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Newsletters
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News storiesSBA applauds Bob Carr appointment Sustainable Business Australia's CEO Andrew Petersen has applauded the Prime Minister's appointment of Bob Carr as Australia's new Minister for Foreign Affairs and pointed out that Mr Carr's strong credentials and depth of knowledge extend far beyond his new portfolio. "SBA has always had deep respect for former NSW Premier Carr's leadership on the sustainability agenda, because of his work in setting up the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, his creation of wilderness areas and, under his stewardship, the establishment in NSW of the world's first emissions trading scheme, besides many other initiatives," Andrew Petersen said. Not long after winning government in 1995, Mr Carr banned canal estates in NSW because of their potential impact on water quality in river systems and he also implemented an election promise to save coastal forests slated for logging from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border by gazetting 120,000 hectares and eventually creating 100 new national parks. In its first term Bob Carr's government also banned the removal of old-growth vegetation from NSW farmlands, which was counted as a serious anti-greenhouse gas measure, helping Australia achieve its Kyoto targets. Then, in January 2003 the Carr government launched the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme, which set a limit on carbon emissions by electricity retailers and which was listed by the World Bank as the world's first carbon trading scheme. "Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr will certainly boost Australia's profile and presence at the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development in June and I will not be surprised now to see Australia's profile and activities there being elevated," Mr Petersen said. "Bob Carr's reputation precedes him around the world and SBA believes that he may be the right Foreign Minister for Australia at a critical time for sustainability in the wider sense - a time of major global economic and environmental concerns, which will require an knowledgeable approach to handle the delicate foreign policy issues that will arise along the way at leading fora such as the G20, APEC and Rio+20." EcoForum Carbon Package good for business Australian business and APEC in carbon capability program for Vietnam and Indonesia April Pressler, SBA's new national manager CEO Andrew Petersen told The Fifth Estate this week that the position of national manager had been now expanded to include communications and membership. Ms Pressler is a former government journalist and public affairs officer, specialising in Australia's international media programs and visits to Australia. She was head of public affairs at Australian embassies in Mexico, Italy and the Philippines. Focus on infrastructure and environment in NSW budget SBA says the Clean Energy Law Package is all about Efficiency, Fairness and Integrity Australian business will be part of the clean industrial revolution SBA benefactor member takes out prestigious environmental award The IECA award, won against strong global competition, is in recognition of an outstanding erosion and/or sediment control project, program, or system that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection. More... SBA welcomes new CEO Cancun COP16/CMP/16 Virtual Access and Webcasts ACRE Renewable Energy $100 million Venture Capital Fund (REVC) EBA now Sustainable Business Australia Latest member to join SBA Update economic thinking from last century Business group wants next PM to deliver a 'green economy' Wealth generation opportunities in tackling climate change EBA welcomes Labor's Carbon Farming Initiative Business pressures Government for ETS Progressive business advocacy letter Business groups decry lack of certainty in Gillard climate We cannot afford to wait until 2012 for a price on carbon EBA engages Prime Minister's agenda Fiona Wain interviewed on ABC's Lateline Business program Fiona Wain quoted in response to the ETS delay announcement Premier's Council on Climate Change Reports regarding delay of the CPRS EBA supports energy efficiency communique EBA welcomes RET approach Environment Business Australia says "look at the economic benefits of climate action not just the costs" EBA pushes for solutions in Copenhagen These are just some of the immediately scalable projects that industry can deliver. Immediate requirements from negotiators are support for a practical approach to project economics - a lifecycle approach to capex, opex, collateral damage avoided, and commercial benefits now and in the future. Business should have a direct voice in negotiations. Innovation in technology, infrastructure and finance is integral to the future of the environment, economy, and international security. For full report see: www.iisd.ca Climate costs up front worth gains later Australia must not miss out on the massive biosequestration opportunity to tackle climate change Fears investment in clean energy to stall Refocus CPRS to deliver commercial solutions says EBA Build new value and resilience into the economy EBA carbon bio-sequestration forum
