Environmental

Superannuation funds increasingly act, invest sustainably

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 11 MAY 2012  |  NEWS
While 80% of superannuation funds have told research firm SuperRatings that they believe they have a responsibility to operate sustainably, only 20-30% of those respondents measure and report energy, waste and water usage regularly.

SAP: sustainability for innovation as well as cost reduction

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 9 MAY 2012  |  NEWS
SAP, the business management software provider, has integrated sustainability metrics into its corporate strategy for both internal cost reductions and as a source of corporate innovation, using a stakeholder body of executives and customers to gather ...

Low Carbon Australia certifies water recycling plant

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 9 MAY 2012  |  NEWS
Low Carbon Australia has certified as carbon neutral Western Water's Class A Recycled Water Plant in Melton, north-west of Melbourne.

LGS audit finds ASX has higher carbon, lower ESG risk

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 2 MAY 2012  |  NEWS
Local Government Super (LGS) has conducted a carbon and ESG audit of its equity portfolios and found that while domestic Australian equities are more carbon intensive, they have a lower ESG risk than international peers.

ASIC details AFS licence process for carbon credit trade

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 2 MAY 2012  |  NEWS
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has published the details of how to register for the licensing process for those intending to provide financial services in carbon units under the federal pricing regime.

Businesses must innovate in response to carbon constraints

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 27 APR 2012  |  NEWS
A carbon-constrained economy presents long-term disruptive change to the business environment that requires innovation to respond with long-term strategies seeking opportunities with new business models, according to Sanjay Sharma, dean of the University ...

Low Carbon Australia to provide financing to foundries

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 27 APR 2012  |  NEWS
Low Carbon Australia has developed a financing program tailored to foundry manufacturers seeking to invest in energy-efficient upgrades to equipment and processes.

Carbon Farming Initiative grants for biochar research

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 27 APR 2012  |  NEWS
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has awarded AU$2m in funding to five research projects that will investigate how farmers can participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) by using biochar to reduce carbon emissions.

UKSIF endorses Natural Capital Declaration

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 APR 2012  |  NEWS
The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has joined National Australia Bank and other institutions in endorsing the Natural Capital Declaration, a financial sector declaration to address the use of natural capital by businesses.

LCA-financed retrofitted office building sells for $12.25m

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 20 APR 2012  |  NEWS
A commercial property in Brisbane that underwent an energy efficient retrofit financed by Low Carbon Australia has been sold for AU$12.25m, representing a 17% internal rate of return (IRR).