative that reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by retrofitting commercial office buildings,” says minister Kim Carr.
“Projected savings in GHG emissions from projects supported by the fund so far total over 101,000 tonnes a year. These projects combat climate change and support Australia’s economic recovery by generating investment of almost US$75m.”
.../
Source: Reinforced Plastics, 2009-11-04, Link
2009-10-18
Australia Looks to Capture Green Opportunities in China
Australian building companies are set to benefit from China’s commitment to a sustainable future with a new agreement with China on sustainable urban development in Hunan Province.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will today be signed by Austrade’s Regional Director for North East Asia Laurie Smith and the Mayor of the Changsha Municipal Government Mr Jianfei Zhang.
Birthplace of Chairman Mao, Changsha is the capital of Hunan province in rapidly developing interior China, and is set to link up with two neighbouring cities Zhujiang and Xiangtan to form an urban centre of 13 million.
Austrade’s Regional Director for North East Asia said that it is in inland cities – or tier 2 cities – like Changsha where Austrade sees strong potential for Australian companies to deliver green building expertise.
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Source: The Gov Monitor, 2009-10-15, Link
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will today be signed by Austrade’s Regional Director for North East Asia Laurie Smith and the Mayor of the Changsha Municipal Government Mr Jianfei Zhang.
Birthplace of Chairman Mao, Changsha is the capital of Hunan province in rapidly developing interior China, and is set to link up with two neighbouring cities Zhujiang and Xiangtan to form an urban centre of 13 million.
Austrade’s Regional Director for North East Asia said that it is in inland cities – or tier 2 cities – like Changsha where Austrade sees strong potential for Australian companies to deliver green building expertise.
.../
Source: The Gov Monitor, 2009-10-15, Link
2009-10-11
Australia Ethical Investment Opens Property Trust
Australian Ethical Investment has launched a new property trust, a fund that invests in energy efficient buildings with a minimum 5-Star Green Star rating.
The trust, which was launched by Caroline Le Couteur, Greens MLA in Canberra, aims to provide long-term capital growth and a moderate income stream.
It attempts to provide 3 per cent returns above the annual consumer price index (CPI) over five year periods. Robert Sharf is the portfolio manager of the Property Trust.
The trust was launched at 64 Allara Street building, a 5 Star Green Star building, that is the first asset of the trust.
"A range of independent studies has confirmed that green building practices improve an asset's value by securing tenants more quickly, commanding higher rents or prices, enjoying lower tenant turnover and costing less to operate and maintain," said Romilly Madew, chief executive at Green Building Council of Australia.
"Investors wanting to do the right thing by the environment will also do the right thing financially."
Source: Financial Standard, 2009-10-09, Link
The trust, which was launched by Caroline Le Couteur, Greens MLA in Canberra, aims to provide long-term capital growth and a moderate income stream.
It attempts to provide 3 per cent returns above the annual consumer price index (CPI) over five year periods. Robert Sharf is the portfolio manager of the Property Trust.
The trust was launched at 64 Allara Street building, a 5 Star Green Star building, that is the first asset of the trust.
"A range of independent studies has confirmed that green building practices improve an asset's value by securing tenants more quickly, commanding higher rents or prices, enjoying lower tenant turnover and costing less to operate and maintain," said Romilly Madew, chief executive at Green Building Council of Australia.
"Investors wanting to do the right thing by the environment will also do the right thing financially."
Source: Financial Standard, 2009-10-09, Link
2009-08-08
Green Building to Dodge Electricity Bills
A Tasmanian developer is proposing the state's first building powered entirely by alternative energy sources.
The medical centre is being built in Lindisfarne on Hobart's eastern shore.
Bob Walker wants to install five 12-metre high wind turbines on light poles in the car park.
The proposal to power it with by wind and solar energy has been submitted to the Clarence City Council.
It will also use geothermal energy from the ground to heat the building.
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Source: ABC News, 2009-08-04, Link
The medical centre is being built in Lindisfarne on Hobart's eastern shore.
Bob Walker wants to install five 12-metre high wind turbines on light poles in the car park.
The proposal to power it with by wind and solar energy has been submitted to the Clarence City Council.
It will also use geothermal energy from the ground to heat the building.
…/
Source: ABC News, 2009-08-04, Link
2009-07-31
Australia Vows to Create 50,000 "Green" Jobs
Australia's prime minister promised Thursday to create 50,000 “green” jobs and apprenticeships to combat climate
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has prioritized environmental legislation this year even as his government forecast that Australian unemployment would rise to 8.5 per cent next year from the current 5.8 per cent because of the global downturn.
The government I lead will not stand idly by while thousands of young Australians have their hopes crushed by a global recession not of their own making,” Mr. Rudd told a conference of his Labor Party.
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Source: The Globe and Mail News, 2009-07-31, Link
2008-11-11
A New Green Office at Robina, Queensland
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) plans to develop a green office building at Robina, Queensland.
The nine-storey office building, named as Cornerstone, will provide 18,000 sqm of Grade A office space. It is designed to comply with the 5-star Green-star design rating by Green Building Council of Australia.
It is reported that the tower is designed by Nettleton Tribe Architects.
The nine-storey office building, named as Cornerstone, will provide 18,000 sqm of Grade A office space. It is designed to comply with the 5-star Green-star design rating by Green Building Council of Australia.
It is reported that the tower is designed by Nettleton Tribe Architects.
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