Giles Parkinson, BusinessGreen, 27 Jul 2009 Australian carbon management group Carbon Planet has decided to seek a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange after being told by local and international investors that they would prefer it to be a publicly listed company. To secure a listing, the company has struck a deal with IT company M2M which effectively amounts to a reverse takeover.  Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009 24 July 2009 EBA will host the Carbon Market Expo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre from 26 to 28 October. The Expo is co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Emissions Trading Forum, with foundation support from the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council. Timed to follow the Australian Parliament's consideration of pending emissions trading legislation, and to precede the Copenhagen UN conference in December, the program is currently being finalised. Earlybird delegate and exhibitor registrations are open until 31 July and interested sponsors, to join Macquarie Bank and Baker & McKenzie, are encouraged to contact EBA as soon as possible. See www.carbonexpo.com.au where the sponsorship prospectus is available. Opportunities beyond carbon2 July 2009 Attend the book launch seminar at Tusculum House, 3 Manning Street, Potts Point, Sydney, on Friday 10 July, to hear some of the 28 authors tell their stories of the opportunities they see for communities, business, investors, nations and the world. Greenhouse count up 2 July 2009 A 21 meter sign near Penn Station in New York is now showing the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere as it happens. Launched by the Deutsche Bank, the Carbon Counter displays the running total amount of long-lived greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere, measured in metric tons. At current rates, the counter's figures are expected to rise by 2 billion tonnes a month. Greenlight attracts REEEP funding for Pacific energy efficiency project 3 June 2009 EBA member Greenlight Technology Group is one of the Australian companies whose innovative idea has been chosen for support from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership in the Pacific region. It was announced that four organisations have been selected and three additional waitlisted to receive the $1.5 million on offer for innovative climate change projects in the Pacific. www.gltg.com.au Climate Change Secretary Combet addresses EBA Forum 9 May 2009 Addressing the EBA Energy Productivity Forum in Sydney on 29 April, Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, said that the Government initiatives, combined with the private sector investment they will generate, will result in tens of billions of dollars worth of investment. He outlined to environmental business leaders the Government's significant program of initiatives to promote energy efficiency and investment in low carbon and renewable energy. "The Government has invested over $8.4 billion in a range of programs to increase energy efficiency and to research, develop, commercialise and deploy low carbon and renewable sources of energy production," said Mr Combet. Energy efficiency key driver for emissions cuts 29 April 2009 Jon Jutsen, the founder and CEO of Energetics, spoke at the EBA Forum on 29 April about the drivers needed to roll out energy productivity innovation in Australia. Energy efficiency is the fastest and most economical way to reduce carbon emissions at industrial, commercial and household levels, and major energy productivity programs are a key element of building new markets, new industries and new jobs. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that energy efficiency has the potential to achieve over 35% of the entire greenhouse gas reduction task. Green drive must step up a gear 22 April 2009 In an opinion piece published in The Australian Financial Review on Wednesday, 22 April 2009, Peter Newman, Mike Young and Fiona Wain plug the electric car as a vital part of the government's green growth initiatives. YES WE CAN - Australia's role in the "Global green new deal" 18 March 2009 During two recent Forums YES WE CAN - Australia's role in the "Global green new deal", EBA further developed the theme of building new markets, new industries and new jobs as the world tackles climate change. Download: The latest science on the climate change challenge from one of the world's leading climate scientists, Dr David Karoly, School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne; IPCC author; member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.
New markets, new industries, new jobs need climate action now 13 March 2009 A major Australian business group today rejected calls for the deferral of the introduction of an Australian carbon emissions trading scheme. EBA writes to the Prime Minister on the release of the CPRS legislation 5 March 2009 Strong climate action vital for a vibrant economy 5 March 2009 Build new markets, new industries, new jobs - that's the way to tackle climate change. And now is the time to invest in creating hundreds of thousands of high quality 'carbon-light' jobs says Environment Business Australia. Imagine Australia being a regional 'hub' for minerals processing and manufacturing and having 100% of electricity from renewable energy by 2030. We can do that with 'mega clean energy parks' run on solar thermal, geothermal, marine and wind energy. New markets, new industries, new jobs 2 March 2009 Environment Business Australia completely disagrees with the call to delay the start of emissions trading. EBA highlights the potential for massive jobs growth in a Global Green New Deal. Making the economy smarter and more efficient backed up with a new governance structure for markets - replace short-termism and eliminate the collateral damage of waste, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Now is the time to invest in the green industrial revolution 3 February 2009 Australia could create millions of new jobs by embracing a Global Green New Deal fast-tracking energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure. Today's stimulus package is a big step in the right direction for reductions to greenhouse emissions, to create jobs and set the tone for a clean energy future for the country. EBA provides evidence to Parliamentary Committee Uploaded 12 January 2009 Fiona Wain represented EBA at the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee (Treaties Committee - Kyoto Protocol). Fiona highlighted the role of new markets, new industries and new employment opportunities but emphasised that this commercial potential would only be realised if Government sets a suitable policy framework that unleashes the business sector’s capacity to generate commercial investment, innovative financing and rapid deployment of cleaner technologies. New EBA secretariat office in Sydney 12 January 2009 EBA has moved its national secretariat office from Canberra to Sydney. EBA's contact details have changed. An opportunity missed 15 December 2008 There have been times in history when wise people intervened to secure a better future. But today Australia did not seize the full opportunity to drive deep cuts or build its next competitive edge. Poznan communiqué 8 December 2008 The Australian Financial Review today includes a feature on the Poznan communiqué, signed by over 140 leading international companies, which calls for meaningful emissions reduction targets of between 25% and 40% by 2020. With hindsight and foresight 3 December 2008 With hindsight we know we have been dominated by an abundance of large illusions. Foresight gives us an opportunity to do things differently from here on. EBA input to Parliamentary Hearing on Kyoto Protocol 24 November 2008 Representing EBA, Fiona Wain today contributed to a Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the Kyoto Protocol on innovative approaches to supporting businesses lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Investors say 'no price cap and no fixed price' 5 November 2008 An international gathering of finance and carbon market experts has called on the Australian Government to avoid a price cap or fixed price for emissions permits. Support the petition Alliance for urgent climate change action 30 October 2008 The Alliance for Clean and Efficient Energy (ACE2) is an initiative of concerned business and community groups calling for considerable resources to be urgently mobilised to tackle climate change. Press release: Economic benefits in tackling climate change 30 October 2008 The world is on the cusp of a new technological era capable of delivering energy, goods and services without carbon pollution. Investment into the infrastructure and job creation that will deliver low carbon economies must not be derailed by current financial market turmoil. EBA 's response to the final Garnaut report September 2008 EBA Garnaut review- do what's feasible September 2008 EBA welcomes depth and breadth of Green Report July 2008 EBA's initial response to the Gaurant Review Draft Report July 2008 EU says ' No-Lose' Carbon limits may lure poor nations May 2008 How confusing - mixed signals from uninformed commentors April 2008 Letter to the Australian rebutting Prof. Don Aitken April 2008 EBA calls on government for strong policies 6 December 2008 EBA joins global business leaders 30 November 2007 EBA Welcomes Rudd 28 November 2007 Business body makes climate change plea 7 November 2007 Environment Business Australia (EBA) has written an open letter to both the Australian labor Party and Liberal Party, calling for bipartisan support of climate change. Business group calls for Government to set greenhouse targets 10 September 2007 Environment Business Australia today called for the Federal Government to commit to binding targets for greenhouse gas emission cuts. In Its report, targets for our future, EBA recommends cuts of 60% by 2050, with an interium target by 2020. NPI would deliver GHG reporting in half the time and under half the cost A study by KPMG concludes a national greenhouse gas reporting scheme could be implemented much more quickly and much more cheaply through the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) than through new fed legislation. Huge opportunities ahead in energy efficiency, zero emissions energy, and carbon offsets - so start now on emissions trading - says Environment Business Australia. March 2007 Employment and financial opportunity in carbon trading and ‘Cleantech’ era. March 2007 Agricultural offsets in a carbon trading world February 2007 As the search for solutions to climate change speeds up there are significant commercial and financial opportunities with tremendous employment opportunities for Australians says the peak organisation for the environment and sustainability industry. Global Renewables and Lend Lease win multi-billion dollar contract to tackle waste and greenhouse gas emissions February 2007 The green credentials of Australian industry were given a significant boost with the announcement that a major waste management contract in the UK would focus on recycling materials and embodied energy, trapping and destroying greenhouse gases, and producing a natural fertiliser from putrescible waste. Carbon emissions trading - bold decisions made now will pay dividends Canberra, 1 March 2005 The development of a State and Territory based carbon emissions trading system which was announced in a joint communique on 30 March by State and Territory Ministers is a welcome stimulus to the urgent need to combat climate change. Climate change - our biggest threat Canberra, 25 January 2005 Climate change is the single biggest threat facing the world - and it is already affecting many countries. Action to intensify steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions either by abatement or mitigation is urgently needed and the International Taskforce on Climate has released their far-reaching report "Meeting the Climate Challenge". Action beyond Kyoto January 2005 The Kyoto Protocol which has now come into force internationally is a wake up call and an initial stepping stone - a very basic framework for action. But to avoid dangerous climate change the world needs to do much more in order to avoid an average temperature rise of 2 degrees Centigrade compared with the beginning of the industrial age. The stone age did not end because of a shortage of stone Australia's coal age will not end because of a shortage of coal 7 September 2004 Clean energy and renewable energy sources must be the key to our vision for the future 7 August 2004 EBA interim submission on the Energy White Paper to Prime Minister and Members of Cabinet; the CoAG Energy Review Secretariat; and the Senate Inquiry into the Energy White Paper |
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